Judge Student?

Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

Romans 2:3

Walking in the second floor hallway towering over a junior exodus of third-grade children transitioning from classroom to lunchroom, I see an angry Dixon (not actual name) approach me. One-half pace ahead of him is Sunshine (not actual name), quickening her walk. The child angrily shouts out:

God**** it girl!

Now, I’ve heard elementary kids swear occasionally in the school, especially at recess. It goes with the territory. The kids seem empowered or entitled to use these phrases, most likely heard from their parents, older siblings, or movies said parents or older siblings allow them to watch. So, when I hear the kids swear, I scold them with the usual question:

You kiss your mother with that nasty mouth?

My reaction to the student was, however, harshly different for three reasons:

• God’s name was crudely used in vain.
• It came from the mouth of a third grader, and, most importantly,
• The compound word had a tone of attitude that influenced his young mind from someone or somewhere, most likely from persons mentioned in previous paragraph.

After scolding the child, in which he received an additional ear full of high decibel yelling from his homeroom teacher, my afternoon carried on much the same as any other.

When I came home at 3:30 I relaxed with a bit of Jeopardy followed by Judge Judy. Now, for the record, I thoroughly enjoy watching the Judge. Why? because someone told me years ago ~

“If you ever have a bad day and just want to feel normal again, watch Judge Judy.”

Anonymous

So I did, so I do.

Anyway, while watching…

Case number 3451: Dog owner sues neighbor whose pet parrot attacked her rose garden; defendant is counter suing for pain and suffering brought on by the death of her parrot when the roses pricked the bird.

…the Holy Spirit put into my brain something more to ponder regarding the Jason scolding.

Who was I to get angry at this child when I have been known to use unholy words in the sight of the Lord?

I began to feel guilty. This child was made to feel bad because he dared to speak words akin to a foul-mouthed drunken sailor. Rightly so, nonetheless, the question still echoed in my heart.

Who am I to get angry at this child when I have been known to use unholy words in the sight of the Lord?

Lord, am I still at liberty to teach any child, not to commit a sin when I may commit the same sin again?

Heavenly Father, can a believer be in a position to teach another not to do things that will displease You God when the likelihood of doing the same sin again is extremely high?

No matter how much I blamed myself or tried to justify my guilt, I couldn’t shake the feeling.

Well, thank God that He showed me the answer to these perplexing questions.  

“First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.”

Matthew 23:26

It is through the precious blood of Jesus Christ who paid the ransom for my sins which allows all who believe in Him to be utterly and totally forgiven…to have our slate wiped clean without blemish.

Lord, help me to see and recognize my sin, especially in front of the little ones. I pray that I may never take pleasure in watching them stagger under their sinful loads without lifting a finger to help.