The more one judges, the less one loves. Honoré de Balzac
When we place ourselves in a position of judging others because they don't have the same views (political), beliefs (religious), lifestyles, careers, fashion sense, etc then we also place ourselves in a position of loving others less. There isn't room for judgement and love. One overpowers the other and when we give in to judging we have chosen to leave love behind. There are times when this is more evident than others. Times like election season, when controversial topics are highlighted because of a tragedy, etc.
There is a huge difference between opinion and judgement. We cross over from holding an opinion to judging when we engage in pompous behavior, mocking others who hold differing views/opinions, using foul language to get our point across, and treating others with derision because they don't agree with us. We silently turn to judgement when we feel the need to use social media to post pictures, comments, etc that support our point of view but treat others like they are stupid because they don't agree. None of this points to loving but all of it points to judging.
Does any of this strike a nerve with you? All of us have been, and may currently be, guilty of judging and not loving. If a nerve has been struck then don't ignore it. Pay attention to it and examine yourself. How can you move away from judging and back toward holding a differing opinion but loving others in spite of it? I know I have had to examine myself, over and over, in this area. I want to be known as a person who loves, most especially when others hold different opinions than I do. I don't want to be known as a judgmental person who doesn't have regard for others just because there is a different opinion. It matters how I speak to others, on social media or otherwise, it matters how I treat others, on social media or otherwise, it matters how I think about others, on social media or otherwise. All of those ways will tell others if I love more and judge less or the other way around. I want my life to be marked by love, a love that overpowers judgment.
When we place ourselves in a position of judging others because they don't have the same views (political), beliefs (religious), lifestyles, careers, fashion sense, etc then we also place ourselves in a position of loving others less. There isn't room for judgement and love. One overpowers the other and when we give in to judging we have chosen to leave love behind. There are times when this is more evident than others. Times like election season, when controversial topics are highlighted because of a tragedy, etc.
There is a huge difference between opinion and judgement. We cross over from holding an opinion to judging when we engage in pompous behavior, mocking others who hold differing views/opinions, using foul language to get our point across, and treating others with derision because they don't agree with us. We silently turn to judgement when we feel the need to use social media to post pictures, comments, etc that support our point of view but treat others like they are stupid because they don't agree. None of this points to loving but all of it points to judging.
Does any of this strike a nerve with you? All of us have been, and may currently be, guilty of judging and not loving. If a nerve has been struck then don't ignore it. Pay attention to it and examine yourself. How can you move away from judging and back toward holding a differing opinion but loving others in spite of it? I know I have had to examine myself, over and over, in this area. I want to be known as a person who loves, most especially when others hold different opinions than I do. I don't want to be known as a judgmental person who doesn't have regard for others just because there is a different opinion. It matters how I speak to others, on social media or otherwise, it matters how I treat others, on social media or otherwise, it matters how I think about others, on social media or otherwise. All of those ways will tell others if I love more and judge less or the other way around. I want my life to be marked by love, a love that overpowers judgment.
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