Judgment? Discernment??
Judgment. Discernment. So close yet so
so different—even the dictionary includes discerning in its first definition of judgment!
Judgment: The process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing (Merriam-Webster).
If the
two are so comparable that even the dictionary uses one to define the other, what’s the point of parsing the finer facets
of this word? I mean, isn’t this just an essentially meaningless exercise in
semantics? Absolutely not.
Let’s
begin with how Merriam-Webster defines discernment.
Discernment:
The quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure: skill in discerning.
Now THAT’S
a HUGE difference, and not just in vocabulary.
When we
judge one another, we’re essentially forming an opinion of that person. Maybe
it’s about their character. Maybe it’s about their status. Whatever. It doesn’t
really matter what we choose, because the bottom line is that when we fall into—or
stop with—judgment we are trapped in an opinion, perhaps even a comparison.
Maybe we’re comparing that person with ourselves or maybe with other people or
groups of people. Again, the nature of the judgment isn’t nearly as important
(in my humble opinion) as the fact that judging
is happening!
The
problem is that when we fall prey to the judgment trap, we became ensnared in
things like jealousy, pride, criticism, condemnation, and a we/they or I/you
mindset. The path of judgment leads straight to division and often also either
inferiority or superiority. Not unity. Not compassion. Not freedom.
Perhaps
this is why James 4:12 says “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able
to save and to destroy; but who are you, judging your neighbor?” and why
Jesus warns us in the Sermon on the Mount to be more concerned about the speck
in our own eye than any plank we think we see in someone else’s (see Matthew
7)? Judging isn’t our job. Discerning, however, is.
Discernment doesn’t assume we know the
whole picture. Discernment doesn’t form an opinion and isn’t sourced from or
feeding into pride either. When we discern, we simply perceiving, or receiving,
a revelation from the Lord, a revelation that has been released to us directly
from God’s heart of love. When we stand firm in discernment, we operate from
God’s mercy, kindness, and compassion which overcomes our all-too-human
predisposition to the counterfeit trap of judgment. When we operate in Holy
Spirit-inspired discernment, we receive and perceive for the purpose of breakthrough in that person’s life. Discernment
will seek blessing, unity, and restoration and does not rejoice in someone else’s
foibles or potential fall-outs from them. There may be consequences, but
instead of rejoicing over someone “getting what was coming to them,” grief is
the response.
So, yes, judgment and discernment both
involve perceiving, but the heart posture, response, and ultimate end result
are literally dark vs. light. Fleshy judgment is a slippery vortex that leads
to bondage and division. But Holy Spirit-empowered discernment? THAT results in
the release of mercy, kindness, wholeness, breakthrough, and FREEDOM. My
friends, let’s lean into His presence and heart so we aren’t tricked by the
counterfeit.
“Discernment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, 17 Aug. 2024, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discernment. Accessed 26 August
2024.
“Judgment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/judgment.
Accessed 26 August 2024.