Interestingly, Jewish culture even up to the present time, has tried to instill in its people the ethic to "judge
favourably". There is a Jewish group that meets simply to practice finding ways to give the benefit of the
doubt when it appears someone has done something unkind. They reflect on hurts in their lives and then
propose ways to excuse the perpetrator. For example, when one of them didn't receive an invitation to a
wedding, they would say, "Perhaps the person was under the impression that they had already sent an
invitation‖, or, "Perhaps they couldn't afford to invite many people‖. (See The Book of Jewish Values, by
Joseph Telushkin, p. 35.) One Jewish website called, ―The Other Side of the Story‖ is filled with stories of
situations where a person looked like he was doing wrong, but then turned out to be innocent. The point is
simply to teach others the importance of judging favourably.
Y‟shua‟s words, "Do Not Judge"So, how does Y‘shua‘s words that say, "Do not judge" compare with the ethic of judging favourably? The
idea behind judging favourably is to find ways to assume that other's intentions are good. But, given what we
know about human nature, we expect that people will sin willfully and intentionally. So at some point when
we have been offended, we need to realise that if we are sinners ourselves and that we can't demand
judgment on others. We need to put aside judgment and extend mercy instead. As Y‘shua said, ―(36) Be ye
therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not,
and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (38) Give, and it shall be given unto you;
good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For
with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again‖. (Luke 6:36-38)
Obviously, we are not saying this to avoid having discernment. We can discern whether an action or an
outward attitude is wrong. According to Paul, the Believers are also obligated to discipline sinful practice
among its members (1 Cor 5:1-5). And if the wrong is committed against us personally, Y‘shua tells us to
show the person his sin in hopes of his being repentant so that we can forgive. (Matt 18:15-17)
Also, in Lev 19:17-18 it says, ―(17) Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise
rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. (18) Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against
the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD‖.
While we can discern sin in practice, only YHWH knows the true motive of the heart; so we need to leave
final judgment of the person up to Him. To judge another is to presume to have both the knowledge and
authority of YHWH Himself. So when we are in a situation where we are tempted to pass judgment, we need
to step back and hand it up to YHWH and to remind ourselves that it is His job and not ours. As James says,
―There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" (Jam 4:12)
and Paul reminds us, ―But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for
we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ‖. (Rom 14:10)
What is Judging?
If judging (negatively) is defined as believing the worst about others, it encompasses many other kinds of
behaviour that we know are wrong. All insults are forms of judgment. If we like a woman, we may describe
her as "bold and self-assured"; but if we don't, we will judge her negatively by calling her "arrogant and loud-
mouthed". A man may simply be uninformed; but when we call him "stupid", we have judged him negatively.
James says, ―Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his
brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law,
but a judge‖. (Jam 4:11)
Gossip relies heavily on judgment. People who love to gossip usually have a habit of looking for wrongdoing
in a person's life in order to share it with others. Criticism, cynicism, and complaining are all based on
searching out the negative everywhere we can find it. Even people who struggle with chronic anger can often
find the root of their problem in always looking for something wrong in other peoples' actions - by their own
act of judging negatively.
Unfortunately, our culture is also filled to the brim with "judging". Politics seems not to be able function
without it. Various parties accuse each other of ugly, self-interested reasons for every action. Editorials are
filled with cynicism about the evil motives of the government and inept handling of international affairs.
Tabloids, comedians, and political talk shows delight in finding prominent peoples' faults and holding them up
for ridicule. Unfortunately, we don't notice that participating in that kind of judgment slowly fills us with the
same ugly attitude toward others—even poisoning our relationships with loved ones.