Stepping Stones: Don’t Look Down!

Transformational Thought

We have seen many famous people fall from high places. Tiger Woods, Lindsay Lohan, John and Kate plus 8, Paris Hilton, Ben Roethlisberger, Michael Vick, and many politicians with extramarital wrongdoing. It’s so tempting, so easy…and at times even feels like harmless fun to look down on and judge these once mighty people. Kick them while they’re down, rub salt in their wound.

I’ve been guilty of falling into this trap myself, making callous comments and assuming I am better than that fallen person because I am in a better place at that moment. We all have insecurities and mistakes we’ve made that we are ashamed of. To make ourselves look better, instead of raising our level of play, it’s easier for us to look down on others to allow us to look better.

I have also felt the pain of being looked down upon…being judged by others, and as I’m sure you know, there’s no fun in that. We often will think that the person looking down on us is so mean or not taking tome to understand the reasons why we are struggling. We also pledge, “I would never look down on someone like that.”

Looking down on others is different than the more caring act of noticing someone’s difficulties and wanting to help them. Looking down on others really exhibits a survival of the fittest mentality…taking from someone for my advancement. This is the opposite of God’s system, which is based on love. Love is about giving, looking out for others, helping people. Judging is about pushing down, taking something from somebody, and not consistent with God’s methods and plan for us.

Today, be mindful that we are called by God to be disciples, not judges. Be aware of looking down on others…for our Lord is the only one that could have looked down on you, but instead, loved you and gave His life. If you find yourself tempted to look down on someone, remember it is harmful to you, the other person, and disrespectful to God. Your decision, choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father, I confess, Lord, that I have been guilty of judging others. I know I have fallen into this sinful pattern because it gives me the false perception that I am better than those I judge. I wrongly believe it takes the heat off of me. Help me, Father, to live under your word to “judge not.” For those in my life who have done wrong, let me have compassion and love for them. Instead of judging others, help me be a lighthouse to them in their time of need. Help me minister Your word so that I may comfort and guide them. Also Father, help me forgive those who judge me…help me not give them authority over me with their condemnation. In the name of the One who never looked down on anyone, Jesus Christ; and all God’s people said, – AMEN!

The Truth
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
Matthew 7:1-3

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
Romans 2:1-3