Tuesday, March 28, 2006

On being "judgmental"

Some words get completely taken one way (usually the 'other way'). Words like 'judgment.' Many people work at not being 'judgmental.' This of course can be good, if by that we mean we don't pass judgment on someone without first finding out the facts. The sad thing about it is that many people don't think about the other side of the coin and relinquish all 'judgment' as being something to avoid. The Bible offers many verses to the contrary, I am reminded of this in my study of Philippians, I would like to highlight two verses that speaks of judgment in a good sense. In fact judgment is something that needs to be an outflow of the true work of grace in our hearts.

"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;" (Phil. 1:9)

Paul goes on to tell us why this important.

"That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ;" (Phil. 1:10)

So many Christians make decisions solely based on emotions. I believe these verses teaches us that decisions need to be rooted in more than just emotions. Our love should be rooted in God and His Word so that we can 'abound' and/or have a more proper 'knowledge' and 'judgment' to 'approve things that are excellent.'
Is it therefore good to be 'judgmental?' In this case, yes!

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