12 Keys of Discipleship
Key 10 — Use The Power of Judgment
We’ve said a lot about judgment, but no matter how much the principle is taught and the people are encouraged to use it few do.
What are the four reasons seekers do not use this Key?
The three reasons are:
[1] Laziness
Good judgment takes effort and the inclination for average people is to take the line of least resistance. When taking this line of least resistance, a person who is faced with two choices will take the one requiring the least effort. If therefore such a one is faced with a direction that does not require the effort of judgment, then he will take that. Such a direction is usually the result of another person’s judgment and not his own. This is the path of the Beast.
[2] Apathy.
People are just indifferent to taking responsibility. This might be called an aspect of laziness but with a twist. A lazy person may see the need for judgment but just not get around to it. An apathetic person will not even think about the need but only what matters to himself.
[3] Fear.
This is the most powerful reason behind the avoidance of judgment. The person may be enterprising and care for obtaining good results, but if he is afraid that his judgment may do more harm than good, and he will have to be responsible for it, then good intentions are meaningless. Such a person will be stopped in his tracks and unable to make a judgment.
The disciple must care, and must be industrious enough to initiate and must overcome any fear of the failure of bad judgment. When he does this then he has the possibility of being of service to the cause of light and truth.
[4] The belief that judgment is wrong or even evil.
Judgment has gotten a bad rap because of this scripture:
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matt 7:1-5
Here Jesus is NOT telling us that we cannot judge, but is instead warning us of the law of karma if we judge harshly or incorrectly, for he says: “with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Therefore, if you judge someone with minor faults to have major faults, this harsh judgment will come back to haunt you.
In this scripture He gives the key for righteous judgment: “first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” In other words, concentrate on eliminating your own faults first, and then you will be able to make a correct judgment as to how to help your brother (or sister).
Here is another scripture illustrating even more clearly that Jesus was talking about the law of karma:
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 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
Here He is simply saying that if we judge rashly, condemning our brother and not forgiving him, we will reap what we have sown and find condemnation coming back to us. Jesus gives us a guide in using the power of judgment correctly:
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30
As we seek to become one with God and follow His will, then the beam clogging our vision will be removed and our judgment will also be just. Here is an interesting scripture where Jesus actually tells us to judge:
“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” John 7:24
Judge with clarity wisdom and love, and when you do this and later judged, as you have judged, all will be well with you, but if you do not judge righteously, then the law of karma will bring painful judgments to your door.
Finally, Jesus tells his twelve apostles that they shall be judges:
“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matt 19:28
When you think of it, it is silly to say we should not judge. As soon as you wake in the morning you make a judgment as to whether to get up or sleep a while longer. When you get in the shower you make a judgment as to when you are clean enough to get out. When you eat breakfast, you make a judgment as to what you will have and how much.
When you drive to work and are a little late you make a judgment as to whether you are going to speed or not. Finally, you get to work and meet the new guy who was just hired. He wants to be your best friend and now you make a judgment on whether or not you want this type of personality in your life. Then your boss wants you to dig up some dirt on the boss above him. You judge your boss to be wrong and refuse.
We could go on and on here, but hopefully we get the point. Judgments are not wrong. Only wrong judgments are wrong. Every quality and ability has a positive and negative side to it. When the Bible and A Course in Miracles talks about judgment in a negative light, they are talking about negative, limiting judgments.
Example: The child received some bad grades in school and tells the parent he is going to do better next time. The parent responds: “You’ve failed miserably in the past, so you’re going to fail again.” This is a cruel and limiting judgment.
A positive judgment would be something like this: “I have seen you make progress in the past when you make an effort and I do believe you have it in you to dramatically improve your grades.” Here the parent made a judgment on the positive possibilities of the child, and in this case, judgment is a good thing.
Like all other qualities judgment manifests in a duality. Limiting judgments are negative and should be avoided. Positive and constructive judgments can be very good and uplifting. The disciple needs to avoid judgments that limit, condemn, belittle and emphasize the flaws of others.
Good judgment is spoken of as a divine quality throughout the scriptures. Many times we are told that Christ and God are righteous judges and this power will be given to those who overcome. It is written:
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them.” Rev 20:4
“To play it safe is not to play.” — Robert Altman (1925 – 2007)
June 15, 2009
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