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Use discernment but don’t “judge”

October 15, 2024
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Daily Scripture

Matthew 7:1-6

1 “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you. 3 Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when there’s a log in your eye? 5 You deceive yourself! First take the log out of your eye, and then you’ll see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye. 6 Don’t give holy things to dogs, and don’t throw your pearls in front of pigs. They will stomp on the pearls, then turn around and attack you.

Daily Reflection & Prayer

Jesus knew we humans are quick to judge others. Verse 6 showed that “don’t judge” did not mean “give up discernment.” But Jesus knew we tend to overlook or excuse similar (or even worse) actions by ourselves or people we favor. That is divisive and hurtful in workplaces or families. Carried into politics, it often seems goes on steroids. Have you ever applauded as a political figure you dislike was criticized, and then reluctantly realized, “The side I favor has done similar (or maybe worse) things”?

  • “Don’t judge” did not mean “Don’t have opinions” (much less “don’t vote”). It did mean “Don’t hold those who reach different conclusions in contempt.” In 2020, the two main candidates for governor of Utah filmed a TV ad together, modeling respect and unity regardless of the outcome. (Click here to see that historic—and much too rare—ad.) If candidates can do that, how can their backers (including you) follow suit, and love even your neighbor who votes differently?
  • Of course, Jesus’ words applied not only to politics but to all relationships. Think about all the family or friend relationships you have. Is it possible for two people to care deeply about each other’s well-being, and yet come to different conclusions about the best way to address issues that arise? Can they work together toward solutions without doubting each other’s honesty or motives?
Prayer

Lord Jesus, as our nation nears this year’s elections, please rid my spirit of contempt and judgment. Remind me that people who disagree with me, in my nation or my family circle, aren’t automatically dishonest, and are always worthy of love. Amen.

GPS Insights

Picture of Brandon Gregory

Brandon Gregory

Brandon Gregory is a volunteer for the worship and missions teams at Church of the Resurrection. He helps lead worship at Leawood's modern worship services, as well as at the West and Downtown services, and is involved with the Malawi missions team at home.

 

I often use stories from my past in these GPS entries, sometimes going as far back as college or high school, but I have a more recent story today. I was posting in an online forum earlier today about politics (as I do just about every day now because I’m a glutton for punishment) and saw a news story that upset me because the actions I saw hurt people in need. I posted a reply to the post, lamenting that seemingly half the nation was failing to take responsibility for this action and put a stop to it. Almost immediately, someone on the opposite side of the political spectrum responded and asked if I would be willing to take responsibility for a dangerous historical figure whose beliefs aligned a little more closely with mine. This poor soul was downvoted viciously and mocked. Still, he had a good point: how could I ask others to take responsibility for the people who agreed with them on some political issues if I was not willing to do the same for the problematic people on “my side”?

In the recent race between Biden and Trump, both candidates were criticized for being too old to run. I’m no expert and can’t comment on the validity of these comments, but I will say that many of the comments, from both sides, took unnecessary steps to criticize the candidates. Tasteless jokes about adult diapers and common health problems became the norm. I will say this plainly: that is unacceptable, no matter who you’re talking about. I sometimes argue with people (on my side of the political fence) about this, and I’m sometimes asked why I’m defending such a person. In those cases, the demeaning language around the insults becomes so associated with the person that a critique of the language and argument is seen as an endorsement of the opponent.

This doesn’t mean that we can’t disagree or argue. On the contrary, civil disagreements and arguments are sorely needed in today’s political climate. The point is that we can have many legitimate disagreements—differences of opinion and perspective—that don’t devolve into personal attacks. This is important in our relationships with friends, family, and even strangers—but it’s also important for the people we think we agree with. Making tasteless comments about a politician’s age can tell our elderly friends that we don’t value them. Commenting on a politician’s mental capacity or possible mental illness can tell those of us with mental disabilities that we are not to be trusted. And of course, personal attacks against individuals tell our friends and neighbors who disagree with us that no civil conversation can be had.

After a few minutes of thought, my response to the person who called me out online was that we have a far greater voice for calling out the people who agree with us, not those who disagree. While many or most people of that political persuasion may not support dangerous actions, the ones who don’t have a moral responsibility to speak out against it because the extremists are much more likely to listen to people they see as peers rather than enemies. I wrote this as a response to the guy who commented on my post, but it’s an important lesson that I have to teach myself frequently: don’t ever turn a valid disagreement into a personal attack that makes us feel better without actually solving anything. If you see a friend doing something bad, call them out; if you see a stranger or even an enemy doing something bad, call them out respectfully. We can talk about impact without assigning the intention and we can critique someone’s beliefs without assuming morality. Honest respectful political discourse is sorely needed in America right now.

© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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