Snap Judgements

A snap judgement is defined as a hasty decision or opinion and I’m sure that we all have made them at one time or another. Sometimes those decisions are spot on and other times they miss the mark.

While Hannah was pouring out her heart to God, her lips moved but her voice was not heard. Eli the priest was observing her and made a snap judgement that she was drunk and rebuked her.

But Hannah replied, “Not so, my lord! I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.  Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” (1 Samuel 1:15-16)

Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant what you have asked of Him.”

Eli made a snap judgement about Hannah before he knew all the facts. When we notice that something seems wrong with another person do we do the same? It’s easy to misunderstand motives and actions, and in doing so it can cause us to make assumptions about others that are not true.

Instead of making snap judgments we can choose to be sensitive to the fact that, like Hannah, anyone we encounter may be carrying a tremendous burden and to wrongly judge them only adds to their troubles.

Be Intentional about withholding snap judgements of others.

Praises & Prayers

Father, please forgive me for snap judgements that I have made without knowing all the facts. Create in me a heart that will see others as You see them and give me the words to pray for them that will encourage them and help lift their burdens. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Messages from His Word

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.