The Difference Between Judgment And Accountability
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” - Matthew 7:1-2
When I was having a conversation with my best friend Melanie last week, she said, “Kristen, I feel like you’re one of the few people who I could be totally honest with, knowing you aren’t going to judge me.” I smiled when Melanie said this, because I felt the exact same way about her. I am 100% confident that I could tell Melanie anything, and she wouldn’t judge me or look down on me.
It was during this conversation, though, that I realized there is a difference between judgment and accountability. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commands us very clearly not to judge others. He reminds us that ultimately it is God’s job to judge all of humanity, not ours. However, it is part of our role as a child of God to hold our brothers and sisters accountable to God’s Word.
Like I said earlier, I don’t have to worry about Melanie being judgmental towards me, but I do know that if I’m in the wrong, if I’m headed down a dangerous path, or if I’m on the brink of making a mistake, she will hold me accountable in accordance with Scripture. She will lovingly and compassionately point me back to Jesus because she cares about me and wants what’s best for me.
That’s the biggest difference between judgment and accountability. Judgment is pointing the finger at someone with a spirit of condemnation. Accountability is pointing others to Christ with a spirit of love and grace.
Are you someone your friends feel safe talking to, knowing you will lovingly hold them accountable to Christ? Or do they fear opening up to you because of your judgmental and condemning attitude? Remember, God is the ultimate judge. He is the only one who can see the true intentions of the heart. Our only role is to help encourage, guide, and direct our brothers and sisters towards Him so that we might all continue to further His Kingdom and bring Him glory.