Devotion #2: America’s Got Talent

One of my favorite shows to watch with my wife is “America’s Got Talent.” We enjoy watching the variety of different talents people have. If you have not watched “America’s Got Talent” before, the basics of the show entail a person performing their talent before four celebrity judges. These judges then give feedback on what they think about each contestant’s performance. Each judge’s feedback is based on their past experiences and what performance acts they believe to be the most talented. Some of the performances which I enjoy watching the most are ones which get mixed reviews (both good and bad). The reason for this is that it always sparks an opportunity for the audience, and those sitting on their couches at home, to share their own opinions. The fun really begins in my home when my wife and I disagree on whether an act is good or bad. It can be so enjoyable to discuss why we each think the way we do. 

In the book of Romans, the concept of judgment is brought to our attention. The aspect of judgment, which is talked about there, is much deeper than the judgment that takes place at a talent show. While the concept is still the same (good or bad and right or wrong), the Apostle Paul, the author of Romans, tells us that we have “no excuse” or reason to look at another person and condemn their actions. Romans 2:1-2 (NIV) shares, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself because you who pass judgment do the same things.” Paul shares this because he wants his Jewish audience to think about how they are judging other groups of people, the Gentiles in particular. Paul is not making a blanket statement to never judge but to make sure there is a correct attitude behind our judgments.  

The reason for this is that we do many of the same actions, which we then judge others for doing. We know that we are allowed to judge others with kindness and a humble, gentle heart, based on other passages of Scripture. Matthew 7:15-16 (NKJV) shares, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?” Scripture is saying that we will know others by their “fruit.” That means we can make judgments about others based on their actions (a.k.a. fruit). 

However, just as a judge in a talent show should be fair and just, they are also to be humble and kind when sharing their judgments. The same is to be true for all of us. We are to judge with care, knowing that we are sinful, too. Just as others may sin, we choose to disobey God. That is why God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. As your week moves forward, remember the grace shown to you by Jesus, and make sure that His grace is kept at the forefront of your mind.