Judgment

Joyce C. Lock
by Susan Farrell
Reproduced with Permission

What a difficult subject to address! From the moment we open our eyes, in the mornings, until we lay our heads on our pillows, at night, we judge. We look out of our windows and judge the state of the weather. We judge the colour of our toast and the texture of our porridge, and whether or not our coffee is hot enough! We judge the people around us and we judge ourselves.

We judge the other road users, driving to work, and we harshly judge the traffic officer who dares to pull us over; after catching us using our cell phones while driving or for skipping a red robot because we are late for work.

We judge our workmates. Are they hung over, after 'the night before'? Are they grumpy, sad, or happy? Ah, glorious judgment; providing, of course, that it is not aimed at our selves!

How do you think that God judges us? Well, how about: "You didn't say your prayers before you went to bed, last night. Or, you flirted with a married man/women at the work function because Mrs. or Mr. ...Êwasn't present!" A really good one would be, "I saw you watching porn on the Company's inter-net, yesterday."

Judgment! You know what, the human race can sure dish it out, but can they take it? I know, I can't. I instinctively go into 'strike back mode'. I recoil from a beggar; judging him dirty and lacking in dignity. I judge before I think. I make assumptions (often the wrong one, might I add) based upon my judgment of a situation.

I, too, like to be accepted by the "in" set; stupidly thinking that, by being accepted by them, I can guarantee that I am not the topic of their brutal conversation. They judge me worthy of their company. That is, until they have sucked me dry of all usable gossip and moved on to the next victim.

See, I am judging them. Dreadful disease isn't it? Oh, doctor, I'm in trouble! Well, goodness gracious me!

To change a mind set, one, first, has to admit to having it. Say, after me, "I am a judgmental person. I judge others; not by God's teachings but, against my own flawed perceptions. I do not keep to the teachings of Jesus when he said, 'Do not judge or you, too, will be judged. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in another's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own? You hypocrite, first, see to the plank in your own eye so that you can see clearly enough to remove the speak from another's eye,'" (Mathew 7 verse 1 to 5)Êor, the more modern statement, 'Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones!'"

Overcoming judgmental behavior is, literally, a moment-by-moment exercise. "Oops, I did it, again," becomes the regular mantra. (I will not judge you. I will not judge you. Do not judge lest you be judged.) Not getting sucked into the judgment game is so difficult, especially if you are a woman; it's an integral part of our make up!

We women vie, with each other, to keep up with the latest fashion trends. A true fashion guru can spot a fake designer label a mile off. "Grief, just look at what she's wearing!" Men have cars and sport, we judge the rest. (Gasp, that is such a judgmental statement).

How can we try and live out God's commandment regarding judgment? Personally, whenever I'm tempted to judge another human being, I remember some awful thing that I have done and that God has forgiven me for. This keeps me humble. I sin every day of my life, in one way or another, and God keeps forgiving me. How, then, can I judge another? What shall I say? "Lord, please don't judge my behavior, but just look what so and so is doing!" I think not!

I quote, from the Lord's prayer, as taught to us by Jesus Christ, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us." We are asking God to forgive us and not to pass judgment against us. So, likewise, we must forgive and not pass judgment against others.

Have the courage to live in a constant state of awareness of your own sins, before you notice another's, and I can, almost, guarantee you that you will slowly stop judging your fellow human beings behavior. It may only be a fractional change, at first. But, that tiny change may save another's life, not to mention their dignity!

So what if the girl, in the office, wears the same pair of shoes three times a week? You don't know her circumstances. So, instead of passing a cruel remark, look into her eyes and smile as you say, "Your hair looks pretty, today."

Or, tell a guy that the job was well done, even if it wasn't done exactly to your specifications. Tell a loved one that you appreciated their efforts, even if they did trash the kitchen. Or, here is a biggie, tell your mother in-law how you appreciate her input with regard to how you raise your children! I can hear you gnashing your teeth!

The payback in joy and the feeling of achievement, within your heart and soul, is awesome! In fact, you may just get so hooked on the rush that you begin to overcome one of humankind's worst traits (one jury sitting at a time) and, in passing sentence, firmly declare, "Your Honor, I find him/her not guilty!"

© by Susan Farrell

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