Interacting with Other People – Part 7
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One of the greatest barriers to interacting with other people is judging other people. We greatly limit ourselves from relationships with others because of our prejudices. We take one look at a person and size them up without ever sitting down and talking to them. This is judgment based on appearances, and it is unrighteous judgment. Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24).
What can we do to avoid judging people based on appearances? First, when we see a new person, go up and greet them—introduce yourself. Speak to them as you would any other person with whom you have a good relationship. Presume the best of others because love “hopes all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7). If we love our neighbor, our initial attitude toward the potential relationship should be hopeful and optimistic. Many people start on the downside by beginning with negative self-talk. They may say things like, “He/She won’t like me;” “Look at the way he/she is dressed;” “that person is ugly;” etc. There is no shortage of negative ways to think about other people!
Are we looking at others as God looks at them? Do we see them as people made in His image for whom Christ died? We need to take this attitude, or our problem will no longer be judging other people, but God judging us! Consider James 4:11-12: “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?” James 5:9 says, “Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley