We may not know why we act, dress, or talk the way we do, and we certainly can't see someone's motivation. But judging them is not only harmful to them, it also hurts other people, perpetuates stereotypes, and adds to the negativity in our hearts. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stop this habit and start making a difference in the world.
Untrue judgment
Untrue judgment when judging others is when someone's judgment is based on sin, selfish ambition, jealousy, or bitterness. Instead of judging someone else, a person should judge their own sin first. This can be difficult to do, but it is necessary if one wants to help others.
Cynicism is another form of critical judgment. People who are habitually cynical are quick to attribute the worst motives to others.
Self-righteous judgment
Self-righteous judgment is a hypocritical attitude in which we judge others based on our own standards rather than God's. This is a dangerous attitude, which is contrary to the principles of love and forgiveness. Moreover, this attitude is detrimental to the true brotherhood and proper fellowship of believers. The teaching of Christ in Luke 18:9-14 is a clear example of how self-righteous judgment should not be practiced. We should never elevate ourselves to the level of God's righteousness, for this will only bring condemnation upon ourselves.
Moreover, Jesus' teachings teach us that we are created in the image of God, and that God sees no sin or imperfection in us. Thus, we must treat others without judgment. Self-righteousness makes us feel inferior to others, and we tend to withhold affection and encouragement from them. Humility, on the other hand, is a state of mind in which we look in the mirror and ask the Holy Spirit to show us our shortcomings and sins. When we become humble, we become tolerant and loving toward others, and our shortcomings melt away.
Passing judgment based on appearances
Passing judgment on others based on their looks is not only wrong, but also unwise. The Bible warns us to avoid making snap judgments. The way people dress, how they talk, and even their handshake can make us make assumptions about a person based on their looks. The list of possible reasons to pass judgment on someone is almost endless.
When we pass judgment on someone based on their appearance, we are actually perpetuating stereotypes and reducing feelings of empathy and connection. This can have negative consequences and lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression. The good news is that if we can stop ourselves from making judgments, we can improve our relationships and emotional health.
Decreasing negative judgments
Decreasing negative judgments when judging people is important for improving our social and emotional well-being. Our judgments are based on partial information, and a lack of curiosity can make us jump to negative conclusions. Curiosity enables us to ask questions, gather information, and make a more informed judgment. Being curious about someone helps us understand their choices and increase our compassion for them.
Another way to decrease negative judgments is to write what we feel, rather than saying what we think. This is called a nonjudgmental approach. Instead of using judgmental words, write how you feel and express your feelings, while remaining factual.