4 Principles of the Righteous Judgment and Discernment

One of the most important results of God’s redemptive and transformational work in us is the righteous judgment and discernment.  It serves as a basis for decision-making and action. The righteous judgment is the basis for overcoming in life.

The Righteous Judgment – Definition

The verb “to judge” means to evaluate, assess, consider a case, to pronounce a verdict or decision. Also: to form an opinion or conclusion about, to decide (a case or the results in competition), to determine, to find, to rule.

The noun “judgment” carries the meaning of the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions. Some synonyms: an opinion or conclusion, discernment, sense, perception, understanding, intelligence, awareness, verdict, decision, ruling, finding, pronouncement.

We see that righteous judgment is connected with our mind and our way of perception, thinking, and assessment. It is related as well as with the forming of views and opinions on all matters.

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The Righteous Judgment – Not by Appearances and Human Standards

“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” (John 7:24)

“You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, Who sent me.” (John 8:15-16)

The most important criterion is not to judge by mere appearances, ie. not to rely on our natural perceptions and logical conclusions. With our limited thinking and abilities, we see and understand things in part and very often in a distorted way – through the lenses of our own experiences and wounds.

God calls us to rise from this carnal and sensual thinking and through our connection with Him, to see things from the higher, heavenly perspective.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

The Higher Perspective

This perspective is the eternal one that is rooted in God’s love and redemption. If we really believe that God knows the end from the beginning, that He sees and guides the course of history and of our own life from the beginning to the end, then we can trust and ask God to show us His perspective and opinion for events, people, and problems.

The way to a correct judgment and action is to recognize and seek God as the supreme authority for everything and as a source of knowledge of wisdom. To accept His judgment as true and correct and to act in agreement with it. That is why the righteous and correct judgment is an expression of humility and dependence on God, of faith in action.

If you need help in learning how to meditate on God’s truths, check up on this excellent book by my writer friend Sarah Geringer: Transforming Your Thought Life.

The Purpose of the Righteous Judgment

The purpose of the righteous judgment is to discern and fulfill the will of God in the given situation. That is why the proper motivation towards obedience and putting it into practice is the other essential factor to judge properly.

The search for God’s perspective is not an end in itself, but it should lead us to act according to what we see and understand. It is difficult to accept true wisdom and understanding if we have not decided to act upon it. Such motivation also expresses our position of humility without which it is very difficult to receive something from God.

The search for God's perspective is not an end in itself, but it should lead us to act accordingly. #God #BibleTeaching #Truth #bgbg2 Share on X

The righteous judgment and perception of a particular situation, relationship, or person lead firstly to the deliverance and solution of the internal conflict inside us. The understanding and acceptance of God’s perspective and truth on a given subject leads to freedom, inner peace, and tranquility.

From the position of this resolved internal conflict, we can meet and confront in the best and most successful way with the other people around us or with the external circumstances. That is why righteous judgment achieves also the goal of bringing peace, restoring God’s order, and ruling in the problem domain.

„These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts.” (Zachariah 8:16)

The Focus of the Righteous Judgement

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Above all, God calls us to judge and evaluate ourselves, our motives, thoughts, and reactions. Why? Because this is our primary sphere of responsibility and control.

You can learn more on this topic in the excellent book “Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life”. This is the most helpful resource for me after the Bible!

Only when our hearts and motives are pure, we can really judge the behavior or motives of other people and help them. The main characteristic of the pure heart is that it stands transparent and open to God and allows Him to purify, shape, heal, and refresh it. Such a heart has believed and trusted God’s love and has decided to follow it.

The pure heart does not hold unforgiveness and offense and does not seek its rights. Anger, jealousy, offense, and the desire for revenge hinder our motivation, blurring and distorting our vision.

“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? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)

Conclusion

The correct and righteous judgments as the base of a successful and abundant life lie only on the excellent path of love. This is the way of accepting and giving God’s love.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:12-13)

More Encouragement for You

If you need more resources, encouragement, and help in making the right judgment and discernment, I can highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Transforming Your Thought Life  by Sarah Geringer

Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert

How to Walk Away from Toxic People by Gary Thomas

 

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Your Turn

Which of these principles is the most difficult for you to apply? Why? You are welcome to share and comment!

Above all, God calls us to judge and evaluate our own motives, thoughts, and reactions because this is our primary sphere of responsibility and control. #God #Responsibility #BibleTeaching #bgbg2 Share on X The purpose of the righteous judgment is to discern and fulfill the will of God in the given situation. #Christianliving #decisionmaking #faith #BibleStudy Share on X

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