Why do we judge? In the Light of the laws of the New Covenant how dare we judge?….. Yet we must…
Firstly, we all know or have been told and are supposed to know or at least like to live under the pretence that we know, that “judgment” is not supposed to be a part of our detail. “Judge NOT that you will NOT BE JUDGED”.
BUT WHY NOT?
We have to make judgment calls every day.
We judge the distance between parked cars.
We judge the amount of food we should consume so as to stay full of health yet not over eat.
We judge the severity of punishments to be handed down upon disobedient children, or fellow workers (if being an employer or manager or any position of authority).
We judge the amount of time we will spend and the effort we will put into any one task – hobby – travel – pleasure -good work or ill deed.
Yupper we are a judging bunch of fools…… but what makes us think we are qualified to be in such a position of authority to make all these judgments?
It might be said that some things mentioned above are not really “judgments” but actions which must be taken with carefully considered factors weighed and entered into the rationally executed plan. And it would be true. Although that is also a pretty good definition of the core meaning of the word “judgment“.
SOME OF THIS IS WHAT Me THINKS LEADS MANY OF US INTO TROUBLE
1) We get so used to making judgment calls in small areas of life, that we think we are good at it. This leads us to becoming desirous for the feeling of power and the pride, that comes with “being right”.
2) Once we think we are good at it, we start to believe that we should be the only one whose’ judgment or opinion should have any validity.
3) If left unchecked, this attitude becomes severely dangerous to relationships with all fellowmen, especially family and co-workers… but will rapidly expand to anyone encountered, and shortly thereafter, or already during, it is no longer funny to God, in that showing love and respect for the judgment ability of our neighbor is directly related to our ability to love Our God with our entire being.
So what is it that we should “judge” and what is best not to judge??
1) Me thinks we all would agree that the distance of parked cars is a good thing to judge…
2) As well as a correct amount of food (or drink and the likes) consumed, is a handy thing to get right, in that without an attempt at proper regulation, all sort of bad physical and mental “addictions” and maladies can be the result.
3) Executing punishments and or making laws or rules to be followed which have a “action and consequence” to them …. is a two way kind of judgment and an area where greater discernment is needed …in that we are now allowing ourselves to make a direct impact on our fellowman via both direct and indirect means, which has with it a direct responsibility…to that fellowman.
4) Another quirk of judgment is that of calculating the unseen.
Judging feelings.
Judging how someone else will react to a given situation.
Judging sin, of our own.
Judging sin of someone else sinning against us.
Judging sin of someone else that has sinned against someone else. (This last one seems to be pretty much the worlds favorite pastime: because it allows us to feel “detached” from the situation if we wish to)
BUT actually it is all the same judging: Although without the advantage of “rear view mirrors” – “time clocks or curfew clocks” – “calorie counters” – belt notches, and the likes, we all need something else or someone else to aid us in making our insight keen.
Especially when it comes to estimating the effects of Sin. Most everything involved in this type of judgment call does have a direct impact on our fellowman either in our actions toward or opinion of that fellowman.
1) This would seem to be where it is best if God comes in.. And it is extremely loving of Our God don’t You think? To have dedicated Fully 1/3 of His Being, in the Person of the Holy Spirit,(which in the case of The Triune Deity 1/3 equates into 100% ) “to being willing” to enter into each and every human, and guide each and every “judgment” that needs to be made, in matters both seen and unseen, if we will only let Him.
2) A full and correct judgment of sin within ourselves, by ourselves, is impossible. Due to the fact that once we are in a state of sin, that in itself, is proof that correct Heavenly Discernment or 100% proper Judgment is already impaired.
3a) When considering sins we have allowed ourselves to commit against or involving others, such self qualified judgments become more then impossible, to the extent that the impaired factor has now at least doubled.
a1) Oh sure we can judge the initial hurts we have laid on someone, oh sure we can somewhat feel the anguish and relate to the suffering we have caused, but only to the extent that our minds eye can visualize our own past hurts.
We can not feel the total pain, nor assess the interior damage done to our fellow human being and maybe they can’t even see it, simply because we have not lived their life and can not draw from their past experiences to formulate the entirety of the hurt of which we are the cause. Nor can we stay focused long enough, and may not live on earth long enough, to see the fallout and spin-off sins of others caused by our shortcomings.
LET ALONE feel the anguish of God who sees all things, Loves all of His Creation, and is waiting for each of us to ask His help in the discernment, that we may be fully forgiven, to the point that we accept His forgiveness and prove it by forgiving everyone else and ourselves.
4) He wishes to give this discernment and proper judgment so that we can see what He sees.
4a) That at the same time we get a glimpse of the horrific malice – hatreds – vile stench -and confusions from which our sins are all born, (and this alone should be enough to have us turn to Him, for the further needed help, out of disgust of such things) we will look beyond and be overwhelmed by the complete beauty – romance – tender loving kindnesses, which surround the peace in His Heart, thereby being enchanted and become desirous to possess the latter rather then the former.
4b) He has judged us each worthy of receiving these good gifts, by the decree of us having been created by Him. (as some wise old hippie once put it “God Don’t Make Junk and He Can Fix Anything”)
5) Moreover “willing to help us” have proper judgment, that we may receive the fullness of these good things, is the understatement of the universe. He COMMANDS us to receive them.
NOT overtaking us as some super computer mainframe operating a robotic factory of do-gooders.
NOT forcing thoughts or causing actions for some entertainment value or personal gain, as many of us would seem to like to have Him do and the enemy would have us continue down that path.
But instead simply guiding us, shepherding us is one way He likes to explain it, for our own good and for the good of the entire flock …setting parameters for our free will to flourish within.
A freedom within which, many a “judgment” must still be made and He being desirous to give us the good sense (grace if you will) to make proper judgment and be there to assist when our own judgment is lacking and we are in need of Someone that can see the unseen.
Conclusion:
These thoughts have been spurred by a wise Priest of the Catholic Church, that when writing an excerpt about the 4th of July and the “Declaration of Independence” and the freedoms brought about by that document. He equated it to a far deeper “declaration” and made reference to a loving declaration in our personal relationship with Our Personal God…thereby calling us to embrace a “Declaration of Dependence”.
Yup: Me thinks in that light it is best to allow the judging to be done by The One True God, that can weigh all the factors and “be right” every time. Yet be awake and willing to take upon oneself those “judgments” that are well within the graces possessed.
THIS is best for the individual and for the flock.
Does it sound like something that we ALL should attempt? For with God all thing are possible.