PREJUDGE

Prejudge:  to judge before hearing or before full and sufficient examination.

The other day I heard a speaker say, “You are not to judge, but do you prejudge?”

That is a powerful question.  I am sure most of us would answer, “Of course I do not prejudge.  I want all the facts.”  How would this answer line up with your life?

Let’s start with the news.  Do you read only the headline?  If so, you are prejudging the article.  The headline is sensational to grab your attention.  The article is usually very different and should contain the facts.  Do you prejudge the news or find the facts?

Next is food.  Are you willing to try something new?  If not, why?  How do you know you will not like a certain spice?  Or macaroni and cheese made with something other that the box mix?  Do you prejudge food and miss out on a new taste sensation?

Finally, the biggie === PEOPLE!  Do you prejudge people?  And everyone answered, “Of course I do not prejudge people.”  We like to think we do not, but fess up.  We prejudge everyone we meet.  We look at their eyes, their smile, their hands, their tattoos, their hair, and their body piercings.  We look at their clothes and prejudge the person if the clothes are not to our liking or if their jeans are pulled below their underwear.  We prejudge people by their mode of transportation or the house they live in or if they are homeless. We prejudge people depending on where they go to church or if they do not go to church.  We prejudge people by the way they vote and, sadly, by the color of their skin.

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If you are feeling guilty, you need to realize Jesus prejudged people.

Jesus prejudged the Samaritan woman.  She was prejudged worthy of eternal life.  Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”     John‬ ‭4:13-14‬

Jesus prejudged Bartimaeus.  He was prejudged worthy of seeing.  “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”  ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:51-52‬ 

Jesus prejudged the crippled lady.  She was prejudged worthy of standing tall.  “When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.”  Luke‬ ‭13:12-13‬ ‭

Jesus has prejudged each of us.  We are prejudged worthy to be loved by the Father.  “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John‬ ‭3:1‬ 

Sooooo... if someone asks if you prejudge people, you can say, “Yes I do.  I prejudge them worthy of the love of the Father.  And I will treat them that way...worthy!”