You be the Judge?-Part II (judging the heart)

It is the well-spring of life, it is evil and deceptive–no one can “know” it, it must be guarded, and out of its abundance our mouth speaks. The heart is more than just a muscle needed to sustain our life. The bible says there is another heart within each of us, and it says a lot about who we are. It is where our motives are hidden. Yet it is a mystery to all but our Creator. We can think we know it, whether it is our own heart, or that of another. But only God’s view of the heart is complete and perfect.

The area of judgment is controversial in the christian community, and the world’s answer is usually “don’t judge me,” in a live-and-let-live mindset. But God’s Word doesn’t leave us wondering how to handle judgment. Matthew 7:1 in the Amplified Bible says “Do not judge and criticize and condemn others that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned.” And further study in Strong’s Concordance shows that “judge” in this verse means “condemn.” This is where we cross the line in making a judgment because we cannot truly know another’s heart. We have not lived their life, felt their pain, or experienced their losses. This judgement is reserved for the Creator and it is a sin to take His place and condemn another, or ourselves.

The motives of our hearts are often hidden even from us. It is “fruit” that needs to be examined, and God’s Word does tell us what kind of company to keep if we are wise, but we must not judge another’s heart.