“There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads—they couldn’t be fair if they tried.” -Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird
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Tag Archives: judgmentalism
How to Avoid Criticism
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing.” -Aristotle
Living as a Body
“So often we find ourselves saying something like, “Say, did you hear about Harry and Sue? It seems they’re really having some problems. They’re even thinking about a divorce. It’s too bad. Why can’t people get along with each other anymore?” Just as the parts of the physical body never communicate with such negativity and indifference, neither should we. Rather, we should rush the restorative powers of the body to those hurting members. Basically, this means that the ministry of the Holy Spirit needs to be applied by the loving and concerned prayer of other members. Even in this area, though, we need to be careful that we do not gossip under the guise of sharing a prayer request. Every word we say about the hurting of another believer should be motivated strictly by a sincere concern for that person’s welfare and a desire to see the restorative power of the Holy Spirit at work in his or her life.” -Jerry Bridges, True Community
Body Life Illustrated
“The truth that we belong to one another should work itself out in our lives in a number of mutually helpful ways. Paul says that all the parts of the body “should have equal concern for each other” (1 Corinthians 12: 25). What is our response, for example, when we hear of a fellow believer who has fallen before some temptation? Is it a response of criticism and condemnation, of gossip and a holier-than-thou shaking of our heads? If so, we are not practicing biblical koinonia. Instead of criticism and condemnation, there should be concern and prayer for our fellow member of the body and, if it is appropriate, attempts on our part to gently restore the erring brother or sister. Let me illustrate the utter ridiculousness of some of our attitudes and actions toward other believers with a somewhat silly idea. Can you imagine the ear making the following comment to the eye? “Say, did you hear about the serious trouble the foot is having? My, my, isn’t it too bad? That foot surely ought to get his act together.” No, no, our bodies don’t behave that way at all! Instead the entire body cries out, “My foot hurts! I feel awful!” ” -Jerry Bridges, True Community
Critics
“Critics are men who watch a battle from a high place then come down and shoot the survivors.” -Ernest Hemingway
Making Ourselves Blind
“Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled [!] to as we are.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer
BTW NOTE: [!] supplied by me. Is “entitled” the right word there?
