Ask the Pastor

By Pastor Scott Denham of Harvest Fellowship, Shambaugh, IA

The Clarinda Herald Journal, publication date : 04/05/2006

 

You’re Judging Me!

 

Pastor Scott,

       “What is the difference between discerning and judging?”

 

       If you would have wisdom in this life, for yourself and for those your love, you must be able to judge whether a thing is good or bad. Judgment is applied when considering a marriage partner, entering into friendship, or finding good child-care. Judgment is essential for business transactions, political persuasions, and all moral choices.

       Many a caring person has tried to rescue a friend from a moral failing only to be met with the retaliatory defense of; “you’re judging me!” This defense has been a secure fortress to which many have run, to escape the shame or painful call to change. The loving friend feels the guilt of the accusation, and backs off--often to the detriment of the other, who remains unmoved in their demise.

       Jesus said, “Do not judge or you will be judged” (Matt 7:1). So, who is the erring party here? The answer to this dilemma lies in our understanding of whether this is discernment or judgment.

       When you read the word “judge” in the scriptures, you are looking at two different families of words in the original language. One set of words may be better translated “discern” and simply means to make a distinction. This I will call a loving judgment that is integral to wise living. The other Greek word is what we call a condemnatory judgment. This form of judgment is not redemptive, falls short of true compassion, and may even have an attitude of superiority.

       David Guzik says, “Jesus calls us to know people by their fruits [behaviors], and some sort of assessment is necessary for that. The Christian is called to unconditionally love; but he is not called to unconditional approval--we really can love people who do things we do not approve of. Instead, Jesus is speaking against being judgmental, that is, judging motives and the inner man, which only God can know. Jesus is not prohibiting judgment of others; He is only requiring that it be completely fair, and that we only judge others by a standard we would also like to be judged by.”

       When discernment leads us to correct another or to voice our disapproval, may we do so in love and humility, seeking the highest good. Frank A. Clark says it best: “Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots."

       --Pastor Scott

To submit your anonymous question for Pastor Scott, you may write to: Ask The Pastor, PO Box 98, Shambaugh, IA 51651, or harvest@heartland.net, and on the web at www.askpastorscott.com