Why are some believers so
judgmental?
On June 7, 1944, after V-day in Normandy, King Leopold
the Third, King of Belgium, was deported to Germany with his family under
suspicion of collaboration with the Germans. On September 8, 1944 the Belgian
population celebrated the return of their government from London, and twelve
days later, that same government appointed Prince Charles, King Leopold's
brother, as regent of Belgium.
Six years later, on March 12, 1950, a referendum was
held. The subject in question? Whether or not Leopold the Third should be
reinstated as King of Belgium. 57.68% of the population voted in favor of his
reinstatement, and on July 22, 1950, the king finally returned home.
Not everybody was happy, however. Protests began
everywhere with many demanding that the king step down. Although these
complainers were in the minority, their criticism was vicious, and a year later,
when Boudewijn, Leopold the Third's son, came of age, they got their wish.
Leopold the Third stepped down and Boudewijn was appointed king of Belgium.
Why are there so many judgmental people, even among
believers?
We have to remind ourselves that even Jesus was not
exempt from criticism. He even endured horrible criticism while he hung from the
cross! (See Mat 27:41-44)
Jesus Himself gives us a look at such judgmental
believers on two different occasions:
1. "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a
Pharisee (Pastor or Priest in now-a-days term) and the other a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not
like other men - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax
collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would
not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on
me, a sinner.'
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went
home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and
he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14 NIV)
Clearly the judgmental one had two reasons for his
attitude: He was proud that he wasn't like the others, and he delighted in
putting himself in the lime light of good works. Legalists (otherwise called
those who are judgmental) love to attack other people's character and motives.
They consider themselves superior to others, and often rank their churches above
others as well. Brotherly love is completely non-existent.
Obviously the one who went home justified is the one
who searched for mercy from above. Not the one who was self-satisfied.
2. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in
the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use,
it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your
brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say
to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time
there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of
your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your
brother's eye." (Matt 7:1-5 NIV)
In other words, judging others is clearly wrong! (See
1 Cor 4:5) It drives people away from God and the one judging is undoubtedly
lacking in love.
In all reality it might seem strange, but legalists do
not see themselves as judgmental. They really believe they are trying to help
their brothers and sisters turn from their sin, and they don't realize that
their condemnation is actually what compels that brother or sister towards that
very same sin! "Sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment,
produced in me every kind of covetous desire." (Rom 7:8 NIV)
But condemnation never works. Only grace can convict
someone to do the right thing: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has
appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly
passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present
age." (Titus 2:11-12 NIV)
Honestly, because of sin in their own lives, those who
judge are completely disqualified from the task of trying to straighten someone
else out. How could it be otherwise? Superiority and lack of love prevent them
from being able to clearly see other people and their needs! They end up
whacking others in the head, but all the while they have a two-by-four sticking
out of their own eye! Ouch! Not quite effective for removing specks, is it?
We can't help others unless our own issues of
judgmental superiority and lack of love are addressed. Our coldness and
harshness are far bigger issues than the speck we notice in others! Only in
humility and with tender loving care can we help others on their way to real
living. Legalism is not the solution! In fact love is the primal requirement for
being able to see without prejudice, and to being able to serve others
effectively! (See Phil 1:9-11)
Judgmental people generally do not know the true God
of love. Although they truly believe they worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, they falsely see God as being critical and overbearing, ever waiting to
jump on them for doing the least little thing wrong. Unfortunately, rather than
becoming like the God of love clearly portrayed in the Scriptures, they become
like the false image they have of God! The plank in their eye prevents them from
seeing clearly their own condition!
This is the folly of legalism, friends. It creates its
very own god, one who is a harsh, merciless enforcer of rules and precepts, then
it treats people the way they envision God as treating them. They have become
just like those who built their own gods with their very own hands (See Ps
115:4-8 NIV)
Jesus came from above and showed us the way (See John
14:6). He never displayed a "holier than thou" attitude. He loved people and
wanted them to know how much God loves them (See John 3:16). The only ones He
rebuked were the ones He called 'hypocrites" (Pharisees, Sadducees and teachers
of the law), and that only because they were driving people away from the One
who loves them unconditionally: God Himself!
We may not like these legalists very much, but they
give us the opportunity to love them by word and action as well as in prayer.
They need God as much, if not more, than anyone else.
Let's not follow in their footsteps. Instead, let's
focus on Jesus and on Him alone. He will lift us up, loving us completely and
unconditionally, just the way we are.
If kings and kingdoms can crumble under criticism, we
also will crumble, unless we discover who God truly is!
Rob Chaffart
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