Jesus commanded is not to judge, lest we be judged ourselves. He went on to say that by the very same measure by which we judge others, we would be judged. And yet, later He tells the disciples to not judge according to the flesh, but to have Godly judgment. And in another place we are told that the spiritual man is not judged by anyone, yet he judges all things. This is obviously not a simple issue.
It is obvious that we judge things, all the time. Even more so, we judge those around us, also all the time. I don't believe that this is something we can help doing. It just comes naturally to us, is a very strong impulsive drive which we really have very little control over. But will anyone deny that all of our judgments are unjust? Will anyone believe that their judgments are in line with how God judges?
There are three basic types of judgment we are capable of making. We can judge by our flesh, by what we like or dislike, by what is pleasing and displeasing to our senses. Let us just say that this judgment is never in agreement with God's judgment. The flesh is utterly corrupt, and in it dwells no good thing. The judgment of the flesh is never pleasing to God, whether good or bad.
The next most common form of judgment is based on religion. Religious judgment is based upon our understanding of what is right and what is wrong. In part, itis based in the knowledge that came from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It also has some basis in our religious training, and in our training in life and society. What is and is not acceptable behavior and belief. It is also based in part on our understanding of the bible, and of the Law. Some believe that religious judgment is just, is even Godly. Jesus did not agree. Religious judgment always persecuted Him, even as it does today.
Finally, there is Godly judgment. What makes this judgment just is that it comesdirectly from God, by His Spirit. In fact, it is not our judgment at all. Jesus set the standard for how to have this Godly judgment. He said that the words He spoke were the words He heard His Father speaking. He knew that the judgments He proclaimed were God's judgments. Can we judge in the same way as did Jesus? Can we not judge by the ways which are false?
The answer to both questions is yes, absolutely, without a doubt. Jesus was clear in saying that His sheep hear His voice. If we believe, and learn of His voice, we can know what His judgment is in every situation, all the time. But we must practice hearing Him, for so many other voices clamor for our attention. We musttrain our senses to discern good and evil. God, and what He says by His Spirit is good, and just about everything else is evil.
It is obvious that we judge things, all the time. Even more so, we judge those around us, also all the time. I don't believe that this is something we can help doing. It just comes naturally to us, is a very strong impulsive drive which we really have very little control over. But will anyone deny that all of our judgments are unjust? Will anyone believe that their judgments are in line with how God judges?
There are three basic types of judgment we are capable of making. We can judge by our flesh, by what we like or dislike, by what is pleasing and displeasing to our senses. Let us just say that this judgment is never in agreement with God's judgment. The flesh is utterly corrupt, and in it dwells no good thing. The judgment of the flesh is never pleasing to God, whether good or bad.
The next most common form of judgment is based on religion. Religious judgment is based upon our understanding of what is right and what is wrong. In part, itis based in the knowledge that came from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It also has some basis in our religious training, and in our training in life and society. What is and is not acceptable behavior and belief. It is also based in part on our understanding of the bible, and of the Law. Some believe that religious judgment is just, is even Godly. Jesus did not agree. Religious judgment always persecuted Him, even as it does today.
Finally, there is Godly judgment. What makes this judgment just is that it comesdirectly from God, by His Spirit. In fact, it is not our judgment at all. Jesus set the standard for how to have this Godly judgment. He said that the words He spoke were the words He heard His Father speaking. He knew that the judgments He proclaimed were God's judgments. Can we judge in the same way as did Jesus? Can we not judge by the ways which are false?
The answer to both questions is yes, absolutely, without a doubt. Jesus was clear in saying that His sheep hear His voice. If we believe, and learn of His voice, we can know what His judgment is in every situation, all the time. But we must practice hearing Him, for so many other voices clamor for our attention. We musttrain our senses to discern good and evil. God, and what He says by His Spirit is good, and just about everything else is evil.
