Self-Judgment

Reading social media these days, I realize that despite our differences, we have all fallen into the same trap – judgment. Each of us worries about how our problems and challenges will be perceived by others, and by so doing, we weaken the Body of Christ. We are called to lift each other up, carry each other’s burdens, and encourage each other, but we don’t know how to do that because the judgment plies us with embarrassment, guilt, and shame.  And, these judgments stop us from helping each other and from showing others how Christians are different than the world in which we live.  

Paul addressed this trap of self-judgment and worry about the views of others in 1 Corinthians 4:3-4.  “As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority, I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.  My conscious is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.” Wow. That is a lot of truth in a few words. Paul, who could check all the right boxes, says that he doesn’t concern himself with the judgments of others, even though he was objectively impressive.  

But, perhaps, more importantly, Paul saw the trap of self-judgment. He states that he doesn’t even trust his own judgment. Can you imagine? Turning off the judgmental side of your internal dialogue and just doing your best with love in your heart. Telling your doubts, fears, embarrassment, and shame to SHUT UP. Can you imagine how much more effective you would be if you didn’t over-evaluate your every action?  

Shutting the judgment off doesn’t mean that you are free of accountability or free of sin. No. Paul makes that clear – his conscious is clear – because his acts are following the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and he does them with a loving heart. He is still a sinner and accountable to God, but he recognizes that God is the only just judge. God knows everything in your heart – so He is truly the only judge that we need worry about.    

Speaking of Jesus, Peter seconds this notion of the just judge in 1 Peter 2:22-23, stating that:

He never sinned,
Nor deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
Nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
Who always judges fairly. 

If Jesus could let God judge him fairly, maybe we should do so too. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that Jesus was branded for having too much fun – he was not burdened by worrying about the judgment of himself or others – he just trusted in God and lived. I am not saying we should not be wise in who we share our lives with, especially our hurts and fears, but we should never worry too much about judgment.