Faith @ First - October 9, 2026
Have you ever said it?
Or maybe you’ve heard someone else say it:
“Only God can judge me.”
The irony is that we usually reach for those words when it feels like we’re being judged by everybody except God.
Judged for a decision we made.
Judged for something in our past.
Judged for how we parent, how we live, what we believe, who we love, or who we are becoming.
And if we’re honest, we haven’t only been on the receiving end of judgment. We’ve given it too.
We make assumptions. We form opinions. We decide we know someone’s motives without ever knowing their story. Sometimes we call it discernment. Sometimes we call it “just telling the truth.” But judgment can come so naturally that we rarely stop to ask whether we were ever given the authority to make it in the first place.
That’s why we’re ending He Said/She Said: But What Did God Say? with a biblical exploration of judgment. The exact words “Only God can judge me” may not appear in the Bible, but Scripture has plenty to say about judgment—about God’s role, our role, and the difference between the two.
And maybe that is a word we need right now.
In a world where everyone seems ready to render a verdict on somebody else, perhaps we need to remember who is actually qualified to hold the gavel—and what it means to follow Jesus in the way we see one another.
So, this week, pay attention to judgment. Notice when you feel its weight. Notice when you are tempted to place it on someone else. And bring both with you to worship.
Better yet, invite someone who could use the reminder too.
This weekend at Noblesville First, we conclude our series with:
“Only God Can Judge Me.”
Let’s Pray together: God, make us slow to judge and quick to listen. Give us humility about what we do not know, grace in how we see one another, and hearts ready to hear what You have to say. Amen.
Keep the Faith @First,
Pastor Nicole
