The Sin of Being Non-Judgmental
Probably one of the frequently mentioned and misunderstood teaching Jesus of Christ is this: “Do not judge so that you will not be judged” (Matt. 7:1). It really is used as a form of rhetoric for the purpose of privatizing beliefs. A number of folks are under the impression that religious beliefs are simply personal values that must be privatized and have no place in the public arena. From this perspective, one might have an opinion on moral issues (e.g. abortion, homosexuality, gay marriage, etc) or doctrine (e.g. charismatic gifts, election, the rapture), but they dare not speak their mind, lest they get the infamous rebuke… “Do not judge,” which is a more sanctimonious way of saying, “shut up.” Yet, this is not what Jesus meant to communicate.
Jesus is really talking about having a just measure. He sets forth the prohibition “Do not judge so that you will not be judged,” (v.1) but then explains the reason is “in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure it will be measured to you” (v. 2). This is a lesson on reciprocity. If one operates with a warped sense of justice, inevitably that person may just get the same treatment. However, it is right for the one who sows righteousness to reap righteous rewards.
The key to having a right measure involves having a clear perception of things (3-5). One can only laugh at the illustration of a person with a log lodged in his eye trying to clear out a speck of saw dust in the eye of another person. If one does not know the way, then it is silly for that person to give directions. This does not mean the truth is unknowable; rather, it means one must have understanding before offering instruction. The blind cannot lead the blind. It is when one takes the log out that they can see clearly to remove the speck in the other person’s eye. God wants us to see things clearly and help others who are trapped in error.
The very idea that “Do not judge” forbids making any judgments is precluded with Jesus' next thought: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” It is obvious that living out the command demands the disciple to make a fair assessment of a situation so as not to hand over sacred things to “dogs” and “swine.” In other words, the Christian is to know the right time and place to share truth to those in darkness. Just as one would not want to feed dogs or pigs living in the wild as these creatures occasionally attack humans, the believer is to use discernment in sharing the truth, navigating away from those set in despising the sacred. The same principle is reflected in the proverb: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes” (Prov. 26:4-5).
To say God condemns making any value judgments simply misses the mark. It is the sin of being non-judgmental. In reality, Christ’s command “Do not judge” is really a call for Christians to make righteous judgments on matters base upon just scales, to see things clearly in situations so as not to mislead, and to know when it is the appropriate time and place to speak out the truth in love. Christ’s Words are about having good discernment skills in an age where darkness has blinded the eyes of many. Blaise Pascal had rightly stated: “Truth is so obscured nowadays and lies so well established that unless we love the truth we shall never recognize it” (Pensees, XXVI. 739).
Jesus is really talking about having a just measure. He sets forth the prohibition “Do not judge so that you will not be judged,” (v.1) but then explains the reason is “in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure it will be measured to you” (v. 2). This is a lesson on reciprocity. If one operates with a warped sense of justice, inevitably that person may just get the same treatment. However, it is right for the one who sows righteousness to reap righteous rewards.
The key to having a right measure involves having a clear perception of things (3-5). One can only laugh at the illustration of a person with a log lodged in his eye trying to clear out a speck of saw dust in the eye of another person. If one does not know the way, then it is silly for that person to give directions. This does not mean the truth is unknowable; rather, it means one must have understanding before offering instruction. The blind cannot lead the blind. It is when one takes the log out that they can see clearly to remove the speck in the other person’s eye. God wants us to see things clearly and help others who are trapped in error.
The very idea that “Do not judge” forbids making any judgments is precluded with Jesus' next thought: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” It is obvious that living out the command demands the disciple to make a fair assessment of a situation so as not to hand over sacred things to “dogs” and “swine.” In other words, the Christian is to know the right time and place to share truth to those in darkness. Just as one would not want to feed dogs or pigs living in the wild as these creatures occasionally attack humans, the believer is to use discernment in sharing the truth, navigating away from those set in despising the sacred. The same principle is reflected in the proverb: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes” (Prov. 26:4-5).
To say God condemns making any value judgments simply misses the mark. It is the sin of being non-judgmental. In reality, Christ’s command “Do not judge” is really a call for Christians to make righteous judgments on matters base upon just scales, to see things clearly in situations so as not to mislead, and to know when it is the appropriate time and place to speak out the truth in love. Christ’s Words are about having good discernment skills in an age where darkness has blinded the eyes of many. Blaise Pascal had rightly stated: “Truth is so obscured nowadays and lies so well established that unless we love the truth we shall never recognize it” (Pensees, XXVI. 739).
Comments
Post a Comment