“I
Don’t Want to Judge . . .”
“I don’t
want to judge anyone -- it is not my place to judge.” So often we hear such
sentiments. We are accustomed to being tolerant and loving, forgiving, tender
and kind -- and that is very, very good. I wonder if one is truly tolerant,
kind, and loving by refusing to judge properly. We ought all to remember
Jesus’ words, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge
righteous judgment” (John 7:24).
“Do not
judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you
will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matt.
7:1-2, NIV). Often this verse has been taken to mean all judgment is
forbidden. But there is a qualifying phrase, “or you too will be
judged.” This is the consequence one may expect when judging
others. The next verse shows that judgment of self must precede any judgment
of others.
But is Jesus saying that we will be judged
eternally by the way we judge others? Consider that Jesus is expressing a
common human trait. We generally get from others what we give them. The way we
judge others is how they judge us. That being the case, we ought to judge
others with the kind of judgment we hope they might extend to us. It is about
the same as the “Golden Rule.” So we ought to judge — righteously.
The verb form
of this word comes from the Greek word, krinw.
Vine says it “primarily denotes ‘to separate,
select, choose,’ hence, ‘to determine,’ and so to ‘judge, pronounce
judgment’.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Part
of Paul’s prayer for the church at Philippi was, “That you may approve
things that are excellent...,” (Phil. 1:10). Not an easy
task, it surely is a necessary one. Discernment based on facts and prompted by
genuine love is never sinful.
Love never
shuns righteous judgment. A physician whose “compassion” weighs more than
his concern for hurting a patient is reprehensible. Sometimes pills are bitter
and remedies hurt. There are times when failure to judge shows more lack of
love than it does genuine concern for another. Which would you rather have --
someone to refuse to tell you the truth out of consideration for your
feelings, or someone who will lovingly inform you of imminent danger?
Marital
problems, like mine fields, require great caution. Compassion and emotions
often sway our judgment. Those who become enmeshed in divorce will more times
than not end up in adultery. When
that happens, it is natural to want to walk carefully into such a “mine
field.” But what is love? Is it love to justify adultery? Is it love to
condone a sinful relationship? You see, God has judged already on such a
situation. He has condemned adultery. He expressed His emotional reaction to
breaking up marriage. Mal. 2:16 reads
“For the LORD, the God of Israel,
saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment,
saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not
treacherously.”
Both the New King James and New
International versions substitute the word “divorce” for
“putting away.” Has God given His judgment on divorce? How can our judgments
be different from His -- if we love like He loves?
Frankly, I appreciate the judgment of
others, even the kind that appears to be unkind, censorious, and cruel. I
can reject that which I find to be completely inappropriate and unjustified. I
can also recognize that when I am shown the errors and mistakes of my life, I
can discern both the basis and motive of such judgment. But regardless of the
motive, the basis for judging others must be soundly rooted in fact. Emotions
are hard to put aside, but they sure get in the way when righteous judgment is
required. So, don’t you agree that we ought not to say, “I don’t want
to judge anyone — it is not my place to judge.” Go ahead, judge me — it
will help me. — DRS
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