Overcoming the Fault of Finding Fault (Tuesday, July 23)

The Word of the Day is "judge." In today's scripture study of Romans 14:9018, Paul poses a question we might ask ourselves when tempted to criticize others. He asks, "Why do you judge your brother?" (Romans 14:10). In today's reading, we will answer that question. More than that, we will find ways to counter the destructive tendency to pass judgment on our fellow humans. Judging others is not just a harmful type of pride. It is a destructive force that can tear apart the fabric of our community. Unless we are constantly watchful, our fleshly nature will condemn others for their faults, even if we only do it mentally.

In Greek, the term "to judge" comes from the thought of distinguishing ourselves from others. When we are judgmental, we separate ourselves from others in our hearts or actions (Strong's #2919, 145). Why do we judge? It is because we consider ourselves to be on a higher level than others. From this lofty view, we think that we can see the failings and sins of our neighbor and then point out his errors.

Judging Others Condemns Them

Today's reading suggests that pride leads us to show contempt for those we criticize (Romans 14:10b). Thus, judging is not an attitude of love but hate. It is disgust that divides from others.

Note that Paul writes that only One has the right to put Himself above others. The apostle testifies that "Christ died and rose and lived again that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living" (OSB vs. 9). The term "Lord" in Greek refers to someone who has authority or rule over others (Strong's #2961). In the same vein, Jesus says in John, "As the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself and has given Him authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man" (OSB John 5:26-27). In Greek, the term "judgment" is derived from the term that means to separate or divide and refers to the verdict of either commendation or condemnation (Strong's #2920)

How We Judge Others Will Determine How We Are Judged

We have these basic meanings  in mind when we say in the Creed, "And He shall come again to judge the living and the dead." When we affirm this faith, we should tremble because Christ's judgment includes each of us. Thus, the Lord taught, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judged, you will also be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you" (OSB Matthew 7:2).

Three Ways of Resisting the Temptation to Judge Others

But how are we to resist the temptation to judge others? Among the counsels of the church fathers are three constructive suggestions. First, the "Prayer of St. Isaac the Syrian" closes with the final petition, "Grant me to see my own transgressions, and not to judge my brother." With this prayer in mind, as soon as a critical thought against others arises, we should immediately look to ourselves. We should recall the teaching that Paul recommended to Timothy: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief" (OSB 1 Timothy 1:15). Or we should recall our prayer before receiving communion, "I believe O Lord and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first." Thus, the recollection of our sinfulness will chase away every temptation to criticize others.

Replacing Criticism With Praise and Prayer

In the Philokalia, St. Maximos the Confessor offers a second approach. He advises, "Do not condemn today as base and wicked the man whom yesterday you praised as good and commended as virtuous, changing from love to hatred, because he has criticized you" (St.-Maximos-the-Confessor 1981, Loc. 10551). In other words, we should change our attitude toward our fellow humans. Instead of quickness to find fault, we should be ready to give another "unmixed praise and pray for him sincerely as if praying for ourselves" (St.-Maximos-the-Confessor 1981, Loc. 10553). In summary, we should look for the good qualities in others even if they have pointed out the faults in ourselves.

Finally, we should treat our neighbors with forbearance and long-suffering. In the Philokalia, St. Maximos quotes the sage of Proverbs, who says, "The long-suffering man abounds in understanding" (St.-Maximos-the-Confessor 1981, Loc. 10541) (Proverbs 14:29). This wisdom suggests that we should replace our fault-finding of others with empathy for them and the challenges they face. By understanding their struggles, we can resist the temptation to judge and instead offer support and understanding.

For Reflection

However, does the command against judging others mean that we should not seek the wisdom of discernment? The answer lies in the difference between discernment and judgment. The word discernment is derived from the idea of perception. It refers to the invaluable ability to differentiate between one thing or another. With that distinction in mind, we understand what Paul means when he prays that the love of the Philippians may "abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment" (OSB Philippians 1:9) and what the writer of Hebrews means when he speaks of mature believers who "by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14). 

Therefore, insight into the difference between the will of God and the ways of the devil is discernment. Judgment indeed depends on the ability to perceive differences. However, judging others uses this capability in the wrong way. It compares the difference between our supposed spiritual and moral character to that of others. In short, while we should discern good from evil, we should not condemn others by judging them but leave judgment to God.

Worked Cited

St.-Maximos-the-Confessor. 1981. "The Philokalia: the Complete Text" In St. Maximos the Confessor: Forty Texts on Love New York: Farber and Farber. Kindle Edition.