Why Do Some Christians Act Judgmentally?
(10/19/18) Throughout my time trying to establish what it means to be living the so-called Christian lifestyle, I have met all makes and models of Christians and visited many places they go to worship . The variety of Christians one can meet are infinitely varied, some good, some funny, some even a little ridiculous, some a lot. As the title of this article suggests, there are also judgmental ones, but why? I mean is Christianity really an elitist club where only the select few are welcome? As I have learned to navigate these waters over the years, I have realized that these judgmental Christians do immeasurable harm to not only prospective members, but also the church itself. Let's take a look at the facts and myths about judgmental behavior in the Christian church and what you can do to overcome it.
The first topic I would like to discuss regarding judgment in the church is lack of scriptural knowledge.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." - Matthew 7:1-6
The scripture above is saying that unless one is perfect, they have no business judging others. Trust me, there will always be a log in your eye and it will be huge and scratchy! Ugh. The joys of being a regular human, right? Have you ever heard of projection? It is the idea that a person may point out flaws in others that are actually their own flaws. How many of us have ran into that person? The goal is to make someone else's flaws seem so great, that it makes our own flaws seem less serious to an extent. Now, when you are talking about eternal salvation, the idea of being flawed seems like a one-way ticket to Hell, right? Luckily, the Bible tells us that our salvation lies in our faith in Jesus and not in our actions, but when Church members miss the message, it can become very detrimental to new followers and other church members. Christians should be very conscientious on how they treat visitors in their churches.
That being said, church really is the same as anything in the real world. Crazy concept, right? There are people with problems of all kinds. There are rich people, starving people, angry people, depressed people, racists and people with all sorts of challenges. Just because someone goes to church, doesn't mean they are without their faults. In the end, people are just people no matter what religion, group, or culture they are from. The following is the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Publican), discussing how Jesus feels about people in the Church who celebrate their own righteousness:
"He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. 'Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.'"— Luke 18:9-1
As you can see, Jesus was very expressive of how he felt about Christians who lift themselves up and act like they are entitled to the favor of God over others.
So why should you become Christian or join a church if you have to deal with people that might have judgmental or overly-righteous attitudes? The answer is simple. Because you are needed. The question really should be not what the church can do for you, rather what can you do for your church? Yes, John F. Kennedy already said this using the word "country," but I've been using that phrase my whole life, because it illustrates that regardless of what is happening or who goes to a church, it is up to each individual person to choose to make whatever church they attend, a better place than it was when they found it.
The real fact of the matter is that your relationship with God is your own and nobody else is in charge of that. When someone who claims they are Christian appears to have a critical point of view, pray for them! Satan speaks into the hearts of people through criticism, judgment, and inadequacy. If the enemy can make you feel like you don't belong, he has won the battle, especially when you decide you don't want to return. The church IS the people, not a structure built of wood and stone, because the church is nothing without its people. YOU must be the voice of the church.
This isn't to say you shouldn't find a church that fits your Christian goals however. Belonging to a church that is completely at odds with your value system may not be the place you want to be. If you see sin happening at a church that is not getting addressed openly by the leadership of the church and you've discussed your concerns with them, by all means, join a church that is going to breathe life into your relationship with the Lord. I actually left the denomination I grew up with because the church, as a whole, went against my own values. I now belong to a church that is very pro-community involvement and reaching out to the poor. This is also very important to me, which allowed me to be on the same page, so to speak, with the church I belong.
I hope, with literally my whole heart, that if you don't go to church or if you've been putting off becoming Christian because you have been afraid of encountering judgmental people in the church, that you reconsider the fact that Church is just like any other club. There are bureaucracies and cliques, good people and those in need of work or even a major overhaul, to be honest. Stay away from those people and find the ones who are oozing love and care for others. As 2nd Timothy 3:5 states, "They act as if they worship God, yet they do not let God's power work in their lives. Keep away from people like that." It is so incredibly important to learn from those who love without boundaries, because those are the ones that will show you the way of Christ and what being a Christian should really mean and your soul will thank you for it.
Author: Jason L. Cook
Searchlight Christian Organization
Copyright Date: October 19, 2018
The first topic I would like to discuss regarding judgment in the church is lack of scriptural knowledge.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." - Matthew 7:1-6
The scripture above is saying that unless one is perfect, they have no business judging others. Trust me, there will always be a log in your eye and it will be huge and scratchy! Ugh. The joys of being a regular human, right? Have you ever heard of projection? It is the idea that a person may point out flaws in others that are actually their own flaws. How many of us have ran into that person? The goal is to make someone else's flaws seem so great, that it makes our own flaws seem less serious to an extent. Now, when you are talking about eternal salvation, the idea of being flawed seems like a one-way ticket to Hell, right? Luckily, the Bible tells us that our salvation lies in our faith in Jesus and not in our actions, but when Church members miss the message, it can become very detrimental to new followers and other church members. Christians should be very conscientious on how they treat visitors in their churches.
That being said, church really is the same as anything in the real world. Crazy concept, right? There are people with problems of all kinds. There are rich people, starving people, angry people, depressed people, racists and people with all sorts of challenges. Just because someone goes to church, doesn't mean they are without their faults. In the end, people are just people no matter what religion, group, or culture they are from. The following is the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Publican), discussing how Jesus feels about people in the Church who celebrate their own righteousness:
"He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. 'Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: 'God, I thank you, that I am not like the rest of men, extortioners, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn't even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.'"— Luke 18:9-1
As you can see, Jesus was very expressive of how he felt about Christians who lift themselves up and act like they are entitled to the favor of God over others.
So why should you become Christian or join a church if you have to deal with people that might have judgmental or overly-righteous attitudes? The answer is simple. Because you are needed. The question really should be not what the church can do for you, rather what can you do for your church? Yes, John F. Kennedy already said this using the word "country," but I've been using that phrase my whole life, because it illustrates that regardless of what is happening or who goes to a church, it is up to each individual person to choose to make whatever church they attend, a better place than it was when they found it.
The real fact of the matter is that your relationship with God is your own and nobody else is in charge of that. When someone who claims they are Christian appears to have a critical point of view, pray for them! Satan speaks into the hearts of people through criticism, judgment, and inadequacy. If the enemy can make you feel like you don't belong, he has won the battle, especially when you decide you don't want to return. The church IS the people, not a structure built of wood and stone, because the church is nothing without its people. YOU must be the voice of the church.
This isn't to say you shouldn't find a church that fits your Christian goals however. Belonging to a church that is completely at odds with your value system may not be the place you want to be. If you see sin happening at a church that is not getting addressed openly by the leadership of the church and you've discussed your concerns with them, by all means, join a church that is going to breathe life into your relationship with the Lord. I actually left the denomination I grew up with because the church, as a whole, went against my own values. I now belong to a church that is very pro-community involvement and reaching out to the poor. This is also very important to me, which allowed me to be on the same page, so to speak, with the church I belong.
I hope, with literally my whole heart, that if you don't go to church or if you've been putting off becoming Christian because you have been afraid of encountering judgmental people in the church, that you reconsider the fact that Church is just like any other club. There are bureaucracies and cliques, good people and those in need of work or even a major overhaul, to be honest. Stay away from those people and find the ones who are oozing love and care for others. As 2nd Timothy 3:5 states, "They act as if they worship God, yet they do not let God's power work in their lives. Keep away from people like that." It is so incredibly important to learn from those who love without boundaries, because those are the ones that will show you the way of Christ and what being a Christian should really mean and your soul will thank you for it.
Author: Jason L. Cook
Searchlight Christian Organization
Copyright Date: October 19, 2018