AVOIDING RASH JUDGMENT
TURN your attention upon yourself and beware of
judging the deeds of other men, for in judging others a man labors
vainly, often makes mistakes, and easily sins; whereas, in judging and
taking stock of himself he does something that is always profitable.
We frequently judge that things are as we wish
them to be, for through personal feeling true perspective is easily
lost.
If God were the sole object of our desire, we
should not be disturbed so easily by opposition to our opinions. But
often something lurks within or happens from without to draw us along
with it.
Many, unawares, seek themselves in the things
they do. They seem even to enjoy peace of mind when things happen
according to their wish and liking, but if otherwise than they desire,
they are soon disturbed and saddened. Differences of feeling and
opinion often divide friends and acquaintances, even those who are
religious and devout.
An old habit is hard to break, and no one is
willing to be led farther than he can see.
If you rely more upon your intelligence or
industry than upon the virtue of submission to Jesus Christ, you will
hardly, and in any case slowly, become an enlightened man. God wants
us to be completely subject to Him and, through ardent love, to rise
above all human wisdom. |
On avoiding rash judgment
Look well unto thyself, and
beware that thou judge not the doings of others. In judging others a
man laboureth in vain; he often erreth, and easily falleth into sin;
but in judging and examining himself he always laboureth to good
purpose. According as a matter toucheth our fancy, so oftentimes do
we judge of it; for easily do we fail of true judgment because of our
own personal feeling. If God were always the sole object of our
desire, we should the less easily be troubled by the erring judgment
of our fancy.
2. But often some secret thought
lurking within us, or even some outward circumstance, turneth us
aside. Many are secretly seeking their own ends in what they do, yet
know it not. They seem to live in good peace of mind so long as
things go well with them, and according to their desires, but if their
desires be frustrated and broken, immediately they are shaken and
displeased. Diversity of feelings and opinions very often brings
about dissensions between friends, between countrymen, between
religious and godly men.
3. Established custom is not
easily relinquished, and no man is very easily led to see with the
eyes of another. If thou rest more upon thy own reason or experience
than upon the power of Jesus Christ, thy light shall come slowly and
hardly; for God willeth us to be perfectly subject unto Himself, and
all our reason to be exalted by abundant love towards Him. |