Sometimes when we see someone doing something, we think we know why he is doing that, based on our knowledge and experience. But perhaps more often than not, we come to see later that we were wrong in our conclusions because there were other factors there that we had not taken into consideration! We thought we had understood the situation very well, but it was humiliating to see later that we missed the mark completely!
Some people conclude therefore that we shouldn't form any opinions at all! They think that was what Jesus meant when He told us not to judge anyone (Mt.7:1). But that is not realistic or practical. We can't help forming opinions in our mind when we observe people. In fact, it is necessary for us to form proper opinions because we need them to guide us when we have to deal with those people later. So, Jesus actually tells us to form opinions, based on true facts, rather than on prejudices or incorrect or incomplete facts (Jn.7:24).
To judge is not the same as forming opinions. It involves condemning someone (Lk.6:37). If, as a result of our opinion we begin to despise someone, that is also a matter of serious pride.
We do need to form correct opinions about people we deal with so that we can know how close we can get to them, how to protect ourselves from getting hurt and also to see how we may be of help to them. Humility teaches us that we don't know or understand many things and that there may be so many things we aren't even aware of. So it is safe for us to keep our opinions as being preliminary or tentative and be on the lookout for more information and understanding. In this way, when we get more information we are also able to change our mind and revise our position.
Recognising and living with the admission that we know only partly is an important key to spiritual maturity. It is the immature ones who are sure of themselves. In this way, an extreme level of self-confidence that is not open to correction is a sure mark of pride. (Psychologically speaking, we also need a healthy level of self-confidence, which, for the believer, comes from being secure in the knowledge of the love of God for us.)
One of the marks of the spirit of the times is exalting self above others. People always want to save their face in front of others. Then it becomes difficult for us to admit that we made a mistake and accept the blame. But the actual fact of life is that we all do make many mistakes. And so, if we want to be wise, let us take the position that we have to be open to correction. This will exalt us in God's opinion about us (1Pe.5:6). How sad it will be to grow old without learning this, "A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction" (Ec.4:13)!
It is by humbling ourselves before God again and again that we become humble – humility becomes a part of our life. God is looking for such people to bless them and to make them a blessing.