One of the most important results of God’s redemptive and transformational work in us is the righteous judgment and discernment. It serves as a basis for decision-making and action. The righteous judgment is the basis for overcoming in life.
The Righteous Judgment – Definition
The verb “to judge” means to evaluate, assess, consider a case, to pronounce a verdict or decision. Also: to form an opinion or conclusion about, to decide (a case or the results in competition), to determine, to find, to rule.
The noun “judgment” carries the meaning of the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions. Some synonyms: an opinion or conclusion, discernment, sense, perception, understanding, intelligence, awareness, verdict, decision, ruling, finding, pronouncement.
We see that righteous judgment is connected with our mind and our way of perception, thinking, and assessment. It is related as well as with the forming of views and opinions on all matters.
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The Righteous Judgment – Not by Appearances and Human Standards
“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” (John 7:24)
“You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, Who sent me.” (John 8:15-16)
The most important criterion is not to judge by mere appearances, ie. not to rely on our natural perceptions and logical conclusions. With our limited thinking and abilities, we see and understand things in part and very often in a distorted way – through the lenses of our own experiences and wounds.
God calls us to rise from this carnal and sensual thinking and through our connection with Him, to see things from the higher, heavenly perspective.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
The Higher Perspective
This perspective is the eternal one that is rooted in God’s love and redemption. If we really believe that God knows the end from the beginning, that He sees and guides the course of history and of our own life from the beginning to the end, then we can trust and ask God to show us His perspective and opinion for events, people and problems.
The way to a correct judgment and action is to recognize and seek God as the supreme authority for everything and as a source of knowledge of wisdom. To accept His judgment as true and correct and to act in agreement with it. That is why the righteous and correct judgment is an expression of humility and dependence on God, of faith in action.
If you need help in learning how to meditate on God’s truths, check up on this excellent book by my writer friend Sarah Geringer: Transforming Your Thought Life.
The Purpose of the Righteous Judgment
The purpose of the righteous judgment is to discern and fulfill the will of God in the given situation. That is why the proper motivation towards obedience and putting it into practice is the other essential factor to judge properly.
The search for God’s perspective is not an end in itself, but it should lead us to act according to what we see and understand. It is difficult to accept true wisdom and understanding if we have not decided to act upon it. Such motivation also expresses our position of humility without which it is very difficult to receive something from God.
The search for God's perspective is not an end in itself, but it should lead us to act accordingly. #God #BibleTeaching #Truth #bgbg2 Click To Tweet
The righteous judgment and perception of a particular situation, relationship, or person lead firstly to the deliverance and solution of the internal conflict inside us. The understanding and the acceptance of God’s perspective and truth on a given subject leads to freedom and inner peace and tranquility.
From the position of this resolved internal conflict, we can meet and confront in the best and most successful way with the other people around or with the external circumstances. That is why the righteous judgment achieves also the goal to bring peace and restore God’s order and ruling in the problem domain.
„These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts.” (Zachariah 8:16)
The Focus of the Righteous Judgement
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Above all, God calls us to judge and evaluate ourselves, our motives, thoughts, and reactions. Why? Because this is our primary sphere of responsibility and control.
You can learn more on this topic in the excellent book “Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life”. This is the most helpful resource for me after the Bible!
And only when our hearts and motives are pure, we can really judge the behavior or motives of other people and really help them. The main characteristic of the pure heart is that it stands transparent and open to God and allows Him to purify, shape, heal and refresh it. Such a heart has believed and trusted God’s love and has decided to follow it.
The pure heart does not hold unforgiveness and offense and does not seek its rights. Anger, jealousy, offense, and the desire for revenge hinder our motivation, blurring and distorting our vision.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)
Conclusion
The correct and righteous judgments as the base of successful and abundant life lie only on the excellent path of love. This is the way of accepting and giving God’s love.
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:12-13)
Your Turn
Which of these principles is the most difficult for you to apply? Why? You are welcome to share and comment!
Above all, God calls us to judge and evaluate our own motives, thoughts, and reactions because this is our primary sphere of responsibility and control. #God #Responsibility #BibleTeaching #bgbg2 Click To Tweet The purpose of the righteous judgment is to discern and fulfill the will of God in the given situation. #Christianliving #decisionmaking #faith #BibleStudy Click To Tweet
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FAQs
What does the Bible mean when it says judge righteously? ›
Judging righteously means judging rightly; and judging rightly, in its deepest sense, means judging according to the divine reality of being, in which everyone's true selfhood is recognized to be spiritual, reflecting the graces of God, divine Love.
What does discernment mean biblically? ›Discernment in the Christian religion is considered as a virtue, a discerning individual is considered to possess wisdom, and be of good judgement; especially so with regard to subject matter often overlooked by others.
What is a righteous decision? ›1 : acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin. 2a : morally right or justifiable a righteous decision.
What does it mean to judge righteously LDS? ›Second, a righteous judgment will be guided by the Spirit of the Lord, not by anger, revenge, jealousy, or self-interest. The Book of Mormon teaches: “For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain … as the daylight is from the dark night.
How do we judge righteous judgment? ›When those judgments are based on principles of righteousness, our focus will more fully turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. We will increasingly rely on His perfect judgment, mercy, and grace rather than on mortal accomplishments or imperfections as a basis for judging God, ourselves, and those around us.
Do we have the right to judge others? ›Jesus' concern becomes apparent when He says: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24). This shows Jesus wants us to judge, but we must judge righteously. The Law of Moses says: “In righteousness, you shall judge your neighbour.” Leviticus 19:16).
What are the 3 steps of discernment? ›What are the three steps of the discernment process? Awareness, Understanding, and Action.
What are the 7 steps of discernment? ›- Openness: We must approach the decision in question with an open mind and an open heart. ...
- Generosity: ...
- Courage: ...
- Interior Freedom: ...
- A Habit of Prayerful Reflection on One's Experience: ...
- Having One's Priotities Straight: ...
- Not Confusing Ends with Means:
1 Pray regularly; seek for companionship of Holy Ghost. 2 Study the scriptures, apply them in your life; seek gospel understanding. 3 Act on promptings; exercise gift in all areas of your life. 4 Be obedient; live gospel on daily basis so you are familiar with "still, small voice."
What makes you righteous in God's eyes? ›A human person is not righteous in God's eyes because of his choice or commitment, his good works or his piety, his emotions or intellect. Instead, he is righteous because the Father chooses him from the foundation of the world (Eph.
Who is a righteous person? ›
Being righteous literally means to be right, especially in a moral way. Religious people often talk about being righteous. In their view, the righteous person not only does the right thing for other people but also follows the laws of their religion. Heroes like Martin Luther King are often called righteous.
What are the two judgments in the Bible? ›Are There Two Judgments? — Ask a Pastor, Dr. Dan Lacich - YouTube
What is an example of judging someone? ›If you saw someone give food to a homeless person, you would instinctively make a positive judgment about his or her character. Judging only becomes a problem when we make unnecessary, hurtful or unfair judgments based on little evidence.
Why do we need to stop judging others? ›Judgement makes you Self-Critical
The more you judge others, the more you judge yourself. By constantly seeing the bad in others, we train our minds to find the bad. This can lead to increase in stress. Stress can weaken the immune system and cause high blood pressure, fatigue, depression, anxiety and even stroke.
Bible Gateway Matthew 7 :: NIV. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
Where in the Bible does it say you can judge others? ›Bible Gateway Matthew 7 :: NIV. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
What is the meaning of John 7 24? ›Explanation and Commentary of John 7:24
People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). Jesus rebuked them because they were unable to make the connection between doing God's work of circumcision on the Sabbath and healing a whole body or whole person on the Sabbath.
to express a bad opinion of someone's behaviour, often because you think you are better than them: You have no right to judge other people because of what they look like or what they believe. to officially decide who will be the winner of a competition: I've been asked to judge the children's poetry competition.