We observe something when we become aware of it. We acknowledge "this is so." We judge when we form an opinion, as in "I think this about that." Observation is a neutral act of taking in information upon which we base our responses. Judgment involves rendering an opinion regarding the relative value or merit of what is being observed.
No matter what you do for a living, these two concepts should be understood.
Christians around the world are accused of judging others, when in reality their observations are based on actions, words, or visible habits. When Kirk Cameron spoke out about homosexuality based upon his biblical convictions he was blasted for a week for being judgmental. Even the great Billy Graham was bashed for standing up for the Marriage Amendment in North Carolina this past May.
Often times people rush to judgments of their own based upon nothing more than their personal opinion. The genuine Christian or "spiritual person" can evaluate everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone (1 Corinthians 2:15). Is that because they are perfect and better than other people? Absolutely not. The spiritual person can discern everything with respect to his or her wisdom, yet he or she is examined by no one. This is what the Bible says, this is not an opinion, this is truth. The spiritual person's discernment is an understanding of the deep things of God freely given to the believer by the Holy Spirit that dwells inside him or her. The "spiritual person" is examined by the Lord as Judge to determine how faithful he has been to living and proclaiming the truth.
Obviously, unbelievers are able to recognize Christian's faults and shortcomings, we all have them. But they are not to evaluate their true nature as spiritual people who have been transformed into children of God.
No matter what you do for a living, these two concepts should be understood.
Christians around the world are accused of judging others, when in reality their observations are based on actions, words, or visible habits. When Kirk Cameron spoke out about homosexuality based upon his biblical convictions he was blasted for a week for being judgmental. Even the great Billy Graham was bashed for standing up for the Marriage Amendment in North Carolina this past May.
Often times people rush to judgments of their own based upon nothing more than their personal opinion. The genuine Christian or "spiritual person" can evaluate everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone (1 Corinthians 2:15). Is that because they are perfect and better than other people? Absolutely not. The spiritual person can discern everything with respect to his or her wisdom, yet he or she is examined by no one. This is what the Bible says, this is not an opinion, this is truth. The spiritual person's discernment is an understanding of the deep things of God freely given to the believer by the Holy Spirit that dwells inside him or her. The "spiritual person" is examined by the Lord as Judge to determine how faithful he has been to living and proclaiming the truth.
Obviously, unbelievers are able to recognize Christian's faults and shortcomings, we all have them. But they are not to evaluate their true nature as spiritual people who have been transformed into children of God.
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