Week 2, Day 2: Pride and Judgmentalism Kill Love

Scripture Readings: Matthew 7:1-5

While we are created to love people just like God loves, it doesn’t mean this is without problems. Without desiring to sound simplistic, all of our relationship problems come from pride. When you read the words of Jesus and watch how he treated people you realize he moved in love always because he was humble. He also spoke to heart issues that keep us from loving people.

Here in Matthew, He tackles a huge manifestation of pride: judgmentalism. Pride inflates our view of ourselves and deflates our estimation of others. So being judgmental is our pride magnifying another’s faults and shrinking ours. Jesus contradicts our pride with a bucket of cold water to bring us to our senses and see how it really is. Until we see our own sin and weakness, as it really is – a log – we will never be able to help another with their sin – a speck now since you see it without pride.

How many times does this play into your relationships? Far more than we realize! Think about when you get defensive or accusatory or authoritative about someone’s problems – you are moving in pride and you need to humble yourself. You are being a judge over them and you cannot see clearly about them or yourself.

The other problem with pride in the form of being judgmental is you can’t see your own blind spot. When we walk in humility with each other we can help each other get the specks out of each other’s eyes and grow! Amazing! God knows what makes relationships work! Let’s follow Him!

Thoughts for Prayer:

Ask God to search your heart for hidden pride. Sometimes it comes in the form of anger at someone or your circumstances. Other times it is in the form of hurt – wounded pride.

Take your pride to the cross and let it die with Christ. It is the essence of sin, so see it crucified with Christ.

Take up your new life with Christ, which is clothed with humility because God loves you and is for you.

Ask what areas you are judging others in and repent.

Ask someone you trust to speak into your life and share what they see in you that needs help.