Of course, judgmentalism is not limited to conservative evangelicals. It permeates our society and occurs on either side of the cultural divide. ....
We have convictions that we elevate to biblical truth on a number of issues. ...it doesn't matter which side of an issue we are on. It is easy to become judgmental toward anyone whose opinions are different from ours. And then we hide our judgmentalism under a cloak of Christian convictions.
...Could it be that the log in our own eye is the log of judmentalism, arrogating to ourselves the role of God?
What Ive written to this point does not mean that we should never pass judgment on the practices and beliefs of others. When someone's lifestyle or conduct is clearly out of line with the Scriptures, then we are right to say that the person is sinning. There are practices that are clearly condemned in Scripture. ...And when we judge them as such, we are simply agreeing with the Word of God.It is the Bible that is judging, not ourselves.
Having said that, though, we can still sin even when we judge in accordance with Scripture. We can sin if we judge from an attitude of self-righteousness or if we judge harshly or with a spirit of censoriousness. We sin if we condemn the obviously flagrant sins of others without at the same time acknowledging that we ourselves are still sinners before God. One of the major objectives of this book is to help us stop doing that." -Jerry Bridges, 'Respectable Sins' 2007.
I thought these words, and teaching really, from Jerry Bridges were well balanced, and they should encourage us as they convict us.
Next time I'll share what Dr. Bridges writes on 'A Critical Spirit". I have dealt with this sinful attitude in the past, and even now in the present I need to be on guard.
3 comments:
Could it be that the log in our own eye is the log of judmentalism, arrogating to ourselves the role of God?
Absolutely Don....
Great find in the quote today...very applicable.
In our relative society - the issue of judgment as compared to discipline (or even suggesting correction) becomes so much more veiled under "hate".
We can sin if we judge from an attitude of self-righteousness
Which is precisely why scripture says that we are not to do so...(at least in this life). The spirit of judgementalism can very quickly flow into self-righteousness - and that alone can be defeating to one's self and even more so, to the Gospel.
If ever we think we should say something, or 'direct' another person - my opinion here - we should first ask ourselves by saying "Jesus says..." (or something similarly related) before what we are going to say to correct the other person. If it doesn't align with Jesus - then, chances are...it's not direction from Him, but rather our critical spirit. When in fact, we need correction first before we can approach our friend in Christ's love.
Good post Don.
WOW this is about the tird post I've read today that has me thinking about so much so early in the am, what a great way to start a day-reflecting on it all. Thanks DON
"..in Christ's love." -Chris
That's the bottom line isn't it? "..because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Rom. 5:8)
We need to have this love rule us when we do need to judge.
Thanks for all your good thoughts Chris.
Mommanator, thanks for always being a Barnabas (son of encouragement), whose real name was Joses. Acts 4:36
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