Why Do We Judge?
Rather than offer an opinion about the life-changing decision of a famous former athlete, I’d like to offer an observation on how the body of Christ handles the responses of other Christians to issues like this. Many believers have shown judgment and condemnation toward this person and the community that supports them. And of course, many others have demanded that these individuals repent of their hateful attitudes.
I side with those who prefer a response of love and compassion. And although I know we mean well, our blog posts and Facebook statuses imploring Christians to be more loving and compassionate are likely to fall on deaf ears. And it’s not because we haven’t made the right arguments from scripture, but because the ones we’re addressing don’t have ears to hear us.
Those who judge and condemn others aren’t doing so because no one has ever shown them the right bible verses or because they don’t know Jesus. Christians who judge and condemn others, do it because their hearts are full of judgment and condemnation. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. They speak judgment because their hearts are full of judgment and this is because they’ve been judged themselves and have no other way to respond. (As a recovering Pharisee, I have a personal testimony to this.) Our criticism of their attitude isn’t going to help, and might even make things worse.
The problem of judgment and condemnation isn’t a matter of educating a closed mind; it’s one of transforming a wounded heart. And until the heart is healed of the judgment and condemnation it’s suffered over a lifetime, no amount of persuasive speech will convince someone to love others unconditionally. The healing of the heart must take place first, and then it will become the good soil that can receive the seeds of love and produce the fruit of the spirit.
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As one who rarely keepsup with the news, I’m not even sure of all the details of what prompted this post. But I do know this issue of judging and condemning isn’t limited to this. I believe this is a very insiteful and well thought out piece. It sure does pull me up short if my thoughts try to run in that direction. What is in our hearts will certainly be reveled. And sometimes we aren’t even aware what’s in there until something comes up to test it.
Such an incredibly insightful piece written about our media’s focus these days. I couldn’t have said or expressed it better if I tried. There is so much Judgment out there nowadays, you can’t escape it, even at home, all you have to do is flip on the t.v., radio or computer to hear everyone ranting & raving about someone or something. It didnt seem like this when we were younger. Have we just progressed into one huge, unhappy, bullied society to where it is the norm to accept it?
Thanks for your thoughtful, welcoming input, as always! It actually put me in a very good mood & reminded me to lay hold of my thoughts & think before I speak.
I tried to post this three times and lost the comment each time, so my response is getting shorter and shorter. Lol. I read more posts about, “loving” posts about “loving them until they get better”, than I cared to. Tacking those words on to love is just a more subtle way of judgment. I do think however that Christians definitely need to respond. In my opinion, respect, kindness, and compassion seems to be the best response and the most honest approach to love.
Excellent article! As a former Pharisee myself, I totally concur with your observations. May God help us to love one another and attempt to be understanding of the issues and problems other people walk through.
We so often forget that one sin is not worse than another, and it’s far easier to point the finger at someone else than it is to point it at ourselves. Our church is filled with people who live in fear and hide themselves from their own eyes…and we must have something to look at, right? I have been a fan of this man’s achievements for years & have been heartbroken by the changes in his life, but I am also appalled by the state of the industries that seek to make a profit off him and therefore speak to him with no concern for his long term well-being. Thank you God that you know the depths of our hearts, You know the hurt & pain this man is dealing with that would make him want to walk down this road. I have been saddened to the depths of my heart & have nothing but hope that he will see himself through the eyes of the Father. We live in a fallen world & yet are always so shocked, surprised and disgusted when people fall into the chaos and believe the lies! I don’t know his heart, but I do know people who have loved the Lord & still did some pretty strange & crazy things and we all have a cross we are bearing. I think we will be very surprised by who is in heaven when we arrive in our own time…many will be the people we have judged because we could not see them through God’s eyes ourselves & we didn’t know their heart before the Lord.
The stories of Sacred Scripture Scrolls, even especially the First Covenant and more to the point Torah (The Gospel According to Moses in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy) are centered on (Ahava) Love. Love GOD. Love others. On Purpose. Sadly, as the “church” has removed itself for over 1800 years from the rich reservoir of redemption flowing in a Jewish context, it seemed necessary for man-made doctrines and traditions to both replace and dam Jewish Living Waters of Messiah Yeshua. Just the heresy of “law vs grace” juxtaposes “New Testament-only christians” against the Central Command of Yeshua, the Son of GOD, “Love GOD. Love others.” D’varim (Deuteronomy) 6:4-9, The She’ma. So when we position the issue as “judgment” vs “love” in reacting to and relating to an “unnatural” community as if that is the pillar opposites, we have framed it judgmentally and simplistically. Who wants to be hoisted on such a horn, and experience the harshness of hate, or at the very least emotional overloads from those with hurts, habits and hang-ups? Can a rabbi get an “amen” here? Deeper and wider understanding of “Love GOD. Love others,” can not be reduced to a bumper sticker slogan, the back of a business card or even limited to 140 characters in a tweet. Representing Relationship of and in the Kingdom of GOD includes heart, head and hands to Heal.Sadly, discernment, wisdom and righteousness are pushed to footnotes in the “Old Testament” and thus few of the Body of Believers recognize the issue before us is not “either or” but “both and.”
In my short 43 year life-time as a Believer, I, myself, have experienced to rash, hollow, punishing effects of judgment-gone-wild…by people who I know factually should have known better. Having Jesus walk me through it has taught me a lot about what it takes to not respond in kind. First of all, Paul tells us that we should suffer ourselves to be defrauded, rather than pursue self-vindication, or vengeance. And, Jesus really did teach us to forgive and pray for those who defame, and slander, and persecute us. And, HS has taught me that my freedom from an evil heart is manifested when, in sincerity and honesty, I can pray for the well-fare of those who do me wrong. Outwardly, those who blindly make excuse for evil displays of condemnation and rejection can bring me ruin; but, inwardly, I have learned to control my spirit by allowing HS to subdue me. All the divisions which our country (and the world) is suffering, would be overcome if people would stop trying to defend themselves, and would give ear to what HS is saying…we are, after-all, all guilty of things worthy of judgment. The difference is that we have had our judgment paid for by the loving willing sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Who told us to love each other in that same way. I think the days of talking about love in hyperbole need to come to an and…we need to live this stuff…for real…starting now. Peace to you. ^_^
I’ve never seen anyone make such a blanket, judgmental statement about a group of people who are disgusted by sin, and then pat themselves on the back for their love and compassion. Well done, sir. So you’re judging people who make judgments by expressing what you think is in their hearts? Sounds judgmental to me. Like you said, “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” If Christians are not supposed to judge, then what about church discipline? What about restoring an erring brother? You are stating your interpretation of scripture and condemning others for theirs. If we are really not supposed to judge, wouldn’t that cover good as well as bad? You would not be able to say that you’re wife is “good” because that would be a judgment. You probably revel in the fact that someone would refer to your article as “insightful,” yet that is a judgment on their part. But they are allowed that judgment because they agree with you. I think the article is boorish and theologically weak, but I am not allowed that judgment because I disagree with you. So maybe you should be honest and state that judging is wrong only when it disagrees with yourself or others who are offended.
Thank you for dropping by pastor, Lee. Many blessings to you!
WOW. Is saying Speechless being J…………… Perhaps. Let kindness win.
A timely reminder. Soooooo timely. Maybe not for the reason this was written but for many of life’s situations. HIS kindness always melts hearts. Thank you.
I never used to like “born again” Christians! They seemed so mean and self righteous! Now with a yielded heart to Jesus I remember a handful of people who drew me toward God. None of those were corrective or nasty. They held a high standard for themselves without condemning others. They were kind, loving. I felt safe around them. It was so few!
Pm I appreciate your sharing. Kindness is a fruit of the spirit that draws us to God. Attacking, criticizing, accusing does not!
Absolutely, non-judgment can only come out of a healed heart and unless hearts are healed, condemnation will be the heart’s only response.