As an assignment for a class I was in I was assigned to research and study a topic I didn’t completely understand. I chose righteous judgment to better understand what makes a judgement so righteous. (This was for a religion class, but it helped me better my research skills)
Judgement
Judgement is an important aspect of life. It is important to look to when making decisions and requires a lot of search so that the wrong judgement is not made. It is especially important to be careful when judging another person.
The Lord has given many commandments relying on judgement. It would be difficult to keep those commandments without having a judgement. This includes modest clothing as well as choosing good movies and music.
Although in Matthew 7:1-2 it says, “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.”
It is still important to make a judgement, but it is important to make a righteous judgement. Judging righteously helps make the right decisions and follow close to the commandments God has given to us.
In the True to the Faith pamphlet it says, [i]“Judgment is an important use of your agency and requires great care, especially when you make judgments about other people. All your judgments must be guided by righteous standards. Remember that only God, who knows each individual’s heart, can make final judgments.”
If a judgement is needed to be made it is better to judge someone’s situation rather than the person.
RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT
Making a righteous judgment requires more than a normal judgement. It requires facts and the knowledge.
A righteous judgement is needed to help guide and protect yourself and others. It is important to carefully think before making a judgement.
CHRIST’S EXAMPLE
Jesus Christ is an example of judging righteously. He judges in a loving manner to the people on the earth.
In 3 Nephi 27:27 the Lord said, “And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgement which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”
We have been commanded to be like Jesus Christ that includes how we judge. He judges in a loving manner and so should we.
Lynn G. Robbins said, [ii]“The proceedings of a righteous judge are merciful, loving, redemptive and not condemning.”
Jesus Christ is the perfect example for righteous judgement. When the adulterous woman was to be stoned for her sins he forgave her while those that already had sins of their own did not.
This is the perfect example for us to follow when it comes to judgment; especially if we are judging another person.
DANGERS OF JUDGEMENT THROUGH ANGER
When a judgement is being made it is extremely important to not let anger be involved. People make it sound like anger is a natural thing that can be good for us, but that is not always the fact. Anger can cause a lot of problems instead of solving them. It is important to think things through before letting anger get the best of us.
In [iii]A Case Against Anger by Burton C. Kelly we are given a list of ways to overcome anger. The first step to eliminate anger is to understand it and the second is knowing anger is a result of sin.
As mentioned earlier that Christ was loving and merciful we can see anger will cause us to be the opposite of that. Anger causes a person to start looking for weaknesses, faults, and errors in another. When we allow this to happen we miss out on the good things.
“In order to get angry at a person, we first have to judge that person.” [iv]Burton C. Kelly said, “When we judge, we’re doing one of two things—we’re either discerning the nature of our experiences (weighing evidence), or we’re condemning.”
As we do this we are judging in an unrighteous manner. We are judging based off of our own thoughts and emotions rather than knowing the truth and following the spirit.
Anger causes a lot of contention with the people in the surrounding area. It can cause issues in the relationship and issues with self-esteem.
“My point is that virtually all, if not all, anger between individuals is destructive.” [v]Burton C. Kelly said.
JUDGEMENT AND FORGIVENESS
Gregory A. Schwitzer said, [vi]“We may often find ourselves making quick judgments about people, which can change or redefine our relationships with them. Often incorrect judgments are made because of limited information or because we do not see beyond that which is immediately in front of us.”
Many times we will judge without thinking; it is important that during these times that we seek forgiveness. We are commanded by the lord to seek forgiveness of others and ourselves when mistakes are made.
Doctrine and Covenants 64:9 “ Ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.”
An important part of forgiveness is showing love. We need to show love to the people we have once judge and to ourselves. We need to seek forgiveness and repent when we have wrongfully judged another person.
[vii]James E. Faust said. “Those who extend judgment, mercy, faith, and forgiveness exhibit a greatness of soul and mind consistent with the spirit of the Lord’s teachings and example. This higher gospel requires that we look inward to our own souls, for we cannot deceive the Lord”
RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT CAN HELP EVERYONE
When it comes to judgement sometimes a relationship can be destroyed. Judging in a righteous manner can help save a relationship before we allow it to be this way.
“Never let a problem be solved become more important of someone.” [viii]Lynn G. Robbins said.
Judging righteously can also protect. When a mother or father must make a judgment of a situation for their children it can either put the family at risk or, if done righteously, will protect them.
We are always having to make a judgment of a daily situation. When we invite the spirit and allow it help our judgment it will help defend and protect. It can save relationships and the lives of people.
SPIRIT IN RIGHTEOUS JUDGEMENT
“I suggest that discerning between rightness and wrongness, discovering the true nature of a given act under the inspiration of the Spirit, is appropriate or righteous judgment. “ [ix]Burton C. Kelly said.
Spirit guides us when we make decisions. When it comes to making a judgement we should be willing to invite the spirit. The spirit can help us make a truly righteous judgment. There are times when we will be unsure, but the spirit will always bring peace and with judgment this is needed.
[x]“Fault finding never comes with the spirit.” Lynn G Robbins said, “spirit of the lord is the spirit of kindness, and charity.”
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
We have a responsibility when it comes to judging. We must choose which type of judgement we will make; will it be righteous? will it be worldly? Our judgements can help guide us to our father-in-heaven if we make the right kind.
[xi]Gregory A. Swchitzer shared an example of how judgment blessed his life, “As I look back over my own personal life, I can see many instances in which a slight change of course based on poor judgment would have led me far from where the Lord wanted me to be—decisions like having a family while obtaining an education, being active in all aspects of the gospel, paying tithes and offerings when income was severely limited, and accepting callings at difficult times, which helped me to understand more about sacrifice. Many blessings in life are missed because worldly judgment was applied to what was really a spiritual decision.”
He described his life if he had not made judgements concerning the gospel. We all must use judgement in our life to identify things to be right or wrong and also must make decisions such as Schwitzer did.
For us to better use our personal responsibility while judging we can use three sources of guidance given by [xii]James E. Faust in one of his talks. The first I seeking the guidance of the Holy Ghost. The Second is to seek and listen to the wise counsel given by priesthood leaders. The third is demonstrate love constantly to control temper in our judgements and help discipline ourselves.
Using these three sources will help build our responsibility and establish a manner that we will wisely create righteous judgements in our daily lives. Doing so will help each of us not only do the lord’s work, but help us grow closer to him as he has asked us to do.
To re-quote one of the scriptures used, “What manner of man ought ye to be, even as I am.” We must follow our saviors example and that includes making righteous judgements that we will be able to invite the spirit into our lives and stop any turmoil or issues from entering our lives.
[i] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, True to the Faith
[ii] Lynn G. Robbins, The Righteous Judge.
[iii] Burton C. Kelly, A Case Against Anger.
[iv] Burton C. Kelly, A Case Against Anger
[v] Burton C. Kelly, A Case Against Anger.
[vi] Gregory A Schwitzer, Developing Good Judgement and Not Judging Others
[vii] James E. Faust, The Weightier Matters: Judgement, Mercy, and Faith
[viii] Lynn G. Robbins, The Righteous Judge.
[ix] Burton C. Kelly, A Case Against Anger
[x] Lynn G. Robbins, A Righteous Judge
[xi] Gregory A. Schwitzer, Developing Good Judgement and Not Judging Others
[xii] James E. Faust, The Weightier Matters: Judgment, Mercy, and Faith
Ashley D. Manson 