Have you heard the one about the three college guys who started using girl’s pictures (without their consent) on line to allow everyone to judge their appearance from 1 to 10? No, they weren’t derided as misogynists. No, they weren’t castigated in the media. The guys turned it into a public company and were rewarded with a $340 billion market capitalization. Billionaires were made from playing into people’s natural inclination to judge and be judged.
In 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer genius Mark Zuckerberg began work on an idea he had that eventually turned into the global social network known as Facebook. The original concept centered around posting photos of female students and allowing site visitors to rate their attractiveness. We’ve been judging and being judged since the beginning of time. In 2016 you can become rich, famous or castigated for judging. The difference may ironically lie in how others judge you.
Research shows that within 3 seconds a first impression is formed. Once that impression becomes an opinion, it’s very difficult to change. In turn, opinions are formed from your physical looks, posture, mannerisms, how you dress, tone of voice, pace of speech and a litany of other attributes. All within seconds to a few minutes, an impression is formed and too often a judgement is made from the opinion.
Although impressions and opinions may happen quickly, judgement should be given time. If for no other reason than things change. Without the benefit of time to see a full body of work, quick judgement can be rash, harsh and too often, wrong. A slanted post on Facebook, a rumor spread on a website, or a flippant comment can make you pass a quick judgement. We need to slow down. James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Sounds like advice your parents should have given you.
Opinions and impressions come naturally. We all want people to view us favorably. We should give others the benefit of doubt as well. Favoritism and judgement may come as naturally as breathing, but they can be a slippery slope. And, they can change over time.
James grew up in the house with Jesus. They had a different dad but they were family. James penned the first book of the Bible written after Christ died. A lifetime of being around Jesus and he didn’t really buy into his brothers deity until AFTER Jesus rose from the dead. Seeing someone walk and talk after 3 days without a pulse can change your judgement of them.
James hit the issues of HIS day AND ours head on. He bluntly spoke the truth and didn’t mince words with fellow believers. “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism” James 2:1. When you have favorites or a litmus test and preconceptions about people, you “discriminate among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts.”
In Matthew 7:1-2 the letters in red say, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” That should be reason for caution. Don’t be quick to judge how someone looks, their politics, sexuality, religious beliefs, or character because of their financial means… you name it. It’s not how you judge things to be as much as the fact that you MAKE yourself the judge…and jury.
It takes one to know one. Everyone who has chosen to read this far has the vein of judgmentalism in them. The people who didn’t want to read on this subject have the same inclinations but maybe the subject felt too much like a mirror. We are ALL guilty of judging but not wanting to be judged. It comes natural. We are wired to judge. But like most of our wiring, it’s what we DO with it that matters the most.
How can we be so quick to judge others without looking long and hard into the mirror? Jesus got down and dirty in Luke 6:42. “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Hypocrisy is alive and well in 2016. I’m afraid judgement is like a wildfire out of control.
Facebook is but one example where we try to CONTROL people’s impressions and judgements. In a world where everyone is so quick and harsh in their judgement, I get it! We don’t post our problems, our shortcomings, our bad pictures. If we did, people might not judge us the way we want to be judged. For starters, maybe we should stop judging others hearts and minds.
How can I truly judge people I haven’t spent time with? And as James proved, how can I know my judgement is right? I can’t…and if I do, I’d better make sure I can stand up to the same measure of judging. “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgement seat.” Romans 14:10.
Let’s wrap it up with a little more common sense from James. “Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it…There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you- who are you to judge your neighbor?”
It may come naturally to form a quick impression and opinion. It may be popular to express them on Facebook or in conversation. But, it may not be the wisest thing to do.
Don’t let a pretty picture deceive you. Don’t let a bad thought misdirect your impression. Be careful to not let a past opinion block your understanding. Reserve your judgement for the test of time. Be slow to judge.