OK, how do you differentiate between spiritual discernment and judging?
Heres more food for thought ...
[color=660000][url=http://www.thewayback.net/articles/JUDGING/1developing.htm]Judging[/url]
By Diane Eaton Oct, 2002
One day a friend drew me into a conversation about judging. We were both somewhat confused about the meaning and implications of judging. Is judging always a bad thing to do? Can it ever be good? My friend got me thinking; and so I launched myself into some Biblical investigation.
The Bible seems to contradict itself about judging. It says,
"Judge carefully",
"Do not judge",
"Judge between your servants",
"Stop passing judgment on one another",
"Judge for yourself",
"make a right judgment"…
When I examined the Scriptural use of words related to judging, I was surprised with my discoveries. Contrary to my assumptions, judging can be a very beneficial thing to do. Judging spares people from making bad choices. It even spares them from eternal condemnation.
People often use the term in a negative sense. However, in reality, more Scriptures speak of the value of judging, then of its harm.
In this document, I aim to differentiate between good judging and bad judging based on Biblical investigations. I also include a few comments and practical applications. First, here are a few dictionary definitions:
Definitions
To judge -to form an authoritative opinion
-to form an estimate or evaluation about something
- sometimes denotes to condemn
Judgment: - a decision or opinion given after judging
-sentence pronounced
-the process of forming an opinion by discerning and comparing
-misfortune regarded as a sign of divine displeasure
-the final judging of mankind by God
Also refers to:
- the mental ability to perceive and distinguish relationships
- discernment
-the capacity to assess situations or circumstances and draw sound conclusions
- good sense
definitions from Strong's Concordance of the Bible:
primarily denotes to separate, sift, select, discern,
to make manifest, reprove,
reason, perception, sense, intelligence,
justice, vengeance
From these definitions, we can see that our English language uses one word to define a broad spectrum of ideas and functions. No wonder there is so much hazy confusion surrounding the use of the words related to 'judging'. Judging can be either good or bad. Good judging is beneficial - even necessary. However having the ability to make good judgments doesn't come naturally. We must develop it.
Developing Good Judgment
"Teach me knowledge and GOOD judgment." Ps. 119:66
"The spiritual man makes judgments about all things."1Co.2:15
We are required to make judgments all the time. Therefore we must learn how to distinguish:
- right from wrong,
- good from bad,
- truth from deception,
- genuine from counterfeit, and
- the mediocre from the excellent.
Good judgments comes from - Spirit discernment,
- Godly wisdom,
- a humble spirit,
- and a love for God.
Our judgments shape our decisions,
and determine the path of our lives.
Therefore it is important to develop good judgment.
Here is how we develop good judgment:
1. Seek wisdom
We need wisdom in order to be good judges. However, we can't assume that we are wise just because we know a lot (we think), or because we are good Christians (we think). Whether we want to admit it or not, "[our] thoughts are not [God's] thoughts." Is. 55:19 We need to have a perspective from outside of our own biases in order to discern properly,
"…so that you may be able to discern what is best." Phil. 1:9
"then you will be able to understand
what is right and just and fair." Prov. 2:9
God can help us if we ask.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God
who gives generously to all without finding fault." James 1:5
We know that our wisdom has come from above whenever our judgments are full of love and mercy. Here is God's criteria for good judgment:
"The wisdom that comes from heaven is
first of all pure,
then peace-loving,
considerate,
submissive
and full of MERCY
and good fruit,
IMPARTIAL,
and sincere." James 3:17
2. Judge ourselves
Before we can make accurate judgments that involve others, we must learn to be good judges of ourselves. God knows us better than anyone, so we can trust him to show us. He gives us a humble view of ourselves. God's Spirit can "convict the world (me) in regard to sin...." John 16:8
The Bible is an accurate standard by which we can judge ourselves. It judges (distinguishes) between God's holiness and our unholiness:
"For the word of God is living and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Heb. 4:12
Wow! That is accurate judging! Penetrating! Cutting to the core! Scripture leaves no room for hypocrisy. The Spirit and the Word help us see that we fall short of God's holy standard. That keeps us humble.
When we are accurate judges of ourselves, we will be accurate judges of others too. To the extent that we recognize our own need for God's mercy, we will judge others with mercy.
Jesus could tell that the Jewish leaders were blind to their own faults. So he let them judge themselves by using the very Scriptures that they zealously defended. He said, "Your accuser is Moses [ie the Books of the Law]." John 5:45
Just because we may zealously proclaim our belief in the Bible, that doesn't mean that we can see how that very same Bible also judges us for our pride and our lack of faith.
Scripture warns us, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought but rather with sober judgment. " Rom 12:3 "First take the plank out of your own eye; and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matt. 7:5 In other words, if we don't judge ourselves accurately, then we will not judge others accurately, nor will we be able to "correctly handle the word of truth" 2 Tim. 2:15.
A sharp knife is a useful tool, but it becomes a dangerous weapon in the hands of a blind person. So also the Bible becomes a dangerous weapon in the hands of a person who can't see what it says about their own faults. So it ends up being used like a hammer on someone's head, rather then as an accurate sharp knife.
There is another reason why we all must learn to judge ourselves - to avert divine judgment later on. We will each be held accountable for the way we live our lives.
"Those who teach will be judged more strictly." James 3:1 Bible teachers spend a lot of time studying in order to create messages for other people, but they must also see how the Scriptures apply to themselves.
"…if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind...
an instructor…a teacher…
because you have in the law the embodiment
of knowledge and truth…
you then who teach others, DO YOU TEACH YOURSELF?...
You who brag about the Law, do you dishonor it by breaking it?"
Rom. 2:19,20,23
Those who teach the Bible have the potential to damage people through the improper use of Scripture if they cannot let it judge themselves.
3. Allow others to judge us
"A wise man LISTENS TO ADVICE." Prov. 12:15
"A rebuke impresses a man of discernment..." Prov. 1:10
"Rebuke a wise man and he will be wiser." Prov 9:8
Sometimes others constructively judge us simply by being good examples. Their lives are a standard by which we can judge ourselves. Have you ever been drawn to a good quality in another person and thought, I sure don't measure up to that? That person, by his or her life, has constructively judged you. You become aware of your shortcomings. Didn't you find that humbling?
When believers properly proclaim God's truths, others have a standard by which to judge themselves. That is one important function of Christian fellowship: "If an unbeliever, or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner, and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare." 1 Cor. 14: 24 Authentic words of prophesy draw others towards Christ because the words help the listeners judge their own hearts. This is far better than finger-pointing.
5. Seeing through God's eyes
Prior to his conversion, Paul zealously tried to be a good judge for God by sifting out everyone who opposed God. But he had bad spiritual sight and misjudged many people. He had godly people imprisoned and put to death. After his encounter with God, he continued to judge, but with a new perspective. He saw through the eyes of God's mercy and learned how to "make a RIGHT judgment." John 7:24 At one time vengeance was his primary goal; but after his salvation, mercy became his primary goal.
Good judgment flowed from the heart of Christ. He said: "My judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me." Jn 5:30 Jesus is our best example. We too will learn to be good judges if we seek to please God and walk closely with him.
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