Do not judge in order not to be judged
(Matt. 7:1-2)
We often complain nowadays that to live according to God s commandments is a difficult struggle. We think that to be truly Christian we have to fast, pray, give alms and perform other such virtuous acts. And as we ponder over the trouble we have to take to be virtuous and live a life in Christ, we lose heart and give up. Christ, however, suggested a very simple and easy way for us to please Him and avoid condemnation at the Last Judgment, saying: Do not judge in order not to be judged (Matt. 7:1-2).
The following incident is mentioned in the stories of the Desert Fathers (Gerontikon1):
A brother asked Abba Joseph: "What am I to do, Father? I can neither endure hardship for the love of Christ, nor can I work and give alms." The Elder replied to him: "If you cannot do any of these things, at least guard your conscience from negatively judging your brothers, or denigrating them, and you will undoubtedly be saved."2
The aforementioned words of Jesus and the conversation between the two ascetics provide an opportunity to talk about something that constitutes a blight on the spiritual life: malicious gossip and passing judgment on others. This is a matter that concerns everyone, because we find it easy to pass judgment on our brethren's behavior and to vindigate our own. When we do this, we forfeit divine Grace and bring misery upon ourselves, even though by avoiding such judgments we could quite easily live the life in Christ. What follows is based on the lives of our God-bearing Fathers and their venerable counsels.
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1 The Gerontikon (Sayings of the Elders) is a book that contains the sacred deeds and words of Holy Ascetics.
2 The Evergetinos: A Complete Text, vol. III, Etna 2008, p. 10.
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