Some of you will recall that wacky show from the 1960s called Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In which was a fast paced comedy hour of skits, jokes and silliness based on all manner of non-politically correct subject matters. One of the skits featured a courtroom scene that had an opening chant that repeated the statement in rapid fire proclamation, “Here comes the judge!”
Shall we connect Laugh In to scripture today? I think that could be fun and educational. We can study the concepts of judge, judging and judgment.
The book of Matthew has lessons on the judgment of others:
Matthew 7 : 1-5 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
OUCH! That is a lesson to be learned!
Why do we judge others?
–to avoid our own failings?
–to feel superior to others?
–to define who is real to us and those who are not?
–to categorize people so they make sense to us?
–to puff up ourselves?
Are any of those reasons to judge noble ones? Good ones? True ones?
When we judge are we really getting to know that person or is it easier to push our opinions out there thus blocking an opportunity to learn about that other person and blocking a chance to learn from that other person?
It’s a human dilemma. It is our nature to judge but it is God’s desire that we don’t.
Interpersonal Communication theory tells us we fall to the influence of something called “social comparison.” We want to be like some people and we want to not be like others. As a result we compare ourselves over and over– judging ourselves and judging those around us. In all reality it is not always bad to do this. If I compare myself to a mentor I might set new goals and activities for myself. HOWEVER, if I compare myself to the wrong role model, I may be compromising my true self.
Hmm–“Here comes the judge.”
Is that a statement about me?
spiritandsoul.net 
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