Don't be judgmental
It's so easy to stand in judgement of others...I do it all the time, don't you?
- We're annoyed at an inconsiderate driver who fails to use their blinker yet we randomly don't use ours...
- We frown at someone's parenting strategies (or maybe lack of strategy) yet fail to be faithful to our own parenting standards...
- We look down our noses at the way someone spends their money yet, when push comes to shove, we're careless in our own stewardship...
Whatever the inconsistency, God hates this type of judgementalism; he hates the hypocrisy of it. Romans 2:1-3 lays it out pretty clearly. It says "You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked (or stupid or foolish or careless) and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?"
There's hope though. Because God is loving and merciful toward us when we act poorly, he asks us to treat our fellow mankind with the same love and mercy; not because they deserve it but because our gratitude for God's treatment of us compels us to treat them with that same love and mercy. Look how Romans 2 continues (verse 4): "Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" You see, in addition, our love and mercy may turn out to be a demonstration of the changed life that is ours in Christ and that would, in turn, draw them one step closer to a relationship with God (or a closer relationship with God if they already know him).
Fight judgmentalism in your life...fight it! God hates the hypocritical pride it represents AND the energy it takes to "look down" on others steals your intended peace and joy.