One of the biggest challenges many Christians face in their relationships with other Believers is the tendency to be judgmental. They criticize people who miss the mark or who don’t look, dress, or act the way they think Christians should look, dress, or act. Or they use their knowledge of other people’s sins and personal struggles to label and condemn them. But this type of judgmental behavior is not pleasing to God.

If we are to function at our highest potential, we have to walk in love toward one another. This is the only way God’s power can flow through us to touch, heal, and deliver others. This power only comes when we build one another up—that’s love’s way. We’ve been given a commandment to walk in love, and refusing to judge other people is an important part of that commandment.

Galatians 6:1, 2 in The Amplified Bible shows us the type of attitude we should have toward other Believers who may have missed the mark:

Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it].

When someone has backslidden or sinned, it isn’t our place to point the finger of  condemnation; even God doesn’t do that. Instead, the Bible says we are to set the person right without superiority, in a gentle, loving manner. That doesn’t mean you are to condone any form of sin; rather, you are to pray for and minister to that person in the love of God.

The commandment to walk in love toward God and others is not an option but a direct order from Heaven (Matthew 22:34-40). In Matthew 7:1, 2, Jesus says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” God doesn’t want you judging others because it sets you up to be judged. Instead, you are supposed to pray for others.

First Peter 4:8 says, “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” Love is the answer to every situation you face in life; it never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). No matter what you or anyone else has done, when you purpose to walk in love toward God and others, you will always come out victorious.

Walking in God’s love releases His power in and through you. Ephesians 3:17-19 says, “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” The love of God is His power! By praying for others and walking in love toward them rather than judging them, you position yourself for increase.

Don’t miss your opportunity to experience the fullness of God’s blessing in your life. If you are challenged in this area, get rid of harsh, judgmental attitudes toward others and allow the love of God to invade your life like never before. You’ll be glad you did!

— Creflo A. Dollar