(Posted on March 26, 2014 by David McMillin)
[NOTE: While serving as mentor for an online version of "A Search For God" study group and working on the Virtue and Understanding lesson, a class member shared her observation that we all tend to judge others every day ("by not associating with them or are happy when we hear criminals are sent to jail") and especially when the others consciously engage in immoral or criminal behavior. Here is my reply – David McMillin]
… that’s an important question worthy of our attention. In fact, I wrestled with this issue this past week while listening to a news report about a serial child molester. Of course, we each have our own “worst case scenarios” when it comes to human evil. And that in itself is probably significant (with regard to the MIRROR OF LIFE in the broader context of the soul’s journey through materiality).
As I have reflected on such situations, I have come to the realization within myself that I cannot rule out the possibility (even probability) that as a soul entity I may have done things as evil and monstrous as anything done by any other individual. For example, I once had a rather vivid, explicit dream of myself as a Viking warrior: The “skullcrusher who takes no prisoners.” Significantly, he was a hero amongst his own people (relativity of virtue). At times I am aware of this latent personality in my current incarnation. And he is not the only such interesting character in my reincarnational archive - a humbling thought. So I have to be careful about passing judgment on others. For me, it does put a little extra meaning into the admonition: “Judge not that ye be not judged, for with what judgment ye judge, it shall be meted to thee again.” Mercy ever, please.
I think what we call “judgment” or “judging” can have various meanings. It can simply mean discernment or analysis:
Thus we have the direct manner in which each individual, each hearer, might judge; not as judging another but as an analysis … (262-125)
I have served on a jury in a legal proceeding in which judgment was passed based on human laws. I don’t think that is what the scripture is referring to, however. And yet such too is filtered through ideals. Correct?
There is also discernment when working with Ideals:
Judge not that ye be not judged. Know thy ideal, and check it with that… parallel them with thine ideal. (3063-1)
I think the caution in “Judge Not”, may have to do with the meaning applied in that case – judgment as condemnation. We are not simply discerning so that we can make choices and act according to an ideal, but we are condemning another soul as a spiritual being:
And judge not others, condemn not others. This is not love divine, neither is it Wisdom. For it builds barriers, it destroys, it undermines the life of self first and then in the hearts and minds and experiences of others brings sorrow, disappointments, and those things that maketh the hearts of men afraid. (262-104)
First of all, do you really know another soul’s experience enough to be their judge.
But do not become a judge of others without knowing THEIR environ and THEIR reaction, THEIR lives. For if you would not be judged, then judge not others. Remember those laws that have been indicated.” (1574-1)
Speak gently, speak kindly to those who falter. Ye know not THEIR own temptation, nor the littleness of their understanding. Judge not as to this or that activity of another; rather pray that the light may shine even in THEIR lives as it HAS in thine. (2112-1)
So judgment can operate at various levels: Physical (this food tastes better that that); Mental (discernment – this is correct, that is error); and Spiritual (based on our spiritual ideal). Judgment as condemnation of another soul seems to fall within the spiritual realm, yet may not be the wisest choice in the broader scheme of things.
Remember that we all make it back to the Source. So this is certainly a challenging question. I look forward to hearing from others who may wish to share on this question based on their own EXPERIENCE and APPLICATION as it applies to Virtue and Understanding. Blessings, Dave
PS: As a resource, here are some Cayce excerpts on judgment.
And judge not others, condemn not others. This is not love divine, neither is it Wisdom. For it builds barriers, it destroys, it undermines the life of self first and then in the hearts and minds and experiences of others brings sorrow, disappointments, and those things that maketh the hearts of men afraid. (262-104)
Let mercy and justice be thy watchword rather than judgment upon others. For "Judge not that ye be not judged" is the same as saying show mercy to those that are wayward, to those that are awkward, to those that are unkind, to those that are rude - if you would have God show these to you. For in thy awkwardness, in thy stumbling, ye oft find fault in thine self. Do not judge thyself. Let God's mercy and love rule thee. (262-109)
First of all, do you really know another soul’s experience enough to be their judge. But do not become a judge of others without knowing THEIR environ and THEIR reaction, THEIR lives. For if you would not be judged, then judge not others. Remember those laws that have been indicated. (1574-1)
Speak gently, speak kindly to those who falter. Ye know not THEIR own temptation, nor the littleness of their understanding. Judge not as to this or that activity of another; rather pray that the light may shine even in THEIR lives as it HAS in thine. (2112-1)
As to any individual, who is to judge his brother? As given of old, "Judge not lest ye be judged." Who are ye to judge what the other would do? Hast thou been in the same position, in the same place? Are thine own purposes and desires pure? Then, do not judge your brother! (3976-14)
(Q) Am I using my abilities and accomplishments to the purpose of this entity?
(A) Who is to judge but self. Judge not if ye be not judged. Do you measure up to thine own ideals? Do you cast judgments upon others? Answer within self. Who made ME a judge of thee? (4041-1)
Magnify then the virtues of all, minimize the faults. "Judge not if ye would not be judged" is not merely a saying or a tenet, but a principle, a law that is eternal … entity. (2624-1)
Judge not that ye be not judged, and remember the law that is so similar, "As ye sow ye reap" - not only materially but mentally and spiritually. (4047-2)
For judge not if ye be not judged - this is the law. When ye judge, the same judgement ye are passing to thyself. (3457-1)
Find not fault with others. Judge not that ye be not judged, for with what judgment ye judge it will be measured to thee again. These are not merely words, they are not merely precepts, but they are the immutable laws … of the Creative Force - God. (3006-1)
Judge not that ye be not judged, but rather with that measure ye mete it WILL be measured to you again. (3812-12)
But so live that ye judge not others and others will not judge thee. (2783-1)
The abilities of the entity to judge a person at once is sometimes carried most too far. It is well that impressions be heeded, but as will be seen from the pattern of the entity, this may apply: "Judge not that ye be not judged, for with what judgment ye judge, it shall be meted to thee again." (5141-1)
Brain forces are very good. The discernments, the judgements of the body in its ability for differentiations are good. (685-1)
The high mental abilities, discernments, judgements, choices being made, are ever a part of the innate experience of the entity; as also the home and the experiences of same; making the choice of friends rather than accepting all. Not that the entity has not been or is not democratic in its ideas, yet it finds ever those necessities or the expedience for choosing those with whom it would share its intimacies - either in conversation or in activity. As to what the entity does about all of these depends rather upon the choices to be made respecting that the entity innately and manifestedly sets as its ideal in relationship to same. (1663-2)
First, as indicated, analyze self. Find thy ideals, and then study to show thyself approved unto same; rightly stressing the words of truth, applying them in that same phase of consciousness, whether to spiritual, mental or physical-material phases. For, judge not spiritual things from the material angles nor material ideals; but let spirit answer to spirit, mind to mind, body to body. These, then, are one; as the activity has indicated for the entity. (5142-1)
The warnings, then, to the entity: Do know that while the body, mind and soul are one, yet in the material relationships these have their aspects. Then judge not individuals nor conditions that are of a spiritual or mental nature by purely material standards, neither judge those of the material or mental nature by purely spiritual standards, for each has its part in the experience of individuals and the answer is ever according to that which is the ideal of the individual. (5032-1)
(Q) What has caused the present marital difficulty between my husband, [...] and me?
(A) Differences of opinions as to questions. And these may be best solved in that as indicated. Judge not that ye be not judged.
(Q) Can this matter be straightened out, or should I institute divorce proceedings?
(A) This depends upon what the entity chooses as the ideal. (3257-1)
Depends upon who is the judge! Judge not that ye be not judged. Know thy ideal, and check it with that. Not merely in mind, but put it on paper - see what it looks like! In some instances you'll be ashamed, in others it will open much good for thee.
(Q) In which incarnations have I made the greatest progress?
(A) Are you judging from the material, the mental or the spiritual? Judge these by that ye accomplished in the varied experiences, and parallel them with thine ideal. (3063-1)