To Judge or not to Judge
What comes to mind when you hear the word...judgment? My guess is there are a variety of things that come to mind. In the modern world, judgment usually carries with it a negative connotation. Especially in the hypersensitive arena of individual rights.
In talking about judgment it is first important to define our working definition of what judgement is. Webster’s dictionary defines the word judgment as:
a formal utterance of an authoritative opinion; the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing
Judgment is one of those things that is naturally apart of what it means to be human. Let’s face it, it is a necessary fact of life. We make judgment calls every day of our lives. Just try to make it through an entire day without making one single judgment. I promise you it cannot be done! Why can’t it be done?
I honestly think it is a necessary part of life. God created us with this ability and with purpose. We could never fulfill His purpose for our lives, coupled with freewill, without the capacity to make a judgment. However, the important thing is that we need to glorify God by learning what the specific purpose of judgment is and learning how to discern the use of it.
The challenge is all of us live in a society that is plagued by bad judgment. One never has to look very far to get a glimpse of how bad it is...just watch the evening news. But if judgment is part of the world we live in and part fulfilling our created purpose...how do we make sense of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7?
Judge not, that you be not judged. (Matthew 7:1)
The apostle Paul actually captures the same idea in Romans 2:1:
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.
Based on the passages above, do we have the right, as humans, to make a judgment? The answer to this question is Yes! Let me explain. First, we must understand that there is a difference between human judgment and Godly judgment. God always judges with righteousness. Humans on the other hand...not so much.
Below are a few passages that deal with God’s ability to judge:
God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. (Psalm 7:11)
He [God] judges the world with righteousness; He judges the peoples with uprightness. (Psalm 9:8)
And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments! (Revelation 16:7)
When talking about judgment...a righteous judgment is the greatest form of judgment because its very foundation is God’s truth. Furthermore, God is forever faithful in the patterns He sets for us. Since God’s judgments are always right and just, we too must learn from His example when it comes to how we exercise our own judgments. How can we ever think of making right and just judgments without the help of God himself? We can’t! Righteous judgment cannot happen without the indwelling and direction of the Holy Spirit. Jesus even advised his followers to make a righteous judgment, which by context seems to be the direct opposite of judging by mere appearances.
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. (John 7:24)
Where do we go from here? How does this practically apply to our every day lives? Here are a few important thoughts and words of cation.
Be careful not to appoint yourself as the “sheriff” whose sole ministry is to try to correct every perceived problem/sin that you may become aware of...both in and out of the church. Always strive to be positive and balanced when dealing with others. James put it best when he called us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Lastly, work hard at separating the behavior from the person.
In the end...know it is ok and even good to make righteous judgments under the leading of the Holy Spirit. However, making constant righteous judgments is not something that comes to us overnight. It really takes a lifetime of learning and practice to grow in this discipline. As in everything we do as followers of Jesus...we must emulate Jesus and we should be asking for His daily assistance and power as we journey through this life.
Therefore, when you judge...make it a righteous judgment.