Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

Good evening all ... :D:grouphug:

Since it seems this idea of 'judging' and whether we should or not seems to perhaps be a matter of concern to some ... I got to thinking that 'maybe' it might be a good topic to consider in the light of Scriptures ...:read:

I have been thinking about this throughout the day and evening and thought I'd start off with just a Scripture to hopefully get some feedback on ...:giverose:

John 7:24 ...

24 Stop judging from the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

So, in light of this Scripture ...

Should we be judging ...?
Who should be judging if we should be ...?
and
What it judging with a 'righteous judgment' to mean ...?

Any thoughts or opinions ...?

My deepest Love as always and forever ...BR :sheepy: :bouncyhearts:

I feel we can judge the actions of others, Jesus judges the person.

Ah yes, well there are different kinds of judgment, aren't there?

We can judge whether some stated fact is true or false.
We can judge whether some action is right or wrong.
We can judge what kind of a person someone is.
We can judge whether a person should be condemned or not.

And I am sure there are more of them.

Hello thar dearest sis BR,

Allthou I don't know you, I do feel I have come to know you to a small degree, and I love to hash things such as this out in the open.

AS For Judgements, or judging,

Oh I have so very much to say, as a person who has been on the spot many times as the person to be judged and in few but much harder postion of the judge. and that would be for very serious matters only. But on the evry day life I judge people all the time.
I judge people's intent, I judge people's actions, I used these judgements to see my situation as clearly as possible.

Who says we are not to judge people at all? The bible clearly shows that we need to judge in this time we are living in. we have some innocent people that need defense and we have some not so innocent people that need to be put in lock up. What a problem is it not???
For the bible "new testement" clearly says not to judge..

Oh what to do?? how can we live in a world that if we walk around with our heads in the clouds and judge no one's intent or actions will land us in an early grave. or finacial ruin or a number of other things.

Yet it is a tricky thing to stop short of Judgeing a person. I think we need to define what judgeing a person is???

To me judgeing a person is like this "they are a xyz and they will never change" "or they area lost cause" or "they are just evil and need to be avoided"

any thoughts?

I agree that we make many different kinds of judgements every day and that is not a bad thing--it actually is no doubt a good thing But I have discovered for myself that when judging another person sets in then love for that person is being blocked and that is the Bad thing--so any thoughts taking one away from feeling they can respond to another in a loving, kind, considerate,thoughtful and above all Christian way may be thoughts that have become judgemental. Our thoughts can set us up as friend or foe--and even if one can't agree on a certain something they can agree to let it go--and move on--with love. A part of love is always wishing the very best for another--no matter who or what they are--and pointing the way to Jesus Christ--always--I know I can always do better and my father used to say that ''when people know better they do better.'' I too believe that most people do the best that they can and they make changes along the way. I sure have come a long way in the years I have spent on our discussion boards (I think I have anyway :love: ) and so much patience and kindness was shown to me wayy back then. An awful lot of life involves making a judgement--it is when we judge the heart and motives of another that I think we run into trouble for we are then errecting a wall that says ''love stops here.'' and then other feelings creep in--disdain and dislike being only a couple....and that is not so good :hug: and that is my little peanut from the top of the world this morning--:cheekkiss:

Good morning one and all ...:hibye::D I am enjoying my first cuppa coffee with ya'll this lovely, yet cloudy, morning as I look up some Scriptures on judging ... :drinking::read:

Great comments so far and ones in which I heartily agree ...:heartbeat::thumbsup:

When we look at some various Scriptures they may 'seem' to be contradictory ... but I do not think that is the case ...

For example Matt. 7:1 where Jesus says ...

7 “Stop judging that YOU may not be judged;

Then we have Paul's words that say for example at 1Cor. 10:15 ...

15 I speak as to men with discernment; judge for yourselves what I say.

Maybe asking WHAT does it MEAN to be 'judging' may be a good thing to do ...

One dictionary defines judging as ...

1. To hear and decide in an official capacity the merits of a (a case) or the guilt of (a person); try. 2. To decide authoritatively, as a contest
or controversy. 3. To hold as judgment or opinion; consider; suppose. 4. To form an opinion or judgment concerning. 7. To form a judgment or estimate. 8. To make a judgment or decision

So, when it comes to us making decision or 'judgments' on how WE will conduct ourselves based on what we know our God finds acceptable and not acceptable then in this of course we would 'discern' or 'consider' or 'decide' what is best for us to do ...

In taking a job for instance ... we would have to 'judge' the pro's and con's before making an informed decision ...

This is of course all speaking of SELF ...

But what about judging 'others' ...

Paul encouraged other to 'judge' what they heard him say ... so WORDS and/or ACTIONS of another can be 'judged' as to whether they may be 'good' or 'bad' ... 'scriptural' or 'unscriptural' ... or in a 'gray' area perhaps where there is no 'easy' answer and so must be left us to our God and his Son to 'judge' or 'decide' ...

Yes, I too think we should NEVER judge the PERSON as angellynn said above ... for we cannot know what is in the HEART of a person ... and why they do or don't do something ...

However, we CAN judge the CONDUCT ... and not go along with it and not do it ourselves ... and indeed if someone if FLAGRANTLY disregarding Bible principles ... and perhaps trying to get us to do so ... then we need to 'judge the situation' and not ASSOCIATE with a such a one perhaps ... while STILL not 'judging' them as fit for life or death ...

When I read my first Scripture about how we should be 'judging in righteousness' ... one of things we need to do to be a 'righteous judge' is to be IMPARTIAL in our judgment ...

I think that may not always be an EASY thing for us imperfect people ... especially those in privileges of oversight in congregations ... for our very backgrounds and personal likes and dislikes may get in the way and 'color' how we may 'judge' a situation or conduct ...

Soooo, what is the answer ...:dontknow:

Well, I can only say at this point that we rely on those who are PERFECT JUDGES and go by what they say in our handy dandy guide book ...:read: I think ya'll know which 'guide book' I'm referring to ...;):whistle::siskiss:

So, I don't think it is 'wrong' to 'judge' ... but it is HOW we judge and WHAT we judge ... not WHO we judge ... or something like that ...:P ;)

Luv to all ... and thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings on this IMHO 'delicate' subject ...:happyheart:

BR :sheepy: :bouncyhearts:

Is it not interesting that one of the most prominent Watchtower leaders has the name "Judge Rutherford"?

Warm Christian Love
Bangalore

Keep in mind that NOW is not the time for the world of mankind to be judged.

“because he has fixed a day ("Judgement day") on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed;" - Acts 17:35 NASB

judg·ment also judge·ment (jjmnt)
n.
1. The act or process of judging; the formation of an opinion after consideration or deliberation.
2.
a. The mental ability to perceive and distinguish relationships; discernment: Fatigue may affect a pilot's judgment of distances.
b. The capacity to form an opinion by distinguishing and evaluating: His judgment of fine music is impeccable.
c. The capacity to assess situations or circumstances and draw sound conclusions; good sense: She showed good judgment in saving her money. See Synonyms at reason.
3. An opinion or estimate formed after consideration or deliberation, especially a formal or authoritative decision: awaited the judgment of the umpire.
4. Law
a. A determination of a court of law; a judicial decision.
b. A court act creating or affirming an obligation, such as a debt.
c. A writ in witness of such an act.
5. An assertion of something believed.
6. A misfortune believed to be sent by God as punishment for sin.
7. Judgment The Last Judgment.

I found this and thought that most if not all are on point.

So we should not express thoughts about anything questionable? It seems that every time someone expresses opposing moral standard they will be told that they are "judging".

Isn't that what is going on in the organized religions to supress all negative comments? If they dont, they will be cast out?

Matthew 7
A Simple Guide for Behavior
1-5 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

I like this version of Matt 7 it conveys the idea to watch how we view people that we dont let self righteousness to take over our perception

Matthew 7 (New Life Version)
Jesus Teaches On The Mountain About Saying What Is Wrong In Others
1 "Do not say what is wrong in other people's lives. Then other people will not say what is wrong in your life. 2 You will be guilty of the same things you find in others. When you say what is wrong in others, your words will be used to say what is wrong in you.

I have so often caught myself critizing someone or a situation and then realized i have been guilty of the same thing - humility helps

we really need to focus on ourselves to see where we measure up to Jehovah's standards - the log in our own eye

i also think discernment is an important quality - because we can see a bad situation but to discern all the factors involved can change our approach to it ie- if someone commits a murder - a judge will examine all the factors, was it in self defense?, was it pre-meditated?, is there mental illness? etc. - so at face value we may not see the factors involved and misjudge the situation

understanding, forgiveness, empathy, mercy are other qualities we can access to stay balanced in our judgeing

Amen Billy, :thumbsup:

Who is going to judge if one is balanced or not? Don't you think many christains are doing their best doing that? Jesus is the Judge and noone else. Meanwhile we should not try to suppress people who are expressing their convictions. Suppressing their opposers is the organizational tactics and this forum is following it too.

Hitomi, pardon my saying so (I am just offering a bit of Christian counsel here), but you can't have it both ways. You cannot ask that you be allowed to say whatever you like, and then say that others cannot be allowed to say whatever they like. Either everyone can offer their suggestions, or no one can. Those are the only two options. And yet you seem to want freedom of speech, but don't want others to have it. How is that fair?