Are You Judging Me?

That question often gets asked more like an indictment, and “You are judging me.” or “Who are you to judge?” are common accusations when a person feels censured or corrected about something.  In essence, someone taking a negative view of them, “judging them”,  is automatically judged (yes “judged”) to be an offensive foul, regardless of whether they were indeed right or wrong in their actions.

People like to use the Bible as a shield whenever they can.  After all, it says, “Judge not, ...” (Matthew 7:1-5)  Those two words, “Judge not” taken out of context seem like a great defense against anyone’s correction of us.  However, taken in context it is obvious the point of Jesus warning was to be sure we are not hypocritical or unwilling to have our own ways examined if we are going to call someone else to account. 

Jesus also said in John 7:24: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

In reality, we all have to make judgments (decisions) every day about whom to trust, whom to do business with, or with whom to fellowship.  We don’t need to pronounce our judgments most of the time, and it’s usually best we don’t, but we nevertheless need to make them as we determine what courses of action we will take. 

If we are to some degree responsible for someone else as in a parent, mentor, or supervisory role there are times when it is indeed our duty to inquire, investigate, prayerfully examine our own heart, actions and motives, and then lovingly, but with commitment to the truth and a desire for a positive outcome, correct someone about their actions, attitudes or words. 

They may or may not receive it well, but if it is indeed our responsibility to deliver such a message to them, then “Who are you to judge?” should not come to their mind.  If it does, we should know who we are to them and be prepared to answer.  If we don’t have a relationship which qualifies us to judge them, then indeed their question is a rightful challenge to us and we need to step back in bounds.