Devotion: 1 Corinthians 4:3

1 Corinthians 4:3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.

When you first read the words of Paul here it is hard to think, “This is the example I have?” I care way too much about others judging me. And maybe that’s a “me” problem. But maybe I’m not alone in that thinking. A look at Instagram would show you thousands of others who worry about being judged and who hide it to present the perfect look, the perfect home, the perfect activities with the family….

If only I could think like Paul. And he was writing to a group who had divided themselves up internally within the church, some following Paul, some Peter, etc. Paul dismissed their criticism and summed it up perfectly in one verse, which we focus on today. He argued that any true judgement belonged only to God, not to them.

By pointing out the “human courts” he was able to show the secular evaluations of approval or those that are more worldly hold no merit compared to the great Judge Who does matter. People lack the ability to judge like God because we are flawed human beings who base things upon our own understanding of them which comes from personal experience. And our heart is deceptive so how could it help us judge one another? Worldly courts hold no weight in spiritual matters. That is left to God.

Paul notes that he doesn’t even judge himself. I find that to be an odd thought because I am always self assessing myself and evaluating how I look, how I sound, how I communicate, and so on. I cannot imagine NOT doing this, but who am I to question Paul? I am sure we all agree that he recognizes that human self-awareness is flawed and that justification comes entirely from God… or that’s what he meant to say, right? (Said tongue in cheek)

Repeat after me. “I care very little if I am judged by you.” Say it again but this time believe it. Say it again, this time out loud. Take this verse and memorize it. You’ve already learned the first part which you’ve repeated a few times. Memorize it and remember it when someone judges you. Their words matter not because only He can judge you.

Prayer: Lord, I don’t want to be judged by others any more. I want only Your thoughts to matter. Help me to no longer listen to worldly judgments against or about me. Amen

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