When & What Should We Judge?

[Micawber]

I find this a little confusing.

On the one hand, there’s a constant reminder in the NT esp. that one shouldn’t judge (for example, Luke 6:36-8); and yet, don’t I have a duty to judge and speak when I see evil (within myself - yes, that goes without saying) at work in and among my fellow men??

 

[davidv]

I find this a little confusing.

On the one hand, there’s a constant reminder in the NT esp. that one shouldn’t judge (for example, Luke 6:36-8); and yet, don’t I have a duty to judge and speak when I see evil (within myself - yes, that goes without saying) at work in and among my fellow men??

It is less confusing if one remembers that the meaning of “judgement” changes depending on these two contexts.

 

[Della]

If we compare ourselves to others, that is being judgmental. If we compare others’ behavior to that of the laws of God, that is discernment. However, discernment does not give us license to think ourselves better than those who are not keeping God’s laws, for all of us are dependent on God’s grace to be holy.

So, as in the example of today’s Gospel, if we have a dispute with our brother and he won’t listen to us (correcting him according to God’s law with love), then we take the matter before other witnesses. And if that doesn’t show him, then we take it to the Church. This is very different from the Pharisee comparing himself to the Publican and telling God how bad the Publican was and how good he was. Does that help?

 

[GeorgeSword]

We shouldn’t judge what state their souls are in, because only God knows that. However, we can judge, for instance, someone’s intentions by their visible actions. ‘Judge’ can mean a whole lot of things.

 

[ricko]

I find this a little confusing.

On the one hand, there’s a constant reminder in the NT esp. that one shouldn’t judge (for example, Luke 6:36-8); and yet, don’t I have a duty to judge and speak when I see evil (within myself - yes, that goes without saying) at work in and among my fellow men??

You are correct. Almost everyone knows the passage: “Judge not, that you be not judged.” and almost everyone misinterprets it.

It does not mean that we cannot judge the actions of another if they are wrong. It means that we must judge rightly.

“Do you not know that the saints * will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, matters pertaining to this life!…Shun immorality” (1 Cor. 6:2-18).

Now it must be understood that we are not to judge the state of a soul. That is for Christ alone. But we are called to judge (the actions) of our brother.

Go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Matt. 18:15-17)

A full account of this is here… catholic.com/thisrock/2007/0702btb.asp*