Not judging

[AlanFromWichita]

Why can’t anybody take Jesus as His word, “do not judge, lest you be judged?”

There have been millions of books worth of material written, probably thousands of pages just here on CAF, with one excuse after another why judging is needed and precisely what consitutes “good judging” and “bad judging.”

We have a million excuses not to take our Savior at His word.

It’s not all that complicated. We try to intellectualize it and fight it and analyze it. What part of “DO NOT JUDGE” do we refuse to hear? Or to open our eyes and see? Do you think Jesus was saying “do not judge” so that we could have scholarly debates on what types and flavors of judgment are the kind that take you to heaven v. those that take you to hell.

If we absolutely refuse to hear His words, or even consider – nay, even imagine – what it would be like to “Do whatever he tells you.” (Mary’s last recorded words) Really. What would Mary think if Jesus started a CAF thread and wrote, “do not judge lest you be judged,” and then found a thread that discusses all the types of judgment our religion mandates us to make? And many of us having an adamant refusal to “not judge?” Are we not telling Mary, “we’ll listen to your Son when He starts making sense to our sinful, human, calculating minds?”

Hello? Anybody with me here? Jesus says “don’t do X.” We say, “but we must do X, especially in certain cases.” That’s why we have to be like a child to enter the kingdom. A four year old can understand this but we can’t.

1 Tim 6:3-5
Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain.

Alan

 

[Cadian]

Why can’t anybody take Jesus as His word, “do not judge, lest you be judged?”

Because this is misused in modern secular society. We are in fact to judge the behavior of our neighbor if it is sinful or in error and lead them to the truth. We are NOT to judge the state of one’s immortal soul. We are not to say someone is “going to hell” or “going to heaven”. That is what is ment by the “judging” comment.

We are to point out error as a matter of charity so that the person in error can get back on the right path. Not to do so is actually on some levels sinful ( … what I have done and what I have failed to do … ). That is to say if you can say something and you know that you could have some influence, you should take the oportinity to try to help the person in error. If you are in turn persecuted for this action so be it. At least you made the attempt. But, in doing so one also must make sure that the attempt will do no more harm. It is a “judgement” call on your part but, something must be done. Even if it’s just to pray for the individual in error. You can not do nothing.

Judge Not? – Jim Blackburn

 

[Fairwinds]

My issue is not with making those “judgements” assesments, but with confronting someone. With saying I don’t trust you or I don’t want to hang out with you.

I’ve fired people by telling them “I don’t trust you”. if you haven’t been in a social group that hasn’t encouraged a member not to return, you must have some odd standards.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I’ve planted my seeds. I know what good “not judging” can do. If you prefer, you may explain to me all the reasons we should try to “radically” follow Jesus’s teachings. Why should we water it down and make it lukewarm and so complicated that it has to be explained with scholarly terminology. YMMV.

And you don’t seem to understand. I’m telling you all as your brother that you are interpreting the teachings of Jesus by mixing it with the leaven of human invention. Consequently, you are not receiving the blessings of overwhelming peace that His teaching on not judging will bring. It isn’t about not keeping order, or no safety. It’s about quit comparing sins. Keep social order, but that is the job of the police not the Church.

Food for thought, anyway. Just a challenge to live the gospel as it’s written rather than as interpreted. Trust the gospel …

Mark 4:4-12
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep. And when the sun rose, it was scorched and it withered for lack of roots. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it produced no grain. And some seed fell on rich soil and produced fruit. It came up and grew and yielded thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” He added, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.”

And when he was alone, those present along with the Twelve questioned him about the parables. He answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables,
so that ‘they may look and see but not perceive,
and hear and listen but not understand,
in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.’

Alan

 

[Cadian]

I’ve planted my seeds. I know what good “not judging” can do. If you prefer, you may explain to me all the reasons we should try to “radically” follow Jesus’s teachings. Why should we water it down and make it lukewarm and so complicated that it has to be explained with scholarly terminology. YMMV.

And did so incorrecty.

And you don’t seem to understand. I’m telling you all as your brother that you are interpreting the teachings of Jesus by mixing it with the leaven of human invention. Consequently, you are not receiving the blessings of overwhelming peace that His teaching on not judging will bring. It isn’t about not keeping order, or no safety. It’s about quit comparing sins. Keep social order, but that is the job of the police not the Church.

I provided a link to support what I am saying via Jim Blackburn of Catholic Answers. You know the people that run this site? Do you or anyone that posts on these forums read the wealth of information that they provide?

 

[AlanFromWichita]

And did so incorrecty.

I provided a link to support what I am saying via Jim Blackburn of Catholic Answers. You know the people that run this site? Do you or anyone that posts on these forums read the wealth of information that they provide?

Suit yourself.

 

[Cadian]

Suit yourself.

Look Alan,

If you want to remain ignorant and not take advantage of all the resources that Catholic Answers has to offer … then “suit yourself”. I am done arguing with you. You pontificate your error to be right, period. If you are going to not recognize the resources given by this site then you really shouldn’t be here.

I caution all to read what this sight has to say about all of your questions . There is a forum for “ask the apologist” (first on the site) as well as using the “search” feature of the site to look up past articles from the CA magazine and the repository of commonly asked questions. It’s all in there.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

I am done arguing with you.

Is that a promise?

 

[FrancisBenedict]

Hello? Anybody with me here? Jesus says “don’t do X.” We say, “but we must do X, especially in certain cases.” That’s why we have to be like a child to enter the kingdom. A four year old can understand this but we can’t.

Yes I am with you in trying to take Christ at his word.

We all are I think, but I try not to take a view,just to take direct what he said as its often so simple!

God bless you +