Monday, September 8, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 6
Luke 7:39
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”
In Luke 7, we meet a woman known by her reputation. She was a sinner and an outcast. When she walked into Simon the Pharisee’s house and poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet, the room filled with criticism and judgment (Luke 7:36-38).
We all know what it feels like to have someone pick us apart. Nobody can prevent critical or judgmental voices from creeping into our lives. But if we aren’t careful, they can feed our insecurity. We start second-guessing our decisions, chasing human approval instead of God's. Eventually, it strips our joy. We lose our ability to laugh at mistakes, and nothing feels good enough.
That's how we lose. Our minds get stuck replaying the voices of critics instead of seeing ourselves through the eyes of our loving Father. It disrupts our peace, misaligns our sense of identity, and poisons our relationships. It screws them all up.
When the woman in Luke 7 anointed Jesus' feet with perfume, Simon didn’t just judge her, he criticized Jesus for letting it happen. Yet Jesus refused to allow Simon's criticism to alter his view of the woman. Instead, Jesus pointed out her faith, her love, and her devotion. Where Simon saw failure, Jesus saw an opportunity for freedom. Where others pointed out her failures, Jesus declared forgiveness.
This story reminds us that freedom is found when we live from God's view of us, not from the narrative of critical or judgmental people.
Jesus calls us to trust his words above all others: "Your sins are forgiven" (Luke 7:48). That's the truth that "unscrews" us, steadying our hearts with grace and allowing us to have peace in our relationships with others.
Life-giving relationships are rooted in the example Jesus set for us. Because through Jesus, every one of us is forgiven, deeply loved, and truly free.
Questions:
Whose voice are you listening to more closely - the critics around you, or the Savior who calls you forgiven and loved?
Is there anyone in your life you need to be less critical or judgmental toward? What steps would make it possible for you to show yourself AND others the loving words Jesus displayed for us?
Next Steps:
Take a step to journal today and follow the guide Jesus gave us to help “unscrew” yourself from the grip of any criticism or judgment you are carrying in your heart:
1. Listen to God’s voice above all.
2. Stand firm in your identity in Christ.
3. Respectfully call out truth in the face of lies.
4. Extend love where others withhold it.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank you that your voice is louder than the critics in my life. Help me to see myself as loved, forgiven, and free. Remind me that this is the way you see me when I stumble and begin screwing myself back into the grip of hurtful words said around and toward me. Keep me rooted in your truth so that no judgment can steal my joy. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Romans 12:17-18
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
This post was written by Lori Tuckerman, the Director of Content for the Daily LivingItOut.