Morally, we understand that judging others is a sin, but is it still a sin when

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   backporchstoriesposted 12 years ago

   Morally, we understand that judging others is a sin, but is it still a sin when we judge silently?
   
   We have been taught that when we let judgment of others roll off our tongue, we have committed a great sin.  However, we all have opinions!  Some, we keep in our heads and to ourselves.  When we remain silent with those judgments, are we still sinning with just the mere thought?

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   Mr. Happyposted 12 years ago

   We always judge. As long as we think, we judge because that is what judging is: thinking, comparing, relating, combining thought-patterns and perceptions. Even when we Dream we judge. We stop judging when we stop living. A sin? Not in my world: judge away but judge with clarity, compassion, love and understanding. Let those be the Guardians of your Judgement!
   
   I will stop here but I did write on this a while back: http://mrhappy.hubpages.com/hub/On-Maki … ng-a-Judge

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You made some really good points and I find myself agreeing with you.

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      backporchstoriesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, we tend to judge as if it were a survival mechanism.

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      Mr. Happyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Mrs. Backporchstories, can You elaborate on your statement that "we tend to judge as if it were a survival mechanism" - I am interested in the combination of two words You have chosen: "as if".
      Thank You.

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      LIL-ANGEL-WINGSposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If you possess clarity, compassion, love and understanding then you would have no need to judge!

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      We are not talking about condemning someone to hell...that is God's territory. When the Bible speaks about "judging", in general, it is referring to using judicious discernment, without which, we would not know right from wrong or truth from fiction.

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   Lisa HWposted 12 years ago

   I'm not one to get involved with what's a sin and what isn't, so I'll leave the sin factor out of my reply.
   
   I do think, though, that there is "inherent wrong-ness" in a whole lot of the everyday kind of judging that a lot of people do.  Leaving out intentional acts that harm someone else, there are a lot of things people do, say, or are that get judged by someone else - and with an unfair and misguided kind of thinking.  Sometimes it comes when a person's ego is such that he tends to see himself as "just right", while he sees others who are/do more in one way or another as "too much", and then those who are/do less in one way or another as "too little".  In other words, people use themselves as the measure of what's "just right" in any kind of thinking, behavior, values, etc.  It think the egotism involved in that kind of judging is, itself, just plain wrong.  It's unhealthy for the person who does it, and it's unfair to anyone he judges.
   
   The simple awareness that other people are individuals who are, most likely, every bit as capable, responsible, caring and "good" as one is is something that will prevent judging others who don't do exactly as we we do, or do what we think they "should do" in one situation or another.
   
   So, if I were pushed to guess about whether silent judging is a "sin" or not, I'd guess it should be considered a "sin" - just because it's unhealthy for the judger and unfair (and sometimes worse) to the judged.
   
   Again, though, I think this applies only to the kind of judging that has nothing to do with having an opinion about someone who has intentionally harmed someone else, and who has put his own greed or urges before the well-being of his victim.  I don't think there's anything "sinful" (wrong) about someone's judging, say, a child molester and thinking about how he would never let that person near his own children.  Or, about the person who judges someone who robs someone else and thinks he wants nothing to do with such a person.  To me, when someone intentionally harms others he loses the "right" not to be judged about his hurtful actions.  In situations like that, there's right, there's wrong, there's legal/illegal, there's out-and-out hurtful to someone else.  Having an "opinion" in that kind of situation almost takes the "judging" out of the person's hands because there's little question about whether the person did something wrong or not.
   
   I do think silent (wrong kind of) judging is just as wrong, though.

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   PlanksandNailsposted 12 years ago

   By saying that judging others is a sin is making a judgement that judging others is a sin.
   
   When you say that you have been taught, by what standard are you using to make the judgement that it is a great sin?
   
   
   Judging can be morally wrong, but can be morally right within proper context.
   
   
   According to the Christian paradigm there are distinctions that must be made first before judging someone.
   
   Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. - John 7:24
   
   According to the standard of Scripture, God has given us the right to practice Biblical judgement. Exposing false teachers, error, and naming names of those who corrupt God Word and His standards is not a sin.
   
   The Bible is full of examples of false prophets being named and exposed. When people say that you are judging them and using the famous, "judge not lest ye be judged" when exposing sin is simply sloppy theology.
   
   Those who cannot, or unwilling to discerning between what is good or evil is a sign of disobedience or lack of knowledge on Biblical principles.
   
   It depends on what standards you are applying the question to will help discover whether it may be a sin or not.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Brilliantly played, Planks!!! I couldn't have said it better myself :0)

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      backporchstoriesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very good point!

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   Tusitala Tomposted 12 years ago

   What is the difference between judging and evaluating?   Certainly the latter word sounds more acceptable.   The fact is we judge and evaluate all the time.  We do this from the information we have, or think we have, about what or whom we are observing.  This information is based on what we have learned from accurate data or from that which is erroneous.  Whatever it is, we are coming from our own preferences and bias'
   
   Sometimes we're obliged to keep our opions to ourselves.  But in the military I served in even that wasn't always safe.  The Royal Australian Navy had a charge known as 'dumb insolence' so even a look of distain or disgust could warrant officially santioned punishment.
   
   A point to remember though is that what we give out we get back.  If we're benign and generous in our judgements we are likely to be judged kindly in return, so, when in doubt, give 'them' the benefit of the doubt.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Bravo, Tom!!!  You hit the nail right on the head.

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      Mr. Happyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The first Being whom I meet that has a perspective similar to that of my own on this subject. Happy to meet You. : )

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      SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Actually, tho' Mr. Happy critiqued my language, I agree with this view. I just express it differently, following the way Jesus used the word when he said, "judge not, lest ye be judged." I call benign views "assessments" and harmful ones "judgments."

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   lone77starposted 12 years ago

   For me, the core of "sin" is ego.
   
   Ego is the blindfold we've placed on our spiritual eyes. Forty-one years after seeing with spiritual eyes, I realized this as the reason why I lost that brief, but blessed Light.
   
   Ego is the separateness we've wedged between who we really are and our Source. This is the willfulness that hungers to be right and frequently to make others wrong. This is the sense of entitlement. This is the part of us that says, "Notice me!"
   
   You have to look at the "judgment" you harbor inside and ask yourself if this is merely some loving evaluation to help the person, or if it is a wedge of separateness -- "me versus them."
   
   If the "evaluation" is touched with even a spot of ego, then that is sin.
   
   Our thoughts should be filled with oneness. We should be loving of all our siblings in the universe. As the old saying goes, take the beam out of your own eye, before taking the mote out of someone else's.
   
   Yehoshua of Nazareth said, Judge not lest ye be judged. And he also said that thoughts of lust are the same as physical adultery. The reason is simple: Both are creations of separateness -- distance from God. What you hold in your heart is a statement of your allegiance. You cannot serve two masters. Ego may be seductive, but it only leads to ruin.

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   CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years ago

   Really? The Bible teaches that "judging is a great sin"? Would you mind supplying me with that reference? Thanking you in advance. - C.J.

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      SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Matthew 7:1: Judge not, that you be not judged. ; Right here, we are directed not to judge. In all of Matthew 5, we are directed to live in ways that exclude what I call judgment, esp. 5:21 & 5:43. Judgment is angry, assessment & forgiveness,

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I like you, Sid, but I think you are misunderstanding the Biblical context. If we cannot come to wise judgments concerning all things, how are we able to help those in need? If you don't understand what the problem is, how can you even pray for them?

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      SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      There are two ways to view this. One is simply terminology: What you call "wise judgments," I call "assessments." That way,I do not judge (as Jesus directed). Or, I seek to turn every decision over to God. I see the situation & ask Jesus what to

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Did John the Baptist sin by calling Herod's wife a whore? Did Yeshua sin when He threw out the money changers? Righteous judgment is our mandate, without which we can't tell a tree by the fruit it bears or test the spirits to see if they are from God

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      SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Naming fact is not sin. Calling someone a whore is not judgment. But even a trace of anger is the same as murder, as stoning that whore. & Jeshua could throw out the money-changes from where they didn't belong because he belonged there, being w/o

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      Mr. Happyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "Righteous judgment is our mandate" - Warriors of the Light are around. :  )
      Cheers!

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   jlparkposted 12 years ago

   'Judging a person does not define who they are, it defines who YOU are."
   
   Something to think about - it's not that you have a problem with the person or the action, but more that you have a problem with either your response, or the person who you are in judging that person.
   
   Respect differences, and making judgement calls on safety etc is all we need.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "Tolerance" is the battle cry of the morally bankrupt. You know damn well you don't respect the opinions of those who differ from yours. You know damn well you hate those who will not endorse your homosexual agenda. You just aren't honest about it.

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      jlparkposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Err. Please don't slander my reputation. I have no problem with people who have a problem with my sexuality.Their problem, not mine. I respect those who have the backing of sources with their opinion.  You have not yet provided this to ANYONE.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      What reputation? What slander? No problem with those who disagree with you? Who are you trying to kid? The sources I can give are legit, but they are not politically correct or endorsed by your homosexual lobby. You are not open to honest discourse.

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      jlparkposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Morally Bankrupt? Stating I have hatred of anyone? That I'm not honest? I have morals, I hate no one including you. I'm always honest.  I'm happy to see your sources, PC or not, if you give mine the same.  I'm open to honest discourse, no name callin

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      backporchstoriesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It seems to me, we are all sinners!  We all continue to sin!  I do love my brothers and sisters, even if they do not love me, however, I cannot seem to control judgmental thoughts that will pop in my head, when I see things I do not agree with.  Hmmm

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   SidKempposted 12 years ago

   I believe that the answer to this question can be found in the Sermon on the Mount. Stopping literal, active sin (such as murder and lying) is the first phase. We do this in four steps: Choose spiritual poverty; Mourn the state of the world and be comforted by the Holy Spirit; Be meek; and seek righteousness. At this point, our tongues are healed. Now we are ready to heal our hearts: To be merciful is a change of heart that leads to a cessation of judgmental thought. We surrender all judgment and all evaluation of others to God, we dwell in, and ask for, pure Mercy. Through this, we purify ourselves, and, when we are pure, we can see God. When we see God, we are ready to be true Peacemakers. At this point, our hearts and minds are growing free of judgment and fear. Our faith is growing. When it becomes larger than a mustard seed, we can move trees and mountains. The sick will be healed by their own faith through us. We can do all the miracles Jesus did, and more, as he promised.
   
   Living in this constantly loving miracle-mindedness, we become perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect. He would not have told us to do this if we could not do it.
   
   Every step of the path is essential. Those who perform harmful acts start by repenting them, and stopping. Those who use hurtful words take a step by curbing their tongues. Then the inner work begins - and it never ends.
   
   Thus I believe and live. They I joyfully see all others believing and living, and, as we grow more aware, doing it with ever-deepening intention and faith.

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      Mr. Happyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Here is the definition of judgement: "1. the act of judging. 2 a judicial decision, a sentence of a court of justice. 3 discernment, discrimination. 4 the capacity for arriving at reasonable conclusion leading to well adapted behavior"This is bad?lol

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      SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your thoughts, Mr. Happy. Please read my hub, "It's not good, it's not bad, but it's not me," and I'll be happy to discuss this position. Philosophers often define terms outside their dictionary definitions.

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      Mr. Happyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Can You please link your hub? I looked on your profile and did not see it. Thank You.

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      SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Happy to help, Mr. Happy. Here's the link: http://hub.me/acItR . Please also see my comment below under Tusitala Tom and my answer to C. J. Sledgehammer's question. What definition of judge did Jesus use, Mt 7:1, "judge not, that you be not judged"?

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      Mr. Happyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The hub about it's not good, it's not bad ... having issues tracking it.

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      SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Mr. Happy: The hub is asleep. I tried to post a link here, but it went into moderation. You'll have to cut & paste: http://sidkemp.hubpages.com/hub/Its-not … ts-not-me. Pls also see all my other comments on this page. Emailing

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      Mr. Happyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      This is a pretty annoying technicality with hubs being asleep - do hubs really need sleep? lol The link said the hub does not exist - I think it takes a day or two for it to wake up ... Hub-pages ... why ...

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      SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Actually, this link will work. In the last comment, the period at the end messed things up: http://sidkemp.hubpages.com/hub/Its-not … its-not-me Pls also read all comments on this page, esp. those to CJ Sledgehammer, & chk yr e

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sid, you wrote "We surrender all judgment and all evaluation of others to God...." I mean no offense, but this philosophy sounds like Eastern mysticism. The Almighty and His Son, never told us to surrender our judgment...that's spiritual suicide.

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       SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hi CJ: We're using the term "judgment" quite differently. Please see the bible references you requested (below) and email me directly if you want to discuss.

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       Mr. Happyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Good point Mr. C.J. Sledgehammer. (About the spiritual suicide.)

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    LIL-ANGEL-WINGSposted 12 years ago

    Judging is judging!
    God is the only Judge.
    Even Paul wrote in
    1 Corinthians 4:1- 4 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.[a] In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
    
    But I have found that If I have to ask the Question if something I am doing,  did or am going to do (thinking) is a Sin, then I can say "yes it is.
    
    Murder Begins in the Heart
    Matt. 5: 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
    
    Does not judgement come from anger in essence? This anger I speak of is one that is deep in the heart, because we think we are better then that other person in some way?
    
    What we hide in our heart is what will come out on the tounge. If we think of judgment of a person then we are hiding that deep in our heart. It will eventually show one way or another. Sin will surely find you out.
    
    And I know of nothing that is hidden from the great "Ani Yhwh".
    
    This hit home for me as I had made a Hugmungous Judgment on someone today and became so angry that It shadowed and shattered everything that I had accomplished.
    
    Just the thought that came to mind at that very moment today boiled in my heart till I exploded, and it wasn't at the person whom I had judged, because I had not said a word to them.
    
    Thanks for posting this. I needed it

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Corinthians 6:2-3 "Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And, if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels - not to speak of things pertaining to this life?"

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    Emile Rposted 12 years ago

    I think the point is that sin exists because you choose to see it. So, whether it is seen in the mind's eye or not; once you have labeled sin you are a party to it.
    
    I know Christians find this line of thought abhorrent, but it was what Jesus was driving at with his whole ministry. Once you label anything a sin you create a chain reaction that slowly sucks every action into the category of sin in your own mind, which makes you a sinner.
    
    So, yes. In my opinion if you asked this question you would probably be guilty of sin by mental thoughts of judgment. Having an opinion of what is right for you is not the same as deeming something wrong for another.

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       SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I really like your thinking! Thanks!

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    tamarawilhiteposted 12 years ago

    There is a difference between judging actions as moral and immoral and judging people as saved and condemned.
    Christians are morally obligated to call out and denounce evil acts like murder and rape. We can and should condemn those who commit these acts. The soul, however, is God's call.

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