Do Not Judge

Let me start this note by first admitting that I’ve sat on the judgement throne for a while against others. The posts in this blog provide more than enough proof of that. And through all my long career in condemning people who by far are better than myself, what have I gained? I would say, nothing!

Instead, condemning others has only produced anger, pain, and frustrations within me. Furthermore, my career in condemning others has not produced any significant positive change in anyone. So, because I want to enjoy bliss, be useful to others, and not violate the clear instruction and example of my Master, I decided to quit the career of condemnation. Go on if you want, but don’t count me in; I’m out!

What follows are the things I noted down along the path as I pulled the plug on my judging enterprise…

#1. Judging is retroactive…

When you judge, you get judged; period.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. ..”
~ Luke 6:37

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
~ Romans 2:1

Actually, when you really dig down to the root of the matter, what human on earth has the right to sit on the judgement throne against another? Why in the world would I even think of condemning another when I’m clearly no better?

#2. Avoid the job…

See, whatever you choose to do with your life is none of my business; just don’t hurt others.

Since I decided to resign from my self-appointed role as judge, I’ve had more offers, pleas, and invitations to judge thrown at me than at any other period of my life. People would do anything to drag you into their squabbles. They want you to take their sides in their debates and arguments; they want you to validate their choices.

I would rather stay out of it; something I learnt from my Master Himself.

Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”
~ Luke 12:14

I also read this as: Don’t play the role of judge or arbiter between people. Don’t let yourself be dragged into the quarrels and fights of others. Stay out of it.

And that’s exactly what I’ve resolved to do.

#3. It’s a choice

Nobody put me up to it; It was my personal decision. I just got tired and frustrated with the job. Besides, there was absolutely no dividends in it for me. So I personally and consciously opted for the alternative.

I was inspired by Jesus, though.

You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no-one.
~ John 8:15

“As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
~ John 12:47

Man, it’s a choice; but you could try it. I personally find it tasty; quite blissful. Give it a try and quit judging.

#4. Let the Word (not your perspective of the Word) deal with the matter…

God has already spoken and made His mind clear on every subject. He’s done that through His creation, and the Holy Scriptures. It’s up to each conscious adult to fall in line or not.

“There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.”
~ John 12:48

And don’t even try to beat anybody up with this verse or that. What I think a verse means is one thing; what it really means is another. In other words, I do not believe that my personal perspective of any scripture is on a par with the totality of that scripture’s real meaning. And this goes even for what I’m writing here!

You got an eye? Amazing.  Then observe how the Maker has done things, then make your decision. You got a bible? Great. Now read it and make up your own mind for yourself. What you do with your life is none of my business. Neither I nor anyone has the right to judge another. I’ll rather let His Word (not my perspective of His Word) deal with the matter.

#5. It’s way too early to judge…

By the way, I personally believe the following regarding judgement:

  • there is judgement,
  • there is a day of judgement,
  • there is a judge,

“For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
~ Acts 17:31

However, I also believe the following:

  • this is not the day of judgement,
  • I’m not the man He has appointed,
  • and it’s way too early to condemn (or even approve of) anyone.

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”
~ 1 Corinthians 4:5

One other thing: I’m sure you are not the appointed judge either!

#6. I would never let anyone (yes…including myself!) play the judge over me

Paul hit the ball right out of the park here!

“I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.”
~ 1 Corinthians 4:3

Ponder on this: If the fact that my conscience is clear does not make me innocent, does it then mean that my conscience is not a dependable judge of right and wrong?

Hmmm…interesting. I wish I could read your mind on that one.

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.”
~ Colossians 2:16-18

Well, I’m not going to judge me, I’m not going to judge you, and I’m definitely not going to let you judge me.