Be Careful To Make Good Judgments
You and I have trained ourselves to make judgments regarding politics and economics, sizing up leaders, coaching decisions, and global warming. We watch, read and listen to the news, make our judgments and broadcast our opinions. But, are our opinions well founded; are we good, biblical information gatherers and decision makers?
Proverbs warns us against making judgments based on hearing only one side of the story. “The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.” (Proverbs 18:17) It’s always important to hear and understand different points of view. Withhold your judgment till you really appreciate the perspectives at hand.
Making good judgments also requires getting firsthand or primary information whenever possible. Try not to rely upon digested and interpreted positions. Second or third hand presentations are being filtered through someone else’s values and persuasions. Even if you think you agree with the values of the reporter, she may not be accurately presenting the information or argument. The further removed from the source of communication that you are, the less confident you can be about your own judgments of the situation.
When you consider how far removed we are from international leaders and affairs and the actual events that are reported in the news, it’s often laughable that we can so confidently (or at times pridefully) hold our judgments. All too often our judgments are based upon exaggerated arguments and caricatures, rather than upon the truth and real people. The only way to cut through the gossip, perspectives and persuasions of others is to do what we can to go to the source.
Be careful to hold your judgments with humility; be willing to be moved from your position. Though gossip and secondhand information is tasty (Proverbs 18:8), it can corrupt your ability to perceive the truth. Instead, go to the primary source if you can. Don’t settle for exaggerations and caricatures. Be brokers of truth and relate to real people. Listen to different sides of the argument, and ask specific questions whenever possible. Don’t rely on others to interpret people and situations for you. Do what you can to be as “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)
Being Careful with you,
Pastor Tom
tgriffith@rolcboston.org
