Judgment

[DISCLAIMER]

Throughout my life, I’ve heard many misinterpretations of biblical messages. As an example, I’ve listened to plenty of people say something along the lines of, “Only the man upstairs can judge me.” Presuming these people refer to Yahweh (“God”), the Creator isn’t a man.

Still, there are members related to some sects of the Judeo-Christian faith I once practiced who maintain the concept of a polytheistic God. Whereas there’s God the Father, there is also thought to exist God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Yeshua (“Jesus”) is thus conceptualized as a demigod (more power than a mortal, but less than a god). Therefore, I can understand the rationale behind a misinterpretation of Jesus (God in human form, as an adult human male: man) serving as one who is capable of upstairs judgment.

Still, I suspect that I’m giving some individuals a little too much credit regarding their line of thinking. Most often I hear people claiming, “Only God can judge me,” pertaining to God the Father—a monotheistic concept without inclusion of Yeshua of the Holy Spirit.

For instance, on his classic 1996 album All Eyez on Me, the late legendary rapper 2Pac released a track entitled “Only God Can Judge Me” that featured a rapper from the San Francisco Bay Area by the name of Rappin’ 4-Tay. In the introduction of the song, 2Pac stated:

Only God can judge me (That right?)

Only God can judge me now

Nobody else (Nobody else)

All you other motherfuckers get out my business (Really)

Only God can judge me now

One imagines that the deceased rapper wasn’t familiar with biblical versus which state that it’s Yeshua and not Yahweh who will serve as the judge of mankind (i.e., Act 10:42, Psalm 98:9, Matthew 25:31-32, etc.) It’s clear that some people simply haven’t read the Bible.

One needs to look no further than John 5:22 that states, “Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,” to understand the misinterpretation of 2Pac and others. (What’s truly impressive is when people receive tattoos of this misunderstood knowledge.)

Perhaps equally as amusing to me is when I’ve heard Christians saying that they aren’t instructed to engage in judgment (the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing). I can understand how one would confuse this matter, as I was also once mistaken.

Matthew 7:1 states, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” However, the “or” in that passage affords one the possibility of judgement, as indicated in Matthew 7:2, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Additionally, John 7:24 states, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” Contrary to what I’ve heard espoused by others, the Bible encourages Christians to judge actions or behavior, with a focus on restoration as well as personal responsibility and accountability.

Long since subscribing to dogmatic religious practices, I retain reverence for the wisdom attained from once having been a Christian. Now that I practice Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I retain a foundation of understanding carried over from my former faith.

For instance, when practicing the ABC model while disputing one’s irrational beliefs which cause unpleasant consequences (i.e., cognitive, emotive, sensational, and behavioral), I comprehend the distinction between judgment of beliefs or behavior, and that of the person.

Similarly, when practicing unconditional acceptance, I recognize each and every person as a mere fallible human being. Rather than harshly judging people, I keep in mind my own fallibility while practicing grace—disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency.

As well, considering that REBT theory is infused with Stoic philosophy, I understand that judgment in this regard relates to the internal process of evaluation and interpretation which shapes one’s emotional and behavioral responses to events, rather than the events themselves.

For example, REBT theory recognizes global evaluation as the process whereby a person unnecessarily and severely judges oneself, others, and life. Perhaps I may unhelpfully believe, “If I can’t communicate effectively in this blogpost, then I’m worthless as a psychotherapist.”

About this unhelpful process, one REBT source discourages such evaluation and states, “If you still want to rate yourself, judge yourself against conditions that do not change in your lifetime, think of yourself as worthwhile because you are human, alive, unique and constantly changing.”

Ergo, judgement isn’t something from which REBT practitioners abstain. Rather, we’re encouraged to judge rationally (in accordance with both logic and reason) rather than irrationally. Thus, I know that I’m not worthless when communicating ineffectively.

Herein, I’ve made a case against misinterpretation of biblical wisdom while also advocating Stoic judgement in the interest of rational living. If you’d like to know more about my approach to REBT, which is informed by a faith-based background, I look forward to hearing from you.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, fair use

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