Condemnation vs. Judgment

These two words carry a lot of weight… by the way they are used or by the tone of how they are expressed. Condemnation and judgment are life-changing words, literally. We tend to use them synonymously; believing they mean the same thing. However, the latter, is misunderstood and should not be automatically paired with the other.

Dictionary.com defines them as follows:

Judgment: The mental ability to perceive and distinguish relationships; discernment. The capacity to form an opinion by distinguishing and evaluating. The capacity to assess situations or circumstances and draw sound conclusions; good sense.

Condemnation: The expression of strong disapproval. To pronounce judgment against; sentence. To judge or declare to be unfit for use or consumption. To lend credence to or provide evidence for an adverse judgment against. To compel or force into a particular state or activity or punishment.

So often we say “Who am I to judge?” “I don’t want to judge…” Even the Bible tells us “judge not lest we be judged.” And yet, when you look at their true definitions, you see how different they are. You see how judgment is actually a word that when put into action shows wisdom and maturity. Yes, the words can be interchangeable… but we need to be more conscious of their true meaning and approach situations and people keeping that in mind.

To function in this life we are required to make judgments everyday. We need to judge a course of action; if something is beneficial or harmful; if something is right or wrong. We are faced with judgments in our families and friendships, at school and work, etc. Some we make without thinking, others we have to struggle with for an extended time. Some judgments are spot on and others we need to rethink or change altogether. But it is not wrong to judge. Judgment is a good thing. It allows us to succeed and fail; to protect and care; it allows a civil society to survive… it simply enables us to function within our world.

Judgment takes a wrong turn when we tip the scales and slide into condemnation. That is what the Bible means - we are not to condemn someone, less we be condemned. In an everyday sense, it is not our place to “declare to be unfit” or “provide evidence for an adverse judgment against.” When it comes to condemnation – it is true – who are we to condemn? God is the only one with the power to do that, for He is the only one who truly sees the hearts of men.

I find that I often judge the behaviors and decisions of others. And I must confess that my expression of these judgments sometimes slide into condemnation. I’m not one who easily masks my feelings or opinions. It has affected some of my relationships and has limited others. I have been wrong and must ask forgiveness. I must seek to restore those relationships or at least free them to bloom with no restrictions.

We all have the right to judge and we must exercise that right. However, in dealing with others – especially those we hold dear – we need to be cognizant of how we are expressing our judgment. Are we making judgments from love or in condemnation?

No one is perfect, and we’ll often get it wrong… but keep on judging. Only strive to judge from a place of love.