JUDGE NOT

The Bible cautions against judging others. As a life and leadership coach over the past two decades, I’ve seen the cost of judgment in people’s lives. The cost of judging others and judging ourselves.

Yet, there is a better way. Could you imagine life without ANY judgment? Most of us can’t, and when we try, we fall short in a few days, if not a few hours.

Let’s explore what a better way looks like.

Another thing I’ve learned over the last twenty years is that in the fallen world (in a state of deception), God’s virtues are twisted into vice. So, if judgment is the vice, we would be wise to wonder …. what is the virtue that existed before it was twisted?

In other words, what virtue does God have for us that is better and wiser than judgment?

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2 (NASB)

Jesus challenged those ready to stone others to look at themselves first for their own faults. Needless to say, not one person cast a stone.

In life coaching, we can see just how limiting judgment is. When we are stuck in judgment, we aren’t always seeing the bigger picture. What is a better way? Are we to throw what we see and perceive to the wayside?

I’ve come to believe that every vice man has conjured up, God answered with a virtue. What virtue lives beyond the vice of judgment? Discernment.In integrative coaching, we invite clients to explore shifting from the limitations of judgment by pivoting into discernment. Discernment is the virtue to the vice of judgment.

In judgment, I’m assessing if something or someone is good, bad, right, or wrong. For example: “AI is a ticking time bomb and is bad.” That is a judgment.

In discernment, I’m moving beyond my evaluation, and I’m moving into observing impact and purpose. For example: “Anything that causes division is not the way. When AI is used to divide, that isn’t the best use of the technology.” I’m observing the impact and purpose.

It can be a subtle distinction, but worth noting.

The tricky part with judgment is that sometimes they are accurate. I judge hate crimes as bad. That is true; they can logically be filed as bad since they cause needless harm.

But if we stop at the judgment, we miss the opportunity to go deeper. Discernment takes us there. Jesus brought to us discernment.

• "The truth shall set you free." – John 8:32

• "No prophet is welcome in his hometown." – Luke 4:24

• "That which is seen is temporary. The unseen is eternal." – 2 Corinthians 4:18

• "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Those who are humble will be exalted." – Matthew 23:12

• "No one can serve two masters." – Matthew 6:24

More examples of discernment:

• The truth always comes out in the wash.

• Arrogance limits compassion.

• This too shall pass.

Discernment elevates us so that we can see beyond a moment in time to the bigger truth. Discernment prevents us from getting sucked into the weeds. Lastly, discernment helps us see how:

The truth of what is happening

doesn’t have to define

the truth of what is possible.

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Here is a video giving a prime example of the wisdom and power of the virtue discernment yields in the age of AI and exploration of and not losing our humanity: https://youtu.be/yZUuKzDQSsI?si=CdZ98rqyg5UkIJy_