Daily Devotions For Teenagers

January 1st ~ Judging

JANUARY 1st

JUDGING

A lot of people have a fear of rejection or judgement. They don't like to be judged. I think every single one of us has had one of those moments where you were afraid to do, or say, or wear, something because you were afraid of being judged because of it. I know I have.

If we spend all our life trying to make ourselves perfect and like everyone else because we don't want to be rejected, we will never see our true selves. Suppose you are an amazing artist but you never try painting or drawing because all your friends think its lame, and you want to be just like your friends. You had this amazing talent but you never knew because you were so afraid of being judged and rejected.

God made each and every one of us different. He did that for a reason. He didn't make us all different so we can all be like each other. He made us different so we can be ourselves and stand out.

Though it is tough to do something without the fear of rejection, just think, if your friends are going to judge you because of it, then they aren't very good friends. Find friends who you know will love you for who you are.

In Ephesians 4:29 it says...

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Remember just because somebody judges you that doesn't mean you can judge them too. God made us in His image, and if you judge somebody else you are judging God.

Sometimes we judge people because they are unlike us. We judge them because they don't like what we like or they don't have what we have. Maybe you and all your friends like this super cool popstar and a girl/boy comes along who doesn't like him, your friends don't like them because they don't like this popstar like you and your friends do. Everyone is made different and we shouldn't change them to make them like us.

CHALLENGE

This week I challenge you to think before you judge somebody.

What are you judging them for?

Are they doing something that bothers you? If so, why does it bother you?

Do they have a reason for what they did?

Do this and see how much of a different it makes. Maybe your friends will follow after you and learn from you. Be the good example. ☺

VERSES

Look up these verses in your Bible, or if you don't have one, look them up online. Use these in your everyday life and see how much you can change.

Matthew 7:1-5

Luke 6:37

John 7:24

James 4: 11-12

Romans 2:1-3

Luke 6:31

Proverbs 31:9

Galations 5:14

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