Stumbling into Judgement

It’s heartbreaking to watch how some of my fellow believers seem almost eager to tell others just how “wrong” or “lost” they are. It’s like the gospel—meant to heal and restore—gets hijacked as a tool for self-righteousness or a quick confidence boost.

Take, for example, those street-corner preachers shouting “hellfire and damnation” at strangers. They’re holding Bibles, but it’s hard to see Jesus in it. He didn’t stand at a distance pointing fingers; He offered an invitation to the Kingdom, leading with love and compassion.

What’s even harder to stomach is when this approach creeps into our personal relationships. How often do we see someone close to us go off the rails, and our first instinct is to condemn their choices instead of asking why they’re struggling. If we could stop focusing on the behavior itself and dig into the hurt or need behind it, we’d be a lot closer to the real work of healing and transformation. Jesus was always after the heart, and that’s where real change begins.

Yes, it’s true that choosing Jesus is essential for a fulfilling life and eternity. But that wasn’t His primary message. Jesus’s ministry wasn’t centered on condemnation; it was centered on love, grace, and an invitation to transformation. And if we’re truly honest with ourselves, human condemnation does nothing but discourage.

Balancing on a Spiritual Tightrope

Walking the line between righteousness and self-righteousness often feels like balancing on a spiritual tightrope. In our eagerness to “help” others see the truth, we can slip into acting like the judgment police. It’s a fine line between walking in truth and stumbling into judgment, something Jesus addressed with unforgettable clarity.

One of the most powerful stories that speaks to this is when a crowd brought a woman caught in sin before Jesus, ready to judge her. Instead of agreeing with them, Jesus knelt down, drew in the sand, and challenged, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone” (John 8:7). No stones were thrown that day. Jesus reminded everyone there—and us—that true righteousness is marked by grace, not condemnation.

Confessions of a Self-Appointed Sheriff of Right and Wrong

If I’m honest, I’ve crossed the line into self-righteousness more times than I’d like to admit. There were times I slipped into a “holier-than-thou” mindset, thinking I was helping others but really just trying to enforce what I thought was right. I remember one instance clearly: two friends called me out for a photo on my Facebook from my 21st birthday, where I had a drink in hand. Their approach felt less like gentle correction and more like an ambush, and instead of feeling loved into change, I felt blindsided.

But here’s the hard truth: I’ve done the same thing to others, thinking it was my responsibility to “set them straight.” Over time, I’ve come to realize that this isn’t my job. Conviction and transformation belong to God alone. Our role? To love people and let God handle the rest.

Three Reminders to Stay on Track

Here are three reminders that help me stay grounded in this understanding:

1. Reflect Jesus’ Grace: Before addressing someone else, I ask myself, “Am I speaking from a place of love and humility, or am I just trying to make a point?” If I find it’s the latter, that’s my cue to take a step back.

2. Trust God to Work: God doesn’t need us as “assistant judges.” Only He can see the heart, and only He can change it. If we trust Him with our own transformation, surely we can trust Him with others too.

3. Love, Don’t Lecture: People are far more likely to listen when they feel genuinely cared for, not condemned. When correction is truly necessary, it’s love—not criticism—that makes it effective.

Remembering Where We Once Were

It’s easy to forget where we once were, especially after we’re saved. Sometimes, we start thinking we’re above the very struggles that others are working through, as if our own sins aren’t just as serious in God’s eyes. Scripture reminds us that any righteousness we have is only possible through Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). Without Him, we’d be back in the darkness of our own sins.

Let’s leave transformation to God and focus on what He’s asked us to do: to be the hands and feet of Jesus, offering the grace we’ve been shown. When people feel His love through us, they’re far more likely to be drawn to Him than if we were to throw stones.