Can we Judge, without Passing Judgement?

This has been going round my head just recently. In some respects it sounds like an oxymoron to me. After all, if we judge, then are we not passing judgement?

Matthew 7:1-2 is the obvious passage to go to when thinking about judging others.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ²For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

So from Jesus, we are called to not judge. But are there other scriptures that we can look to?

When Saul was trying to take David’s life, how did David respond to him. One of his responses can be seen in,
1 Samuel 24:12
“May the Lord judge between you and me.”

When Joseph’s brothers came to him, afraid that he was going to deal badly with them when their father had died, (to be honest, they had treated him pretty badly, selling him into slavery and all that.)
What was Joseph’s response?
We can see it in,
Genesis 50:19-20
¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Jude 1:9
⁹ But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

In the above instances, I think, we can see a judgement taking place, but without doing the judging personally. It’s almost as if they are judging the situation, and not the person.
They are leaving room for God to take that role.

David says, “May the Lord judge between you and me.”
Joseph says “Am I in the place of God?”
And even the archangel Michael says, “The Lord rebuke you!”

There is judgement being made, but they are not doing the judging, they are leaving room for The Lord to do that.
Can we do likewise?
This is possibly/probably a big ask.

When someone hurts us, we then naturally judge. It’s in our instincts.
“How dare you do ………. to me!!!???”
Have you ever been there? I’m pretty certain that I have.
Can we do better in the future?

What happens when we allow ourselves to judge the person instead of the situation?
Misunderstandings. ….. possibly?
Misunderstandings are the enemy’s playground. If we allow misunderstandings to enter into us, then are we dancing to the tune of our enemy?
It’s going to be so much better if we can get into step with The Lord our God!
Can we seek to understand, rather than to be understood?

Can we apply Love to the situation instead?
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

These are not easy things to wrestle with, but with God, we are able to do all things.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I think that I have written about some of the steps that might possibly be needed to come to this place, in the past. Below I shall list some posts that might be helpful to others (At the end of this post).
If the The Lord prompts you (one just stands out to you,) then do consider reading that one. He will be your best guide for what you need right now at this moment. If you ask Him for His help, then He can lead you to just what you need at this very moment.

The words of a certain song have just come to my mind. They seem to be taking on a new meaning to me.

We make space, we make room.
We have come to yield to You.
We make space, we make room
How we long to be close to You.

You could consider listening to the song. A YouTube search for “We Make Space” should find it.

Our Loving Heavenly Father,
Please help us to always bring all things to You, for Your help and guidance.
You do know what is the Best way to go.
So please help us to see, hear and know Your ways, so that we can follow You, that much better.
Amen.

______________________________________

Forgiveness is Key

Forgiveness and Reconciliation are Two very Different Things
Reconciliation may or may not be the next step after forgiveness.

Accept, Repent and Forgive, There is Power Here!
Three little words, such power.

The Church on the Cliff Top
Will we listen for the small steps as well as the vision?

Are we willing to be challenged?
Will we listen to Father, even when He challenges us?

Let the Rubbish be put Outside
When Jesus asks for something, will we then hand it over?

I don’t like cats!
Can we view those people, who we struggle with, in a different light?