p. 5 | JUDGE NOT by Augusta W. Heald

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 19, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 51.

"JUDGE NOT."

By Augusta W. Heald

A DEAR friend once said to me, "The longer I live, the more I believe we can not possibly judge any person rightly; for we can never know the peculiar trials and limitations of another." From our Lord's parable of the Pharisee and publican we may learn that he who has a realizing sense of his own sins, is far more acceptable in the sight of God than the one who condemns another.

It ill becomes us to indulge a harsh, criticizing, fault-finding spirit. To do this is to join hands with the enemy of our souls, who is called "the accuser of the brethren." It is also to condemn ourselves. Paul says, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." Rom. 2:1.

There is no man who has kept the perfect law of God. But God is merciful, and He would have us manifest the same Christlike spirit toward others. "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." AUGUSTA W. HEALD.