Why do we pass judgment when both the pot and the kettle are black?
Let’s be honest. All of us pass judgment multiple times a day and we don’t even realize it. We might eat meat and make derogatory comments about a co-worker who chooses to be Vegan. Another pierces a nose, lip, or bellybutton and has tattoos from head to toe. Admittedly, I’ve made unkind comments that had nothing to do with the character of the individual. Rather than seeing it as body art, I secretly judged the person’s look to be a cover-up for insecurities and a silly waste of money. Without hesitation, I shared those biased thoughts with whoever was with me at the time. After all, weren’t we just having a conversation between friends?
Childhood likes and dislikes set us up for judgmental thoughts.
Because we are prone to form first impressions and are molded from childhood by family-of-origin likes and dislikes, we can swiftly react based on preconceived beliefs of right and wrong. In other words, we pass judgment before we think things through. That’s not fair to others and dishonors God.
1 Samuel 16:7b “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
We are all either the pot or the kettle; all stained with black.
The preacher is no better than the street sweeper. The landlord no better than the tenant or man living in a tent. No one is no better than the other. All are created in the image of God. I’m convinced we’d be happier if we looked upon the heart as God does and left passing judgment in His capable hands. God desires us to love one another in the same way He loves us. His Word tells us to gain wisdom and apply proper discernment. These qualities create mutual well-being and offer protection from harmful choices.
On the contrary, when special interest groups, ethnic clusters, or political parties seek to blame the other side for society’s ills, we are participating in judgmental acts. Sight of the common good is lost. The evening news points this out to us on a regular basis. When the pot calls the kettle black, or the kettle calls the pot black, less than desirable behaviors have the potential to escalate and sometimes result in a riot. This puts a financial strain on city governments to keep a fight from intensifying and property damage to a minimum. Rather than cutting each other some slack, or finding a mediator, each side sets out to win.
In Portland, Oregon alone protesters have blocked public roads and bridges making it impossible for the peaceful folks and emergency vehicles to go about their business. Storefronts have suffered loss, arrests have been made, and the problems they’re fighting for didn’t get better. Wouldn’t it be more advantageous to work together for solutions as good neighbors should?
Let’s think twice before passing judgment.
Easter week is a good reminder to think twice before passing judgment and picking sides. Those public displays of anger and signs hoisted high can cause more harm than good. Did we forget we all bleed the same? No one is superior to the other, all are stained with sin’s black ash in need of repenting and walking as God would have us do. Let’s not overlook the fact that every one of us is either the pot or the kettle and extend the gift of mercy to others.
