Don’t judge me! That’s an oft heard refrain from people who are sometimes trying to justify conduct they know is wrong. Granted, some people can be overly “judgmental” and harsh, at times. But, more often than not, when a person makes this kind of statement it is because he is stinging from the rebuke of his own guilty conscience.
As amazing as it may sound, it seems to me that some people just don’t want you to make any judgments about a person’s conduct or character anymore. But, I wonder if they have ever stopped to consider the consequences of such a position? For instance, should we not judge someone as to whether he/she is responsible enough to take our children/grandchildren away on trips? Should we not judge someone as to whether he/she has the qualifications and integrity to handle our personal and/or business finances? Should we not judge the truthfulness of the telemarketer that says he’ll ship the item as soon as he receives our check? Should we not judge the moral character of the teacher that has unrestricted access and authority over our students? Should we not judge the criminal who believes he deserves his freedom because he’s a changed man?
Dominic Cinelli was serving three concurrent life sentences when he was paroled by the Massachusetts Parole Board. He was a violent offender with a long criminal history, but he won his release by telling the board members that his drug counseling and the death of his mother had truly changed him. This past year on December 26, 2010, Dominic killed a police officer, who was the father of two young children, during a department store robbery. Don’t you see how bad judgment can have severe or even fatal consequences?
Now certainly, most people complaining about being “judged” aren’t going to kill you for pointing out their bad behavior. But, failure to use good judgment is the reason corrupt politicians keep getting elected to office. It’s the reason young people are introduced to drugs by their peers. It’s the reason spouses get involved in sordid affairs. It’s the reason the Bernie Madoffs of the world are successful in scamming people. It’s the reason churches are split by seemingly spiritual people that are really wolves in sheep’s clothing.
You get the point, don’t you? Judging conduct and character is absolutely necessary to maintain a safe, spiritual and orderly life. If you fail to use good judgment, you will quickly become known as being gullible and considered naive by most people. Those that fail to make appropriate judgments about conduct and character inevitably become the prey of nefarious prowlers.
Oh, but someone will say, “The Bible says we’re not to judge, doesn’t it?” Just making that statement or one similar to it displays the gullibility and naivete of the one who advances it. And, those that scream the loudest telling us that Christians shouldn’t be judgmental have rarely read the entire passage where the text is found and certainly don’t know the context before and after it.
Yes, the Bible says, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1) But, that doesn’t mean we are supposed to suspend all judgment at all times. Later, in the same chapter, we are instructed to make good judgments about people, conduct and character. Read it for yourself and pay careful attention to the parts of the text that usually get overlooked or ignored by those who are trying to defend their own evil conduct and/or guilty conscience.
What is really forbidden is “condemning” another person with a harsh, self-righteous spirit. And, might I add, no one should ever approach another person with correction when it is done in that spirit. None of us is above failing and all of us have come short of God’s perfect standard. However, we had better learn to make sound judgments about people and their conduct/character. If we don’t, we are sure to be the Devil’s “sitting ducks” and he’ll pick us off one at a time.
It’s time we stopped being afraid of the “judgmental” label and that we begged God to give us a discerning spirit to make insightful, though humble, judgments. Our world is dying for lack of discernment about good and bad, right and wrong. Too many Christians are unable to recognize their enemy from their friend. Consequently, they buddy up with the very people/things that are going to bring them down.
It’s time we stopped believing that everybody has a right to define truth as they want it to be and that we declare, “Thus says the Lord!” We don’t need to be mean-spirited, but if you can’t point out the profligate character and conduct of people (e.g., Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan) that is destroying their lives and others with them, then your family has no chance of knowing right from wrong. What we need is some conviction from people who serve the God who defines right and wrong. It would be better to be thought by some to be “judgmental” than to be known by most as being “spineless.”
It’s not my place or yours to “condemn” anybody. But, I’m not about to be silent about the things that I know God defines as right or wrong. How about you?
