Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: 2 Chronicles 26:1–28:27, Romans 13:1–14, Psalm 23:1–6, Proverbs 20:11

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Take Every Thought Captive

Nobody likes to admit they’re being judgmental, but I think most of us do it every day.

We have to exercise judgment to some degree—to discern what is right and wrong, wise and unwise, safe and unsafe. But have you ever caught yourself going beyond discernment and judging someone before you even realized you were doing it?

You see how someone is dressed, hear something they said, notice a decision they made, or watch how they behave, and suddenly you’ve formed an opinion about them. Sometimes it happens so quickly that it feels automatic.

That’s exactly what today’s Gem of Knowledge addresses:

“Stop being so judgmental. I know it just seems to happen, but when those thoughts come to mind, reject them and come to Me, holding every thought captive in Christ.”

Yikes! Every day the Lord gets me, but today hit me hard. Yet He is so good—even when He brings truth and correction, He does it without condemnation.

I love that the Lord acknowledges that sometimes the thought simply appears. But the fact that a thought entered our mind doesn’t mean we have to agree with it, entertain it, or allow it to shape how we treat someone.

We may not control every thought that knocks on the door, but we don’t have to invite every one inside.

Paul gives us a beautiful alternative in Romans 13: “Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law” (Romans 13:9–10, NLT).

Judgment looks at someone and quickly decides what their problem is. Love slows down and remembers there may be more to their story.

We have seen the Lord emphasizing that very thing over the last few days: Look. Watch. Listen. Pray. Discern. Observe. Wait. Perhaps He’s teaching us not only to slow down our actions and reactions, but also our conclusions about people.

Today’s reading in 2 Chronicles shows us how dangerous our own perspective can become. Uzziah began his reign seeking God, and the Lord blessed him tremendously. But eventually his strength led to pride. Scripture says, “But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall” (2 Chronicles 26:16, NLT).

Pride can make us think we see more clearly than we actually do. It can cause us to look at another person’s weakness while forgetting how completely we depend upon God’s mercy ourselves.

That is why we need to examine our thoughts instead of automatically trusting them.

When the thought comes—She shouldn’t have done that. He ought to know better. What is wrong with them? I would never…—that’s an opportunity to stop and take the thought captive then bring it to Christ.

Reject the judgment and bring the thought to Jesus.

Maybe instead of, What’s wrong with them? we can ask, Lord, what’s causing this? or Lord, what might they be going through?

Instead of criticism, pray.

Instead of assuming, listen.

Instead of deciding who someone is based on one moment, remember Proverbs 20:11: “Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right” (NLT). A person’s life is revealed through more than the single moment we happened to witness.

And when we struggle to do that, Psalm 23 reminds us where to go. “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need” (Psalm 23:1, NLT). We have a Shepherd who guides us along right paths. That includes the paths our minds travel.

We can bring Him our ugly thoughts too. In fact, that really what we should do…what we need to do.

We don’t have to pretend they weren’t there. We can simply say, “Jesus, that thought wasn’t loving. I don’t want to think that way. Help me see this person through Your eyes.”

Then let Him help you replace judgment with love.

We won’t become less judgmental simply by trying harder not to judge. Transformation happens as we repeatedly bring those thoughts to Christ and allow Him to change the way we see people.

The thought may come automatically.

But love can be our choice instead.💎

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Action (5 Minutes with God)

Take 5 minutes to be with the Lord today. Ask Him:

• “Lord, what do You want me to know about this personally?”
  • Journal what He gives you through His Holy Spirit.
• Then ask, “What do You want me to do?”
  • Journal what He reveals – then do it!

Pay attention to your thoughts about people today. When a judgmental thought comes, don’t continue the conversation with it. Stop and bring it to Jesus. Ask, “Lord, help me see this person the way You do.” Then choose prayer, compassion, or love instead.

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Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I judge others without knowing their story. Help me recognize judgmental thoughts when they come and refuse to entertain them. Teach me to bring every thought to You and replace criticism with compassion, assumptions with prayer, and judgment with love. Jesus, change the way I see people until I begin to see them more like You do. Guide my thoughts along Your right paths and help me love my neighbor as myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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