Matthew 7 & Judging Others

Matthew 7 may seem a bit random compared to the linear, straight forward nature of previous chapters.  The chapter begins with external evaluations of others, then goes on to advice about trusting/not trusting religious claims,  self-examination, behavior revealing character, acknowledging Christ with our lives and our lips and obeying Christ’s teaching.

After Googling ‘How do we judge people?’ I had 64 million hits! Most of the hits on the first two pages were about judging people based on appearances.  Several of the hits were linked to information about how to judge other based on appearances – like it was a good thing!

One particular judgment I made 25 years ago was against bad mothers who schlepped to the grocery store with a baby in tow – a baby that only had  on a diaper. What a terrible thing to do! What a disgrace.  Well, when my oldest was about 5 months old and we had just survived a horrendous night of no sleep.  I was headed to the store and I looked like homemade soup.  I was so tired.  I planned to just get a few essentials and then come home and try to take a nap.  Pushing my grocery cart I looked down into the sweet face of my baby who was now happy and ready to enjoy the world.  And yes, this baby had on a smile and a diaper – that was it! I failed my own test as a decent mom.

What do we often judge others on? 

            Appearance – sloppiness, bad smell, beauty

            How parents treat their children

            Whether or not someone is thinking rationally

            Racist or sexist talk

            Facebook posts

            Work ethic

            Organization skills

            Habits – drinking, smoking, overeating, exercising

Why do we judge?  There are many answers to this question and the psychology behind the reasons are as varied as the reasons.  People who don’t pass our judgment might very well be doing what seems right to them – maybe they think we’re crazy! 

So how do we stop judging?  If you can make a habit of judging people, then I am going to suggest that you can make a habit of NOT judging people.  It would take a decision to take yourself off of the bench and to quit judging and then to reel yourself in each time you fall of the judgment bandwagon.  As you give in to judgmental thoughts about people in your family, businesses you know of, events etc., consciously change your train of thought to something else.  This definitely takes discipline of your self.

The beauty of Christ’s instructions to stop judging others is that it frees up your mind and your thoughts to think about beautiful and happy things.  You can look around for the good and the beautiful and have the space in your thoughts to think on those things instead of deliberating over the degradation of people or places that has consumed you.

Letting go of judgment and being ‘right’ allows you to be happy instead.