Judgment vs. Discernment
Focus On Me
Small confession. I don’t listen to Christian music outside of church. Especially worship.
Don’t judge!
There just seems to be a certain sound that is distinctly “Christian music” that I don’t particularly care for. I don’t even have to hear any lyrics. I can generally pick out a Christian song by just hearing a few bars of the music. I know it’s not the holiest thing, but it’s just not my style. (Although I’ve been quite fond Cory Asbury’s new album, Pioneer, lately.)
But I turned on a local Christian station in my truck not long ago. They said it was some new stuff so I thought I would listen to what’s current in the industry. The song talked a lot about God blessing me and making a way for me. In fact, it was pretty much exclusively about me…what I can get from God. Not the exact lyrics, but that’s the message.
Fast forward a couple days.
I saw a post on Facebook that shared the greatest prayers we could pray. They were all about what God could do for me. Lead me, bless me, make me something better.
Me.
Those are just two examples of something I’ve become more and more aware of. Modern, American Christianity has become me focused.
This, of course, is nothing new, right? Not exactly a shocker. You’ve heard all of this before. You, my keenly aware reader, have probably said it yourself. I’ve heard several sermons about the evils of consumerism in the Church. It seems that many (maybe most) have acknowledged that American Christianity is inherently selfish.
Yet, it hasn’t changed.
The knowledge of our own selfishness hasn’t caused us to stop and take inventory of our heart’s motivation. Maybe it’s because it’s ingrained into church culture. Maybe it’s that damn American Dream that seems to have become part of our DNA. Then again, maybe it’s because we are human. Painfully human, as I like to say.
Hard Left Turn
I may shake my head about the prevailing themes of modern worship songs, or sermon series designed to speak only to our personal needs. But I still live as though my blessing is the most important thing.
I want more money, better looks, more followers, greater success and yes…these kinds of things take up a good portion of my prayers.
So I’m just as guilty of this selfish, consumerist version of Christianity that I criticize so fiercely. I’m part of the problem that I call out. And you’re most likely with me.
It seems the Bible is true…
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.1
This is not unlike our fascination with videos of bad things happening to people. I will watch a video of someone being hurt by someone else and notice all of the bystanders in the video recording the event instead of intervening. I’ll shout at my phone, “Someone help them!” But all the while, I’m grateful that someone recorded it.
No one likes to admit this about themselves, but it’s how we are.
Have you ever noticed how we can be our own worst critic in some parts of life, but completely unwilling to judge ourselves the same way we judge others. For instance, I am my own worst critic when it comes to writing, speaking, even fishing. But I am quite reluctant to judge my own intentions and motivations truthfully. But I’m more than willing to judge yours.
Am I alone in this?
We are all righteous in our own sight, aren’t we? Our cause just and our actions pure. Vindication fuels our arguments. It’s at the core of marital fights and court battles. I’m right and you’re wrong. I’m good and you’re evil.
A Better Way
While I criticize things I don’t like about the modern Church, I feel the need to be careful to navigate the tension between judgment and my own self-awareness. This is the essence of discernment and something that I’m still working on.
Discernment might be basically defined as judgment, but there is a big difference between the two. Judgment points a finger while discernment takes the thing and holds it in its hands. It touches, feels and perceives. More than a mere assessment; it’s an invitation to understand, to see deeply, and to approach with humility. (Now there’s a word.) Discernment sits in close proximity while judgment only has to see from a distance.
Through discernment we are invited into a deeper, more thoughtful engagement with the world around us. It requires a willingness to see beyond surface flaws and recognize the inner complexities of both others and ourselves. By choosing discernment over judgment, we step away from division and open the door to grace, allowing us to sift through the messiness of life, people and the Church with understanding and purpose.
Growing up charismatic, I used to think that discernment was about being able to tell if there was a demonic influence driving someone. I’ve come to see that it’s actually a way of dealing with people and situations with grace, wisdom and humility. Not forgetting your own humanity as you explore the humanity of others. I’ve been trying hard to stir up this gift of the Spirit inside of me.
I pray we would all treat one another with grace, wisdom and humility.
Grace and Peace to you.