“Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem. And he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers. He appointed judges in the land.., city by city, and said to the judges, ‘Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.’
“Moreover, in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed certain Levites and priests and heads of families of Israel, to give judgment for the Lord and to decide disputed cases. They had their seat at Jerusalem. And he charged them: ‘Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart: whenever a case comes to you from your brothers.., concerning bloodshed, law or commandment, statutes or rules, then you shall warn them, that they may not incur guilt before the Lord and wrath may not come upon you and your brothers. Thus you shall do, and you will not incur guilt… Deal courageously, and may the Lord be with the upright!’” 2 Chronicles 19:4-10,11c
Jehoshaphat set the standard for good judgment. While man can be swayed by emotion and prejudice, God’s way is to judge by fearing Him and according to His law. The goal is always to uphold God’s honor and the people’s righteousness.
In the flesh, we tend to judge with jaded assumptions. We assess according to preferences. We criticize others to elevate ourselves, out of feelings of insecurity or haughty superiority. We can expect the worst, look for the worst, and slather the worst on others thinking we make ourselves look good.
To train in good judgment we must first check motive: Do I want the best for people? Is my passion for ruin or redemption? Do I act to tear down or protect? Am I judging to elevate myself or esteem the Lord? Once our hearts are set to seek the Lord, we must be sure our thinking is aligned with His word. (Psalm 119:66)
How well do we know what He has to say about current issues? About practical things like lying, treatment of the poor and stranger, borrowing and spending, sexual morality? What do we invest of time and attention to become acquainted with His laws so we can rightly uphold them? How willing are we to surrender personal opinion and feelings to God’s inerrant character and true, unchanging word? (Zechariah 7:9; Romans 12:1-2; Hebrews 5:14)
And before sitting in judgment on another, are we circumspect to consider carefully ourselves? When we espy a fault or grievance elsewhere, how are we guilty of the same? Pure desire will yield the Spirit‘s conviction. Only a clean eye can see clearly. (Matthew 7:1-5; John 16:8)
“Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.” ~Mary Byrne (translated old Irish 1905)
Lord, develop in me good and righteous judgment that mimics Yours so my actions and words honor You.
As the rain and snow 