Activity Bible Time Influence Others Drawing/Dramatization Experience

Part 5: To Judge or Not to Judge

Because GOD IS JUST, I know He will always treat me fairly!

In the Bible, Jesus says:

"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged."~Matthew 7:1, Discover God Bible, (NLT).

What do you think this verse means?

Does it mean we are never to let someone know what they're doing is wrong?

Listen to what happened to Janice:

Janice and the Stolen Gum

Janice and Lucy stopped at the convenience store on their way home from school. Janice didn't want to stop but Lucy said she had to get some gum. The girls stood in the aisle looking at the choices when Lucy reached out and grabbed two packs of gum: one mint and one fruit flavored.

"Come on Janice," Lucy whispered, "You take the fruit flavored and I'll take the mint."

Janice felt the gum being pressed in to her hand.

"Now," Lucy continued, "put the gum in your pocket when no one is looking, then just walk out the front doors like nothing is wrong. Oh, be sure not to touch your pockets. That can give you away."

"It's wrong to just take gum without paying for it, Lucy! That's stealing! I'm not going to do it, and neither should you!" Janice whispered back.

"Don't tell me you're going to wimp out on me now! Who are you to judge? This store makes lots of money. They aren't going to be hurt by two missing packs of gum!"

Janice put the fruit flavored gum back on the shelf. "It's not right, Lucy."

Lucy's eyes narrowed. "What are you going to do about it? Tattle? You Christians are all alike. You think you're too good for anyone else!" Lucy slipped the mint gum into her pocket, turned on her heels, and walked out the door.

What do you think of the way Janice handled the situation? Did she judge Lucy?

Janice told Lucy the truth. Taking the gum without paying for it is stealing.

Our actions reflect who we are on the inside, but they rarely tell the whole story. Only God can judge the heart because only God knows what's in the heart. We can judge an action based on what God says is right or wrong, but we cannot judge a person.

What do you think of what Lucy said about Janice? Was Lucy judging Janice? (Yes.)

How? (She attacked Janice's heart.)

Was what she said about Janice and Christians fair? (No. Maybe some people who say they're Christians think they're better than others, but true followers of Christ know that's not true.)

Sometimes it's hard to stand up for what is right. It's even harder to stand up for what is right and do it in love. God doesn't give up love in order to be just, and He doesn't give up justice in order to love. Neither should we.

The Bible says:

Three things will last forever -- faith, hope, and love -- and the greatest of these is love. ~1 Corinthians 13:13, Discover God Bible, (NLT).

What is God most concerned about?

If you were in Janice's position, how do you think you would you have handled the situation?

Standing up for what is right, and doing it in love, is a great way to express thanks to God for His justice and love toward us!


Why does it matter?

Because God is Just, He wants me to stand up for what's right, and do it in love!

Talk with God!

When you stand up for what is right, do you come across as judgmental or full of pride? Ask God to help you stand up for what's right and to do it in love. If you are afraid to stand up for what's right, ask God for courage to stand up for His Justice.

Action Point

Because God is Just, I will ________________________.

(Note: Fill in the blank by sharing a specific action point.)


"ABIDE" for God is Just
Memory Verse Table Talk
AActivity … Family Fun Activities!
BBible Times … Exploring God's Word together
IInfluencing Others … how can you make a difference?
DDrawing/Drama … exploring your creative side!
EExperience … finding the teachable moments
Search