Uncharitable judging
is what is forbidden
"Do not judge--or you too will be judged."
Matthew 7:1
It is better to have eyes for beauty--than for blemish. It is
better to be able to see the roses--than the thorns. It is
better to have learned to look for things to commend in
others--than for things to condemn. Of course, other people have
faults--and we are not blind to them. But then, we have faults
of our own--and this should make us charitable!
We have a divine teaching on the subject. Our Lord Jesus said,
"Do not judge--or you too will be judged." We need to understand
just what the words mean. We cannot help judging others. We
ought to be able to read character, and to know whether men are
good or bad. As we watch men's acts--we cannot help forming
opinions about them. The holier we grow, and the more like
Christ--the keener will our moral judgments be. We are not
bidden to shut our eyes--and to be blind to people's faults and
sins.
What, then, do our Lord's words mean? It
is uncharitable judgment against which He warns us. We
are not to look for the evil things in others. We are not to see
others through the warped glasses of prejudice and unkindly
feeling. We are not to arrogate to ourselves the function of
judging--as if others were answerable to us! We are to avoid a
critical or censorious spirit. Nothing is said against speaking
of the good in those we see and know; it is uncharitable judging
and speaking, which Jesus condemns.
One reason why judging is wrong--is because it is putting one's
self in God's place. He is the only Judge, with whom every human
soul has to do. Judgment is not ours--but God's. "There is only
one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.
But you--who are you to judge your neighbor?" James 4:12. In
condemning and censuring others--we are thrusting ourselves into
God's place, taking His scepter into our hands, and presuming to
exercise one of His sole prerogatives!
Another reason for this command--is that we cannot judge others
justly and fairly. We have not sufficient knowledge of them.
Paul says: "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time;
wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden
in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts." 1
Corinthians 4:5. Our judgments cannot be anything but faulty,
partial and superficial.
J. R. Miller, Judging Others, 1894
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