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JUDGE NOT, LEST YE BE JUDGED
Kathlyn Q. Barrozo
Class of 1991, University of Santo Tomas
B.S. Medical Technology
How we judge others is how we will be judged. This makes the role of judges, whether in a court of law or a
contest of some sort, very significant. We often hear of things such as impartial judgment, biased judgment,
deplorable judgment, and so on. A judge
’
s mishandling of a case means that he was unable to render proper
judgment. A bungled judgment is always as bad as a judgment that’s made based on mere hearsay or
negligence. It would be better to restrict oneself in such cases. This is specially so when a judge holds a specific
interest in a particular case.
We have to make judgments very often in our own lives. They may be as trivial as which of two dresses looks
better for a party, or as vital as which of our two children holds the greater responsibility. In both cases,
deciding on one option can mean we go with one and leave out the other. There’s always a risk that whatever
judgment we make can cause irreparable, irreversible damage. For the choice of dress, we may look great
during the party or end up looking like we threw something on unthinkingly. For the choice between which
child holds greater responsibility, we may end up teaching one to hate us forever while keeping the other one’s
loyalty.
That is the very reason why we need to make judgments without haste, but only after very careful
consideration. We do not want to judge too harshly either, for even Our Creator is never harsh. We need to
make judgments based on the merits of a particular situation or event and not on what people want to hear
but on what the circumstances warrant. The bible says, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not
condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” However, there are always those
among us who need to judge because the situation needs judgment. In those situations, they are only doing
their job. If no one is left to render judgment, chaos could potentially erupt. And although the judgment might
not be popular or palatable to some, it is still the greater good that dictates the choice to be made.
I have never been invited to render judgment on particular events or situations outside of the home.
Fortunately, my role as a parent has entitled me only to make judgments on my children’s future and their day-
to-day existence: the school they should go to (public school or public school? LOL); the degree they can take
(and that I can afford for them); the time they need to be home (too late or too early?); manner of dressing (is
this dress too short or are these pants too tight?); and so on and so forth.
Thank God for small blessings!
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1.
Have you ever rendered any major judgments? Be able to talk about that situation in class.
2.
Why is it always difficult to make judgments? Cite examples, as needed.
3.
Would you want to do the work of a judge in a court of law? Why or why not?
4.
Why is judging for a beauty contest different from judging in a court of law? Elaborate on your answer.
5.
Have you ever been judged unjustly? Talk about what happened.