When Jesus Christ was about to heal a man taken with an affliction, the Pharisees and scribes watched intently to try to find fault with His actions. We read the account in Luke 6:6-11.

"Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, 'Arise and stand here.' And he arose and stood . . .

"And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus."

This was only one of several occasions when a judgmental approach was used against Jesus. See Mark 2:5-7, 23-24; 3:1-6; 7:1-5; and Luke 7:36-39. Paul encountered a judgmental attitude when he was "examined" for his activities by the Corinthian members (1 Corinthians 9:3). We sometimes are judgmental ourselves.

When we go to the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the themes is that we will be rulers with Christ and be given the responsibility to judge the world (Revelation 20:4; 1 Corinthians 6:2).

There is, however, an important difference between being a judge and being judgmental. The definition of judgmental is "making or tending to make judgments as to value, importance, etc., often specifically, judgments considered to be lacking in tolerance, compassion, objectivity, etc." To judge means to get the facts and make an objective decision (obviously, when it is one's responsibility to judge).

It is critical for good relationships and for the growth of others that we understand the difference and refrain from being judgmental.

Under Scrutiny

Do you like to be watched? Have you ever tried to do something under the scrutinizing eyes of another person? Did it make you nervous? Uneasy, perhaps? Judgmental individuals tend to make others feel uncomfortable since those who are judgmental are looking to criticize.

Another example might help clarify the difference between judgmental and judging. You are riding with someone in that person's car. You feel you're moving along at a rapid pace. You glance at the speedometer and it reads 85 miles an hour. The posted speed limit is 65. You would judge correctly to say the driver is speeding. A judgmental person would watch the speedometer regularly and not only the speedometer, but the use of the turn signals, the lane changes, the distance between the car and the vehicle in front of the car. A judgmental person gives a person the feeling of being judged virtually all of the time.

When we're judgmental at church, we make others feel uncomfortable and uneasy. We make ourselves very unpleasant to be around. Sometimes judgmental individuals get satisfaction in their faultfinding because it means someone else is worse than they are. Sometimes that judgmental attitude takes the attention away from their own personal problems. Sometimes self-righteousness develops, with the attitude, "I am better than you are."

A person who is subjected to a judgmental person might become a "men-pleaser" (Ephesians 6:6) to avoid being judged. The judged person might become angry and feel like quitting. Judgmental people aren't nice to be around.

Righteousness is a goal that is only accomplished through God's Spirit working richly in us. To attain God's righteousness we need His help and strength. Jesus Christ is our righteousness. By working in and through us, He will help us prevail (Philippians 1:11). We stand or fall to our God and His Son to whom we must give account.

When we exercise a judgmental approach to our brothers and sisters, we are really judging another man's servant (Romans 14:4). Our Father and Jesus Christ do not look upon such an action too kindly. They are quite able to do Their jobs.

We are urged to grow to the perfect example of Jesus Christ. None of us matches up to that measurement. We all have our faults. We need to turn the mirror in our own direction (James 1:22-25). We need to judge ourselves, but not be judgmental—even toward ourselves (Galatians 6:4). Those who are self-effacing will judge themselves too harshly. John speaks of this as those whose hearts condemn them when God does not (1 John 3:20).

How to Conquer Being Judgmental

To conquer this ugly trait, we must first of all come to acknowledge that we are judgmental. Then observe it in the actions of others. See that being judgmental brings undesirable results. That trait makes us difficult to be around. We must recognize that it is right to judge ourselves, but we're not to judge others. That is up to their Master—Jesus Christ (Romans 14:10)! We need to recognize right from wrong, good from evil, righteousness from iniquity, but not scrutinize others to try to find faults in them.

When we see a fault in others, we should seek to help them, instead of judging them. Paul gives the charge to the Galatians that those who are spiritual are to help restore a person with a fault and to help that person work through it (Galatians 6:1-2). Being judgmental only pushes others away and establishes self-righteousness in the judge.

The Church of God will have a warmer, welcoming atmosphere and be a more godly body if we learn to conquer the ugly trait of being judgmental. If we all spent more time paying our debts of loving one another, we would have little time to be judgmental. When we feel the need to judge someone, let it be ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:28, 31).

May God help us to root out this fellowship killer, this growth suppressor, the awful tendency of being judgmental.