When People Judge, God Still Justifies

Scripture (Matthew 7:1–2, NLT):

"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged."

Devotional:

People will assume what they want, no matter how much truth you show them. Some will smile in your face and tear you down behind your back. Others will swear up and down they're "not judgmental" - then judge you in the very next breath. That's human nature in a broken world.

But here's the truth: their opinion doesn't define you. God does. Their whispers don't cancel out His Word. When people misjudge, God reminds us, "I know your heart, I know your story, and I know the truth."

And Jesus didn't leave us guessing why people act like this. He said, "For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" (Luke 6:45). If someone's heart is full of bitterness, insecurity, or anger, it's going to spill out of their mouth - often in the form of judgment. Most of the time, the very things people judge you for are the things they struggle to live up to themselves. Their criticism of you is just a reflection of what they can't conquer in their own lives.

That's why we never put our faith in people's approval - it shifts like the wind. We anchor ourselves in God's love, because His word is steady and His judgment is righteous.

Questions to Consider:

1. Where in your life are you letting someone else's opinion weigh heavier than God's?

2. How do you respond when people talk behind your back? With bitterness, or by handing it over to God?

3. What would change if you cared more about God's approval than people's assumptions?

Prayer:

Jesus, remind me that people's opinions don't define me - You do. Protect my heart from bitterness when others judge me. Help me love even when I'm misunderstood, and strengthen me to walk in truth and confidence in You alone. Amen.