I think it’s safe to say that virtually every believer is well aware that it’s wrong, indeed dangerous and even deadly, to judge (condemn, criticize) others.

But why?  Because God says so in the Bible, quite (crystal) clearly.  But why does He say so, what’s behind that truth?

Another truth, as is ever the case with God and His Word, the Bible.

It’s because HE is the Judge… the ONLY judge on the planet.

• “Do not speak against one another, brethren.  He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge of it.  There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?” (James 4:11-12)

(For those who might think that jurists – the human judges in our courtrooms – are an exception, not so, since their authority is merely lent, simply delegated to them by God; see Romans 13:1).

But in comparison, I think far fewer people realize that this very same principle applies to a “control issue”.  Trying to be “in control” – in most cases, all of the time, in every situation.

While I could (literally) write a book about the bevy of bad results such brings about in the human realm, the spiritual consequences are even far bigger, far worse, far-reaching.

Why?  Because control belongs to God and God alone.

• “… He [Christ] is the blessed and only Sovereign…” (1 Timothy 6:15)

Ergo, it’s every bit as crucial and biblical to avoid “trying to control” others as it is to avoid judging others.  And every bit as dangerous to fail in that endeavor.

The only form of “control” we can rightly possess is self-control, and of course that’s so good because it’s the fruit of, produced by, the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

I wrote about this in greater depth in an early post on this blog but I love the parallel of those two applications of this “only one” principle as set forth in the two verses highlighted above.

When it comes to things like judging or controlling others, it’s always best, beneficial, biblical to “render… to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21; Mark 12:17)

With few if any real exceptions, we don’t like it when others seek to usurp or violate our “space”.

Neither does God.

Lord, may we wisely leave “judging” and “being in control” to You and You alone.  For there is indeed “only one” Judge and “only one” Sovereign:  You.  Grow in us instead a servant’s heart of humility and sweet-spirited submissiveness and love.

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