Day 66: 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”



Judgement is a very serious thing. Several times throughout the scripture, especially in the New Testament, that we will be judged by the same measure that we judge. A lot of people don’t understand that correctly.


What that basically means is that if we judge by a certain standard then people will hold us to that same standard. In other words, ‘what goes around comes around.’ Seems right, doesn’t it.


What Paul is saying here is something completely different. Paul is saying that if someone judges him he doesn’t take it too personally. Why? And How can we come to that same place? It seems like a good deal to me. A lot of times we spend way too much time wondering what other people think of us, our performance, our clothing, etc. Paul says “eh. I don’t care all that much.”


Paul understands that real judgment comes only from God. Someone on earth may call you a loser. So what. You’re only a loser if God says you’re a loser. Paul says he doesn’t even judge himself. That’s smart stuff. We’re nowhere close to smart enough to even pass judgment on ourselves.


This verse brings us great freedom. We can’t be truly judged by other people, or ourselves. God alone judges us. You realize what that means, right? The next time you’re down on yourself remember that God may see things different. In fact, it’s not even our place to think about it.


When someone else gets judgmental, think nothing of it, you stand or fall to God alone.


God is the ultimate judge, and He judges righteously. Neither other people or ourselves are remotely capable of that, so leave it to God.


Christian Leadership Principle: God alone judges us. We aren’t capable, and neither are other people. Don’t let them define the reality; let God do that.


Here’s a set of verses to meditate on today: Romans 14:10-12


Prayer: Father, help me not to judge myself. Give me the wisdom to see that you alone judge righteously, and help me not to give weight to the judgment of myself or others. In Christ’s name, amen.