“I think that that it is fair to say that there have been times when we have all criticized someone unfairly. Although we don’t know all the details of others’ circumstances, nor can we hope to understand their motives, this nonetheless does not deter us from being judgmental.” (Fr. Andrew Demotses)
“Extremism or legalism can be very harmful to ourselves and others. It is a special trick of the evil one to tempt us to become judgmental toward others and to cultivate a spirit of pride within ourselves.” (Dr. Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou)
“…the Lord condemns judgmentalism, not judgement. This is because judgement is a basic feature of the human mind and the Lord doesn’t wish to abrogate this- Christ didn’t come to destroy us, but to save us. Of course he said ‘Don’t judge’ (Matth. 7, 1), but in the sense of denunciation. Because, at another point he remarks that we can judge other people, but only when we judge fairly: ‘Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment’. What is the proper judgement that the Lord accepts? He himself guides us: ‘My judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of the father who sent me’. Fair judgment is that which comes from people who live the will of God as their own. And since the will of God is love that’s why we judge in a proper manner when our judgement is full of love for others. Of course, from this point of view, the only just judgement is God’s, since he is love (1 John 4, 8); as is that of the saints since they strove to make God’s will their own.” (Protopresbyter Georgios Dorbarakis)
“Here is the difference between good and bad judging, between godly accountability and ungodly judgmentalism. When Paul reproved the sinner in Corinth and judged him, he did it for the sake of the sinner, to lead him to repentance and pardon and joy. Paul did not suggest that he was better than the sinner. Indeed, Paul was not in the equation at all, because it was not about comparing the sinner to anyone. But when the Pharisee judged the publican, the comparative equation was everything. The purpose of the judging was not the repentance and reclamation of the publican, but the self-exaltation of the Pharisee. And we know where such self-exultation leads. “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,” the Lord said. So, “judge not.” (Fr. Lawrence Farley)
“We don’t become less judgmental by a quick resolution to stop judging. Consciously or unconsciously, we all judge others. We become less judgmental by catching ourselves judging others, then surrendering the judgment to the Lord. In that sense, judging others can be an opportunity to pray, to surrender, and to be less judgmental. God can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.” (Albert S. Rossi, PhD)
#FrAndrewDemotses #DrEugeniaScarvelisConstantinou #ProtopresbyterGeorgiosDorbarakis #FrLawrenceFarley #AlbertSRossiPhD