Jesus’ sermon began with what I have called America’s favorite verse, Luke 6:37a
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged”.
Often misused to put off others’ criticisms or concerns, this statement lifted from its context does great harm. If one can make no moral judgments, there can be no morality.
Jesus’ words do not forbid making moral judgments but rather condemn judgmentalism, a particularly grievous sin, especially if you are on the receiving end.
Judgmentalism is particularly maddening because it puts you on the defensive when you have done nothing wrong. Any explanation sounds like defensive guilt
In Shakespeare’s Hamlet we read the following quote: “the Lady protesteth too much methinks.” You simply cannot win in such a situation.
What are six insights into the attitude of judgmentalism?
First, judgmental people are often blind to their own sins but quick to see them in others.
Second, Judgmentalism is also intrinsically self-righteousand self-superior. The proud Pharisees seemed to imagine themselves atop Mount Sinai, above the rest of the hoi polloi, the unwashed masses judging them with their petty legalisms.
Third, judgmentalism is self-exculpating(to acquit or to exonerate or to clear one’s name, to prove innocent). One unconsciously imagines that condemning one’s sins in someone else will somehow lessen one’s own guilt. How about those accusing Second Lady Mrs Pence of being a hateful person?
Fourth, judgmentalism is intrinsically hypocritical. People often do the same things for which they judge others.
In Romans 2:21–24 Paul indicts his fellow Jews for such hypocrisy:
Romans 2:21-24
You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
Paul’s fellow countrymen did not practice what they preached. Even worse, they hypocritically judged others.
Note the opening verses of the chapter:
Romans 2:1-3
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
The point is not that we should never make moral judgments, but that we should not do so if we are doing the same things we are judging. Judgmentalism is a hypocrite’s favorite pastime. Judgmental people tend to be guilty of the sin they so readily judge.
Fifth, Judgmentalism is trivializing (underestimating, indifferent, belittling or be rude and unconcerned). It views inconsequential things, which may or may not be sinful, as of major importance.
In a letter sent to the American Tract Society in 1853, the writer rightly scolded ATS for condemning social dancing and horse racing but not slavery because, and there he quoted ATS,
“on no subject, probably, are evangelical Christians more at variance than slavery.”
This is an example of trivializing. To condemns smoking but not gossip, drinking but not greed, social dancing but not slavery. It is trivializing.
Sixth,judgmentalism is merciless. Whereas love “believes all things”(1 Corinthians 13:7, nasb), the judgmental person disbelieves all things. He presumes the worst. He reads evil into the most innocent of actions. He disputes or impugns motives. He refuses to give others the benefit of the doubt. Judgmentalism is the opposite of the magnanimous, big-souled person. A judgmental person is certainly not a true disciple of Christ and might not be a Christian at all.However, being able to judge in the wholesome sense and in the Biblical sense,is an essential part of discipleship.Jesus’ disciples must be able to exercise moral discernment and to make necessary Biblical judgments.
Big-souled, magnanimous disciples are to be skillful judges.