Make your words sweet, for you might have to eat them!

By Helen Jesze, 13th November 2015

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

Matthew 7:1­2 King James Bible

We were at a conference, and met a young man and his wife who ran a centre for American soldiers (GI’s) in Germany. The man made some remark, and I muttered, “​Typical superficial Americans!” During the service the leader asked ‘Bro. Richard’, who was to have a major and very difficult operation, to come forward, because they wanted to pray for him.

Imagine my embarrassment when I saw the young man go forward, about whom I had made the unkind remark. He had been praising the Lord, talking and laughing, believing God was in control, with no mention of a tumour in his body. We were told the tumour was so large that it could be seen through Richard’s clothes, so although it was hot in the hall, he wore an overcoat to conceal it.

That night I could not sleep. My loveless, judging attitude stared me in the face, and in the morning I rang Richard and told him about my hasty words and judgmental spirit, asking him to forgive me. He did this readily, and I had learned another lesson. How easy it is to be self-­righteous, misunderstanding different cultures and people’s natures, expecting everyone is like us. Of course, they are not, and how good that is!

Criticism is dangerous, for this scripture says we shall be judged with the same measure that we have judged, small or large! The person you hold something against may know nothing about it, but you are being influenced by negative emotions which may even turn to a physical illness one day. Discerning a problem and taking steps to right this or point it out, is different than often or consistently having a judgmental attitude.

Perhaps you need to put something right today. Ask the Holy Spirit to point out any areas in your heart where you are judging, and ask forgiveness today! Your heart will be filled with joy when you obey the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus, help me to watch what I say, so that words of love come out, instead of criticism and biting remarks. Let my heart be so full of your love, that encouraging and uplifting words will flow to others, to bless them and to bring glory to your Name! Amen.