Thursday, February 20, 2025

Judging Ourselves

Judging Ourselves: What the Bible Teaches Through David’s Story

“But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.” — 1 Corinthians 11:31 (ESV)

Many of us are quick to judge others but slow to examine ourselves. The Bible teaches that self-judgment is key to spiritual growth and avoiding greater consequences. One of the most striking biblical examples of this principle is King David's failure to judge himself—until God intervened.

David’s Blind Judgment: A Lesson From 2 Samuel 12

After King David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be killed (2 Samuel 11), God sent the prophet Nathan to confront him. Instead of directly accusing David, Nathan told a parable:

"There were two men in a certain city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had many flocks and herds, but the poor man had only one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and raised. It grew up with him and his children; it ate from his food and drank from his cup. It was like a daughter to him. But one day, a traveler came to the rich man, and instead of taking from his own flock, he took the poor man’s only lamb and prepared it for his guest." — 2 Samuel 12:1-4 (paraphrased)

David was furious when he heard this story:

“As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this deserves to die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” — 2 Samuel 12:5-6 (NIV)

At that moment, David unknowingly judged himself. Then Nathan delivered the powerful revelation:

“You are the man!” — 2 Samuel 12:7

David had condemned the rich man in the parable, yet he had committed an even greater sin. His judgment was fair—but he failed to apply it to himself until it was too late.

The Dangers of Failing to Judge Ourselves

David’s story shows that when we refuse to judge ourselves, we become blind to our faults. Here are three key dangers of ignoring self-judgment:

We deceive ourselves.
- David thought he had concealed his sin, but “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” (Hebrews 4:13, NIV).
- When we ignore our faults, we create a false sense of righteousness.
We judge others harshly but excuse ourselves.
- Jesus warned: “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3, ESV).
- David was outraged at the rich man in Nathan’s parable but was blind to his own far greater sin.
We invite God’s discipline.
- David’s sin led to severe consequences:
  - The child born from his sin with Bathsheba died (2 Samuel 12:14).
  - His family was plagued by strife (2 Samuel 12:10-11).
- Though David was forgiven, sin still carries consequences (Galatians 6:7).

Examples of Self-Judgment in the Bible

David failed to judge himself—but the Bible gives examples of those who did:

1. The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

After wasting his inheritance, he judged himself honestly:
“I will arise and go to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.’” — Luke 15:18 (ESV)
His self-judgment led to repentance and restoration.

2. King Saul (1 Samuel 15)

Unlike David, Saul refused to judge himself. Instead, he made excuses for his sin.
Because of his disobedience, he lost his kingdom (1 Samuel 15:26).

3. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)

The Pharisee judged others but not himself.
The tax collector judged himself and sought mercy:
“God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” — Luke 18:13 (NIV)
Jesus said the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified.

How We Can Apply This Today

1. Examine Yourself Daily

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” — 2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)

Before judging others, ask yourself:
- Am I being honest about my weaknesses?
- Have I sought God’s help to change?
- Do I apply the same standards to myself as I do to others?

2. Confess and Repent Quickly

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” — 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

David repented in Psalm 51, saying:
“Against You, You only, have I sinned.” — Psalm 51:4 (NIV)
When we acknowledge our sins, God offers forgiveness and restoration.

3. Seek Accountability

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” — Proverbs 27:6 (ESV)

Nathan helped David see his sin. We need trusted friends or mentors to help us stay on the right path.

4. Accept Consequences With Humility

David still faced consequences, but he accepted them instead of making excuses.
When we judge ourselves and accept responsibility, we grow in wisdom and maturity.

Final Thoughts: The Power of God's Grace

God’s goal is not to condemn us, but to restore us. When we judge ourselves honestly and humbly, we find grace instead of judgment.

“For the Lord disciplines the one He loves.” — Hebrews 12:6 (ESV)

Just like David, we will all fail at times. But the good news is this: if we judge ourselves, we won’t be judged (1 Corinthians 11:31). Instead, we will find mercy, forgiveness, and the strength to change.

Take a moment today to ask: Am I judging myself rightly?

Call to Action: Take the Self-Examination Challenge

💡 Set aside 5 minutes each day to examine your heart.
📖 Pray Psalm 51 and ask God to reveal any hidden faults.
🤝 Find an accountability partner to help you stay on track.

Let’s live with honesty, humility, and self-awareness, so that we can walk in God’s grace.

Next-Gen

Thursday, February 20, 2025