The Doorpost: Without excuse

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgement on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

Romans 2:1

“He was wrong to do that. She shouldn’t have done that.” Judging others reveals that we know that things we do are wrong. We violate our own standards, let alone those of a holy God.

In Romans 1:18-32, Paul the Apostle names sins of mankind that bring the wrath of God on us. He begins with sexual perversion, “the dishonoring of our bodies among ourselves,” which we sometimes say will bring God’s judgment, not always recognizing that it is a sign that God’s judgment has already come.

Then Paul goes on to name other sins that, while we may consider them more “normal,” actually indicate a further descent into a debased mind—gossip, slander, boasting, envy, malice, disobedience to parents, and more. He then points out that even though we know that God says those who practice such things deserve to die, we not only do them but approve those who practice them.

When we judge others, we are condemning ourselves. We are left without excuse.