Judging
One of the clearest indications of the greed and selfishness of our society are the frivolous lawsuits plaguing cities, hospitals and businesses. Every day people turn inconveniences or minor injuries into settlements costing millions. The coffee was too hot, a doctor made a mistake, the sidewalk was cracked, and suddenly lawyers are in court.
Since human error is a part of our race (“there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” Pr.14:12), costly steps have been taken to minimize exposure to lawsuits. Hospitals and businesses rely as little as possible on imprecise human judgment. Knowing every decision may be scrutinized by a judge and jury, they prepare a defense by relying on instruments, computers, and tests to validate their conclusions. Then, when they are taken to court, they can show the exact facts upon which they made their assessment. For their own protection against error they are trained to avoid personal assessments and to base all judgment on what the instruments reveal.
This is exactly what our Lord wants us to do! Every time we are faced with an opportunity to form an opinion or judgment, we are strongly warned never to rely on our own wisdom. The same fallibility facing doctors in hospitals and employees in businesses faces Christians in the church. We must never form our own opinions regarding doctrine or morality since “the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer 10:23). Since we are fallible, we must “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet 4:11), and “learn not to go beyond the things which are written” (1 Cor. 4:6). The danger and consequences of a mistake are far too great: “in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Mt 15:9) and “whosoever goes onward and abides not in the teaching of Christ, has not God” (II Jn. 9). Unless it is clearly documented and spelled out by God’s word, we are foolish to form opinions and judgments.
But while most faithful Christians understand and are very cautious with doctrine and morals, it is far more difficult to be cautious in forming opinions about the character and attitudes of others. Because “the word of God is living and active and ... able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12), we are often emboldened to do the same. But once again we are faced with our limitations. God’s word is a precise and accurate instrument to make assessments, but we are not! It is too easy to miss something and make a wrong assessment. “The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him” (Pr. 18:17). One fact can change everything and only God knows all the facts. So it is better not to judge than it is to judge and be wrong.
Our Lord was very clear about our own personal assessments of others. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Mt. 7:1-2). The doctor knows exactly what this means in his own profession. When he uses his own wisdom, his judgment can be flawed and later used to condemn him. When he uses precise instruments and withholds his own judgment, he will be found blameless. It is not enough to feel a forehead. He must use a thermometer!
In the same way, we must use God’s word to make our assessments – “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). If there is nothing in God’s word to form an opinion, then we are not to have one. We defer those things to God and then in compassion and mercy “believe all things” by putting the very best motives and reasons we can (1 Cor. 13:7). When we judge with compassion and mercy, we will be judged with compassion and mercy.
What a relief! As a servant of God, it is not our role to figure all this out. We don’t have the tools, wisdom, or knowledge to do it. Paul commanded: “judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.” (1 Cor 4:2-5). So like the parable of the tares, if God’s word does not clearly identify a tare, then we “let both grow together until the harvest.” It is much better to do this than to “uproot the wheat with them” (Mt. 13:29-30).
It is easier and much more pleasant to live our lives in this way. Instead of being a detective and following up on every hunch and suspicion, we can “put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another” (Col 3:12-13). The next time we feel a need to make a harsh assessment against our fellow man, we need to stop and carefully consider the consequences. “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (Jas 2:13).
We have the power to affect the manner in which we are judged. We can be judged with mercy, compassion and given the benefit of the doubt if this is how we judge others. Remember “with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” If we want him to put the worst possible motives on what we do, quickly form his judgment and refuse to change it, all we have to do is judge and measure it out like that to others. Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.” If we want mercy later, we must show mercy now.
Since human error is a part of our race (“there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” Pr.14:12), costly steps have been taken to minimize exposure to lawsuits. Hospitals and businesses rely as little as possible on imprecise human judgment. Knowing every decision may be scrutinized by a judge and jury, they prepare a defense by relying on instruments, computers, and tests to validate their conclusions. Then, when they are taken to court, they can show the exact facts upon which they made their assessment. For their own protection against error they are trained to avoid personal assessments and to base all judgment on what the instruments reveal.
This is exactly what our Lord wants us to do! Every time we are faced with an opportunity to form an opinion or judgment, we are strongly warned never to rely on our own wisdom. The same fallibility facing doctors in hospitals and employees in businesses faces Christians in the church. We must never form our own opinions regarding doctrine or morality since “the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer 10:23). Since we are fallible, we must “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet 4:11), and “learn not to go beyond the things which are written” (1 Cor. 4:6). The danger and consequences of a mistake are far too great: “in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Mt 15:9) and “whosoever goes onward and abides not in the teaching of Christ, has not God” (II Jn. 9). Unless it is clearly documented and spelled out by God’s word, we are foolish to form opinions and judgments.
But while most faithful Christians understand and are very cautious with doctrine and morals, it is far more difficult to be cautious in forming opinions about the character and attitudes of others. Because “the word of God is living and active and ... able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12), we are often emboldened to do the same. But once again we are faced with our limitations. God’s word is a precise and accurate instrument to make assessments, but we are not! It is too easy to miss something and make a wrong assessment. “The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him” (Pr. 18:17). One fact can change everything and only God knows all the facts. So it is better not to judge than it is to judge and be wrong.
Our Lord was very clear about our own personal assessments of others. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Mt. 7:1-2). The doctor knows exactly what this means in his own profession. When he uses his own wisdom, his judgment can be flawed and later used to condemn him. When he uses precise instruments and withholds his own judgment, he will be found blameless. It is not enough to feel a forehead. He must use a thermometer!
In the same way, we must use God’s word to make our assessments – “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). If there is nothing in God’s word to form an opinion, then we are not to have one. We defer those things to God and then in compassion and mercy “believe all things” by putting the very best motives and reasons we can (1 Cor. 13:7). When we judge with compassion and mercy, we will be judged with compassion and mercy.
What a relief! As a servant of God, it is not our role to figure all this out. We don’t have the tools, wisdom, or knowledge to do it. Paul commanded: “judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.” (1 Cor 4:2-5). So like the parable of the tares, if God’s word does not clearly identify a tare, then we “let both grow together until the harvest.” It is much better to do this than to “uproot the wheat with them” (Mt. 13:29-30).
It is easier and much more pleasant to live our lives in this way. Instead of being a detective and following up on every hunch and suspicion, we can “put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another” (Col 3:12-13). The next time we feel a need to make a harsh assessment against our fellow man, we need to stop and carefully consider the consequences. “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (Jas 2:13).
We have the power to affect the manner in which we are judged. We can be judged with mercy, compassion and given the benefit of the doubt if this is how we judge others. Remember “with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” If we want him to put the worst possible motives on what we do, quickly form his judgment and refuse to change it, all we have to do is judge and measure it out like that to others. Judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.” If we want mercy later, we must show mercy now.