Monthly Archives: February 2024
“The Limits of Non-Judgmentalism”
“Matt. 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
Matt. 7:2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2, English Standard Version)
This morning, in my virtual 12-step meeting, we discussed the topic of judgmentalism. There were many wise and helpful comments made.
A couple of people pointed out that judging—even when you don’t have a lot of facts—is not always a bad thing. In fact, there are times when swiftly judging people or circumstances might keep us alive. If someone pulls a gun and waves it around, it might be wise to make a quick judgment. One person pointed out that there are times when judgment might be better called “discernment”.
But the consensus of the group seemed to be that judgment was a bad thing. One of my fellow-addicts said that he used to judge people by the cars they drove. If a person drove a fancy car, they were a “jerk”. (I cleaned this up a bit, compared to the word my 12-step friend actually used.) Then, he met a guy who was the nicest guy in the world. The guy was driving a BMW the first time they got together for coffee. They became good friends.
Of course, I was thinking about what Jesus said about judging. As Oswald Chambers pointed out long ago, Jesus had a very simply admonition for those who are inclined to judge: DON’T! To quote a more recent philosopher, Bob Newhard, “Stop it!”
As we were talking in my group, I suddenly realized that I had been adding something to Jesus’ command that isn’t actually there. I had been adding to Jesus’ words, which is probably not the wisest thing in the world to do. Jesus said, “Don’t judge.” I had understood this to mean “Don’t judge others.” I looked at the Greek New Testament for Jesus’ command. To my shock, it doesn’t have a direct object. There is no word “others” in this verse.
Now, in the immediate context, it is clear that Jesus is referring to not judging others. So, I was not totally off-base in my interpretation. However, I wonder why Jesus didn’t make it clear from the get-go that he was talking about judging others. Of course, it is always hazardous to speculate as to why someone didn’t say something. Still, I wonder. Is it possible that Jesus was saying that we should not even judge ourselves?
In fact, the Apostle Paul does say it this way in a letter to Corinthian believers. Paul says, “I don’t even judge myself.” (1 Corinthians 4:3-5) It may be that Paul was unpacking and applying this saying of Jesus.
In any case, here is what I’ve noticed: The more I judge myself in a harsh and unhealthy way, the more I tend to judge others in the same way. Perhaps I just get tired of judging myself and project my self-blame onto others. It is also possible that judging others is simply more fun.
I think I need to take a break from judging myself for a while. After all, it is God who is ultimately the Judge. And God will judge me with love, fairness, and compassion.
There is also a persistent rumor that God judged all the sins of all the people of the whole world at the cross of Christ. If that is true, then we need to get off our own backs as well as everybody else’s back.
“Delighting in Being Told What to Do?!?”
“Psa. 112:1 Praise the LORD!
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commandments!
2 His offspring will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.
5 It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;
who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 For the righteous will never be moved;
he will be remembered forever.
7 He is not afraid of bad news;
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,
until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.
9 He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn is exalted in honor.
10 The wicked man sees it and is angry;
he gnashes his teeth and melts away;
the desire of the wicked will perish!”
Kidner, in his excellent commentary on the Psalms in the Tyndale series, writes,
“The opening verses are unclouded: an idyllic picture of piety and prosperity which calls to mind the beginning of the book of Job. The fact that this person is a man of character, not merely of property, will emerge chiefly in the later verses, but already his godliness shows itself as an enthusiasm rather than a burden. . . . To this man God’s word is as fascinating as are his works to the naturalist; and the term used for it, his commandments, implies that his interest is practical. What grips him is God’s will and call.” (pages 433-434).
Yet, I don’t know of anyone who likes being told what to do. And to speak of delighting in being told what to do? This is just plain absurd. I am deeply skeptical about anyone who says that they are telling me that I have to do something, even if they say it is for my own good. In large part, that is because of my own selfish willfulness. But also, I more than suspect that most of the time, commandments are for the commandment-giver’s sake, rather than mine.
And let’s call it a spade and not a shovel. Most of the time we are right to question commandments. Many are arbitrary and unnecessary. Some of them are downright evil. To do what we’re told to do, to follow orders, is not always the best thing to do. I’m inclined to say that is not even often the best thing to do.
But what if there were someone giving commandments who completely understood everything and loved us perfectly? I suppose that, if there were such a person, all his/her commands would truly be for our ultimate good.
Of course, many people do believe in such a Person. Some of us call that Person “God”. We believe in that Person—sort of. But the truth is, we don’t believe in such a Person very consistently. When this Person who is pure love and perfect wisdom gives us a command, we demonstrate how little we really believe in such a Person. We hesitate, we grouse, we rationalize, we procrastinate.
How can we get over such practical atheism? Let me propose an experiment. Just for today, how would it be if we prayed a simple prayer that would go something like this: “God, just for today, give a command or two or a few. I will obey and see how delighted I am by the end of the day.” Of course, you can customize this prayer as you see fit.
There is only one way to find out if God’s commandments are truly delightful. That is the way of trust and obedience. How would it be if we got all scientific about this and experimented with it? There’s only one way to find out!
DOWN TO EARTH BELIEVER
- “Even a Sliver of Light” April 9, 2024“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:6, English Standard Version) I missed the total eclipse yesterday. There were a number of good reasons for this, but […]
- “The Process in Miracles and the Miracle of Process” March 11, 2024“2 Kings 5:1 Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Now the Syrians on one of their raids […]
- “The Power of Encouragement—Even for Old People” March 10, 2024“But encourage each other every day while it is ‘today.’ Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you.” (Hebrews 3:13, New Century Version) Yesterday, I was walking at a nearby park. There was a large group of young people some of whom were running while other young people […]
- “Endurance” March 10, 2024“For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” (Hebrews 10:36, English Standard Version) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us […]
- “The Limits of Non-Judgmentalism” February 24, 2024“Matt. 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. Matt. 7:2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2, English Standard Version) This morning, in my virtual 12-step meeting, we discussed the topic of judgmentalism. There were many wise […]
- “Delighting in Being Told What to Do?!?” February 23, 2024“Psa. 112:1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures […]
- “Character is the Real Lesson” January 19, 2024I am often confused about what lesson I’m really supposed to be learning. For example, this morning I was trying to knock out several Spanish lessons. My intentions were a lot better than my internet connection. I’ve done three lessons. Or rather, I’ve done two lessons. One of them I did twice because the internet […]
- “The Year of Becoming Un-Planked” January 1, 2024Each year, I try to come up with one word or a short phrase for what I intend to work on in the upcoming year. 2024 is “The Year of Becoming Un-Planked”. What?!! What does that even mean? So glad that you asked! Jesus said to his disciples, “Why do you look at the speck […]
- “Searching for the Noble One” December 26, 2023My wife and I were reading Luke, chapter 2 on Christmas Day. Luke 2 talks about the shepherds being told to look for this very special child—in fact, this King—in a stable. I prefer the word “barn”. I grew up on a farm. I know what a barn is. A stable is entirely too biblical […]
- “That Don’t Impress God Much” December 14, 2023DTEB, “That Don’t Impress God Much” “That Don’t Impress Me Much” (Song by Robert John Lange and Shania Twain) Micah 6:8 (MSG) “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be […]
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