Daily Devotional

-May 20, 2021-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

-Do Not Judge According To Appearance But With Righteous Judgement-

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

(John 7:24).

It is so easy to jump to conclusions based upon on what we see and hear. We often use our personal experiences, and make assumptions. We also hear one side of a story and take sides without even hearing the other side.

The Jews in Jesus’ day, judged Him based on their traditions and not upon the Word of God. They thought they knew Jesus, His family, His hometown, His upbringing, and His education; they made their conclusion accordingly. They rejected Him and because of envy, sought to kill Him. Jesus said of the Pharisees and scribes in Matthew 15:6-9, “…Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you, saying, ‘These people draw near with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

Bill MacDonald, in his Believer’s Bible Commentary, wrote, “The trouble with the Jews was that they judged things according to outward appearance not inward reality. Their judgment was not righteous. Human nature always tends to judge according to sight rather than according to reality.” Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

We must base our decisions and conclusions not on our emotions but on the Word of God. We need to ask ourselves, what does the Bible say? What would Jesus do? We need God’s wisdom and insight into a matter. The word discernment is key. It is defined as, “The ability to judge well.” For us as believers it means “In the process of spiritual discernment God guides the individual to help them arrive at the best decision.”

Do you need to make an important decision today? Perhaps regarding which college to attend, which job to take, what home to buy or rent, which church to attend, or what to buy? Seek the mind of Christ, read the Word of God and pray, and seek godly counsel. Things are not always what they seem. There are repercussions and ramifications we may not consider by ourselves.

May the Lord help us to judge with righteous judgment not according to appearance. Something may seem so good but be so wrong; or seem so wrong or less desirable, but be God’s perfect will for us. He gives the peace in our decisions when we are in His will.

Have a blessed day seeking God’s will and praying for wisdom, insight, and discernment. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean