Yes you do, we all do. It seems to be part of our very DNA...part of our survival skills. Without even being conscious of it, when we see someone we "size them up". We may use a different word to describe the process, but it comes down to judging. That computer in our head looks a person over, takes note of their appearance, what they say, their facial expressions, body language, and anything else pertinent. Then we stick them in the "appropriate box" and interact with them according to that box. Once they have been categorized, it is very hard to get out of it! Have you ever heard someone say--or found yourself saying, "You are so different than I thought you were" or "You aren't anything like I thought!" ?? They were put in the wrong "box" and only with time and building a relationship did they get out of that box!
When someone is in a conversation and they say "well, I don't judge anyone..." they are judging. That is usually a condescending statement that says "You judge, so I am better than you because I don't...I am more open minded" They are judging the other person and trying to place themselves above them. I was recently in a conversation where they said that they don't judge, etc. But in just a few minutes, they had completely misjudged me! Their words showed me that they had judged me, decided what my life experiences were, decided what and how I was thinking, and stuck me in a box. They were completely off base. I can't remember the last time I was so misjudged. And yet this person claimed they didn't judge people! Don't delude yourself, everyone judges. The real problem comes when they pass judgement.
Judging is more of a thought process. It is what we think of someone and on what level we interact with them. Judgement is putting those thoughts into action and passing "sentence" on them. Judgement may be as subtle as gossiping about them--talking about what you think about them. Judgement may be as blatant as costing them their job or their marriage. Judgement is about trying to punish them in one way or another for what you think they are doing wrong. We will all reap the harvest of the seed we have sown, but it isn't your job to fertilize the crop. I would imagine that we have all done that at some time, but we should strive to take what we see in that person to God in prayer.
I believe in being real. Hypocritical religious cliches irk me. We can put blinders on and be in denial of the things we say and do. Or we can shine a light on our own words and behaviors and strive to grow and change and become more like Him. I haven't arrived and I am not perfect but....
...... but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
~~ Philippians 3:12-14 Be blessed, Arlene
When someone is in a conversation and they say "well, I don't judge anyone..." they are judging. That is usually a condescending statement that says "You judge, so I am better than you because I don't...I am more open minded" They are judging the other person and trying to place themselves above them. I was recently in a conversation where they said that they don't judge, etc. But in just a few minutes, they had completely misjudged me! Their words showed me that they had judged me, decided what my life experiences were, decided what and how I was thinking, and stuck me in a box. They were completely off base. I can't remember the last time I was so misjudged. And yet this person claimed they didn't judge people! Don't delude yourself, everyone judges. The real problem comes when they pass judgement.
Judging is more of a thought process. It is what we think of someone and on what level we interact with them. Judgement is putting those thoughts into action and passing "sentence" on them. Judgement may be as subtle as gossiping about them--talking about what you think about them. Judgement may be as blatant as costing them their job or their marriage. Judgement is about trying to punish them in one way or another for what you think they are doing wrong. We will all reap the harvest of the seed we have sown, but it isn't your job to fertilize the crop. I would imagine that we have all done that at some time, but we should strive to take what we see in that person to God in prayer.
I believe in being real. Hypocritical religious cliches irk me. We can put blinders on and be in denial of the things we say and do. Or we can shine a light on our own words and behaviors and strive to grow and change and become more like Him. I haven't arrived and I am not perfect but....
...... but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
~~ Philippians 3:12-14 Be blessed, Arlene
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