Judging OthersJudging Others

St. MakariousSt. Makarious ““Christians therefore ought to strive continually, Christians therefore ought to strive continually,

and never to pass judgment on anyone – no, not and never to pass judgment on anyone – no, not upon the harlot on the street, or upon open upon the harlot on the street, or upon open sinners and disorderly persons – but to regard all sinners and disorderly persons – but to regard all men with singleness of intention and purity of men with singleness of intention and purity of eye, so that it may become like a fixed law of eye, so that it may become like a fixed law of nature to despise no one, to judge no one, to nature to despise no one, to judge no one, to abhor no one, to make no distinctions between abhor no one, to make no distinctions between them. If you see a man with one eye, be not them. If you see a man with one eye, be not divided in your heart, but look upon him as if he divided in your heart, but look upon him as if he were whole. If a man is maimed of one hand, see were whole. If a man is maimed of one hand, see him as not maimed, the lame as straight, the him as not maimed, the lame as straight, the palsied as whole. This is purity of heart, when you palsied as whole. This is purity of heart, when you see sinners or sick people, to have compassion on see sinners or sick people, to have compassion on them and be tender-hearted towards them.”them and be tender-hearted towards them.”

We are better than they are…We are better than they are…

Superficial behavior or traits:Superficial behavior or traits: Intelligence/KnowledgeIntelligence/Knowledge AppearanceAppearance Speech – Accent, vocabulary, Speech – Accent, vocabulary,

reading/speaking ability cursingreading/speaking ability cursing Position – How important are they?Position – How important are they? Possessions – Money, car, house, etcPossessions – Money, car, house, etc

St. JamesSt. James

James 2:1-4James 2:1-41 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our 1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?and become judges with evil thoughts?

Reflects a wrong set of priorities in Reflects a wrong set of priorities in us. us.

We do not trust God for giving us our We do not trust God for giving us our gifts and talents, but we think that gifts and talents, but we think that we are responsible for the blessings we are responsible for the blessings we receive. we receive.

A man who feels indebted to his A man who feels indebted to his master, will not very easily feel that master, will not very easily feel that he is better than another man. he is better than another man.

Spiritual/Moral behavior:Spiritual/Moral behavior: I can judge someone that commits a I can judge someone that commits a

sin or has a weakness that I believe if sin or has a weakness that I believe if I were in their place I would not have I were in their place I would not have committed.committed.

How much faith do they have?How much faith do they have? What kind of attitude do they have?What kind of attitude do they have? How do they behave?How do they behave?

Pharisee and Tax CollectorPharisee and Tax Collector Luke 18:9-14Luke 18:9-14

9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in 9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

What if we are indeed more spiritual What if we are indeed more spiritual than another? Does that give us the than another? Does that give us the right to condemn them?right to condemn them?

St. Makarious said we should not St. Makarious said we should not even judge harlots.even judge harlots.

Reasons not to judgeReasons not to judge

We do not know the circumstances that We do not know the circumstances that lead that person to commit the sin they lead that person to commit the sin they committed or to be in the circumstance that committed or to be in the circumstance that they are in.they are in.

We don’t know what happened to them that We don’t know what happened to them that day, or what kind of negative experiences day, or what kind of negative experiences they have had in their livesthey have had in their lives

We don’t know how hard that person tried We don’t know how hard that person tried to keep themselves from committing the sinto keep themselves from committing the sin

We don’t know the level of temptation they We don’t know the level of temptation they experiencedexperienced

Pope ShenoudaPope Shenouda

““When we see a brother or sister in When we see a brother or sister in sin, there are two things we do not sin, there are two things we do not know: First, we do not know how know: First, we do not know how hard he or she tried not to sin. And hard he or she tried not to sin. And second, we do not know the power of second, we do not know the power of the forces that assailed him or her. the forces that assailed him or her. We also do not know what we would We also do not know what we would have done in the same have done in the same circumstances.” – HH Pope Shenoudacircumstances.” – HH Pope Shenouda

God looks at the heartGod looks at the heart

1 Samuel 16:6-71 Samuel 16:6-76 So it was, when they came, that he 6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him!” 7 But LORD’s anointed is before Him!” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”heart.”

We judge those that commit sins We judge those that commit sins that we also committhat we also commit

Example: We label someone that Example: We label someone that cuts us off in traffic as a horrbile cuts us off in traffic as a horrbile driver.driver.

When I am selfish, I feel justified When I am selfish, I feel justified because I must meet my needs, but because I must meet my needs, but when other people are selfish I look when other people are selfish I look down on them. down on them.

St. PaulSt. Paul

Romans 2:1-3Romans 2:1-31 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, 1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?judgment of God?

Judging reveals a lack of Judging reveals a lack of compassioncompassion

Romans 2:4-7Romans 2:4-74 Or do you despise the riches of His 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;honor, and immortality;

Judging reveals the high opinion Judging reveals the high opinion we have of ourselveswe have of ourselves

When I judge others I place myself in a When I judge others I place myself in a place of authority, being able to discern the place of authority, being able to discern the motives and struggle of the person I judge. motives and struggle of the person I judge. I am qualified to place people into categories.I am qualified to place people into categories. I have the best understanding of all matters I have the best understanding of all matters

and impose my opinion on others.and impose my opinion on others. If I would be given authority and charge of the If I would be given authority and charge of the

situation, everything would be wonderful…but situation, everything would be wonderful…but as it is now everyone around me is not as it is now everyone around me is not managing it wellmanaging it well

A judgmental person cannot admit he is A judgmental person cannot admit he is wrong since that would make him fallible wrong since that would make him fallible just like those he judges.just like those he judges.

Judging blinds us to our own sinsJudging blinds us to our own sins

Matthew 7:1-5Matthew 7:1-51 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with 1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.your brother’s eye.

When we are focused on the mistakes of others, When we are focused on the mistakes of others, we neglect to see our own faults and mistakes.we neglect to see our own faults and mistakes.

God will judge us with the same God will judge us with the same measure by which we judge othersmeasure by which we judge others

Luke 6:37-39Luke 6:37-3937 “Judge not, and you shall not be 37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”it will be measured back to you.”

We should encourage others to We should encourage others to overcome their weaknessesovercome their weaknesses

Galatians 6:1 Galatians 6:1 1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in 1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.you also be tempted.

The goal is to build up others, and The goal is to build up others, and not tear them down.not tear them down.

Daily Self-ExaminationDaily Self-Examination ““Strange enough that we judge the others strictly Strange enough that we judge the others strictly

for their faults against us, but do not judge for their faults against us, but do not judge ourselves with the same strictness, or rather we ourselves with the same strictness, or rather we do not judge ourselves at all! If you really want to do not judge ourselves at all! If you really want to attain the fear of God which is the beginning of attain the fear of God which is the beginning of the spiritual way, for "The fear of the Lord is the the spiritual way, for "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov 9: 10), you have to beginning of wisdom" (Prov 9: 10), you have to examine yourself every day, what you have done examine yourself every day, what you have done or said or thought of. This is what St. Arsanius the or said or thought of. This is what St. Arsanius the Great did every day. You ought not to examine Great did every day. You ought not to examine yourself only with respect to the passive actions yourself only with respect to the passive actions you did, but also for the positive things you you did, but also for the positive things you neglected to do. You will find yourself light on the neglected to do. You will find yourself light on the scales.” -- HH Pope Shenoudascales.” -- HH Pope Shenouda

Psalm 50Psalm 50 ““For I am conscious of my iniquity; and my sin is For I am conscious of my iniquity; and my sin is

at all times before me. Against You only I have at all times before me. Against You only I have sinned, and done evil before You: that You might sinned, and done evil before You: that You might be just in Your sayings, and might overcome be just in Your sayings, and might overcome when You are judged.”when You are judged.”

We should not feel that we have mastered any We should not feel that we have mastered any virtue or that we are above any sin, but to always virtue or that we are above any sin, but to always see ourselves as sinners. By examining ourselves see ourselves as sinners. By examining ourselves we see ourselves more inline with how God sees we see ourselves more inline with how God sees us, sins and all. This will help us to avoid us, sins and all. This will help us to avoid condemning others because we will be very condemning others because we will be very aware that we commit the same sins of which we aware that we commit the same sins of which we accuse them.accuse them.

Examples of not judgingExamples of not judging John 8:3-11John 8:3-11

3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”condemn you; go and sin no more.”

In the days of St. Makarious there was a monk that In the days of St. Makarious there was a monk that was repeatedly committing adultery in the was repeatedly committing adultery in the monastery. His fellow monks found out about what monastery. His fellow monks found out about what was happening and told St. Makarious who was the was happening and told St. Makarious who was the abbot. They told him that they would give him proof abbot. They told him that they would give him proof and waited for the woman to come into the monk’s and waited for the woman to come into the monk’s cell and then call St. Makarious to come to the cell cell and then call St. Makarious to come to the cell and catch them in the act. When the monk knew and catch them in the act. When the monk knew that they were coming in, he hid the woman under a that they were coming in, he hid the woman under a large basket in his cell. St. Makarious knew what he large basket in his cell. St. Makarious knew what he had done and went in and sat on the basket. The had done and went in and sat on the basket. The other monks came and searched the cell, and did other monks came and searched the cell, and did not find anyone. They were too embarrassed to ask not find anyone. They were too embarrassed to ask St. Makarious to stand up to search under him. St. Makarious to stand up to search under him. When they didn’t find anyone, St. Makarious rebuked When they didn’t find anyone, St. Makarious rebuked them for accusing their brother. After seeing what them for accusing their brother. After seeing what St. Makarious did, the adulterous monk repented of St. Makarious did, the adulterous monk repented of his sin and St. Makarious heard a voice from heaven his sin and St. Makarious heard a voice from heaven saying, “Blessed are you Makarious for you have saying, “Blessed are you Makarious for you have covered the sins of others.”covered the sins of others.”

St. Makarious’ goal was the repentance of the monk. St. Makarious’ goal was the repentance of the monk. The other monks’ goal was punishment of the monk.The other monks’ goal was punishment of the monk.

Good judgingGood judging

Discern the difference between right and Discern the difference between right and wrong. wrong.

Avoid people that encourage us to sin or Avoid people that encourage us to sin or are a bad influence. are a bad influence.

Judge when we should rebuke or disciple Judge when we should rebuke or disciple someone someone under our authorityunder our authority..

Judge when we commit a sin.Judge when we commit a sin. The focus here is protecting ourselves and The focus here is protecting ourselves and

doing God’s will…not condemning other doing God’s will…not condemning other people. That is God’s job, not ours.people. That is God’s job, not ours.