Several months ago, I went on a rant about judging. I generally came to the conclusion that I had hoped wouldn’t happen… Of all the “judgers”, I am the worst. I’ve thought about the whole judgmental thing a lot this year and I must admit that I haven’t looked to Scripture enough about the topic.
Matthew 7 is probably the most “famous” passage on the topic. I’m used to the NIV verbage, in fact perhaps so much that I gloss over its meaning. So, I look to The Message. Ugh. It gets a little ugly.
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.”
Maybe I want to go back to glossing over… “Ugly sneer”? Am I really that bad?
Over the past couple of years, I’ve been involved in several things that have ultimately tested my judging spirit. With a “holier-than-thou” attitude, I “ask” them in private conversation with myself, “How can you live with them and yourself? How can you even look at them, much less yourself, in the mirror?”
Funny how the tables turn.
When similar events impact your own world, how can I ask those same questions of myself? The other side of judging isn’t nearly as “perfect minded” as one sees when they are DOING the judging.
I see this picture of Jesus, a kind hearted yet just person who truly could see into the hearts of others. I see Him as having an unfair advantage. By nature, we make daily observations about the world around us. And those observations often turn into judgmental thinking. I walk into a house and don’t like the color on the wall and immediately think about painting it “Determined Orange” or “Botticelli Red” or “Cracker Bitz”. Am I being unjust in my thinking? What happens when I turn those observations to people? How can I attempt to have the same Spirit of looking at people’s hearts the same as I see with Jesus? Is this even beyond my scope as a human? I asked the question of someone yesterday, “where’s the line between observing and judging?” They replied, “if I responded, then I’d be judging.” Not an easy question to answer.
It’s hard being on the other side. I’m not sure yet if it’s made my own heart more aware and “accepting” of others or if it’s made me callous and jaded. Time will tell. I pray that ultimately I’m on neither side.
