In everyday life, we often seem to be asked to make judgments of people, of places, and of things. We have learned to accept this as reasonable, maybe even necessary, and sometimes we probably fail to give the process due consideration. We just judge and move on. And how sure are we that in judging we are being fair or righteous? After all, our judgments are based on what - our own education, our prejudices, sometimes our lack of understanding? So, what if we discovered that we were indoctrinated into bigotry as we grew up? How often do we seek spiritual perspectives and inspiration before we make our judgments?
Perhaps if we wish to live more righteous lives, we should seek to determine what the wisdom of the ages tell us about judgment. Search whatever spiritual teachings you feel best touch your soul, but for me, there is ample wisdom in the Bible to help me direct my thoughts. In the New Testament, Jesus said, "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man." (John 8:15) He is also quoted as saying,
"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and
ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be
forgiven:
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,
pressed down, and shaken together, and running over,
shall men give into your bosom. For with the same
measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you
again.
And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the
blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?"
(Luke 6:37-39)
Jesus' comment refering to when "...the blind lead the blind", sums up for me unrighteous judgment. How can we possibly judge others unless we know our own wisdom, inspiration, and vision are perfectly aligned with the divine, spiritual source of life? Do we know this because a denomination or a local preacher has drilled it into our heads that we must believe in a particular human version of Truth? When was the last time that church or that preacher raised someone from the dead, walked on water, or ascended into heaven?
Maybe, before we mindlessly condemn our brothers and sisters in Christ, we should stop and seek an inner inspiration before we pass judgment. Beware leaping to false judgments of others if you heed Jesus' words, "...with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." Do you really want to assume the wisdom of the Almighty based soley on human teachings and understanding? Are you willing to suffer the same condemnation that you mete out if you are wrong?
Surely there's a better way to approach the whole matter of judgment. Again, I like to start with Jesus' simple words: "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man." And so, if Jesus judged no man, who are we do presume to know enough more than he did? I think that the reason Jesus could declare that he didn't judge men was that he was aware of a Truth that completely separated him from most preaching, theology, and human reasoning. This Truth was that mortal, material, sinful men were not real - were not ever part of his Heavenly Father-Mother's creating. Mortals are by definition not spiritual beings. Their existence is at best a temporal human illusion. So all that they say or do is unreal, vacuous. Yes, humanly it appears that they commit evil deeds worthy of condemnation and judgment, but if what we are seeing of these deeds is part and parcel our own illusory view or a false sense of reality, then it is simply an exercise in futility to condemn that which is unreal. When Jesus declared that we “… judge after the flesh;” was he not pointing to this discrepancy in our vision?
Until we ascend into heavenly wisdom and peace, we are going to continue our daily material existence including the human demand to see evil and judge people, places, and things based on whatever human code we have adopted as our own. Would we not be more faithful to Jesus’ teachings if we resisted this temptation? If we could strive each moment to see our brothers and sisters as God’s children - pure, unfallen, and eternally good, would we not be more in line with the gospels? Just as Jesus told those wanting to stone the woman they believed to be a sinner, should we not also practice his wisdom that said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” In other words, should we not realize that our entire vision of reality is flawed and that just as she may have appeared to be in violation of human codes of behavior, are we not all violating another of Jesus’ admonitions to: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”? (Matt 5:48)
So, when you know you have truly reached perfection, then judge all you want to, cast the first stone, and condemn away. But be cautious, since if Christ Jesus didn’t feel that he could take such actions, perhaps you are mistaken as to your state of heavenly wisdom. The better path, it seems to me, is to try instead to see the goodness and love in all our brothers and sisters, tolerate their human imperfections as best we can, and try always to live more Christly lives ourselves.
Blessings and peace to you all.
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