Scriptural Rambling: Seeking Righteous Judgments

Recently, I had an interesting understanding that I was reminded of while reading scriptures concerning judging others, that I wanted to share. I'm not directing it at anyone. I just felt like sharing.

Christ speaks about it in The New Testament:

• "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged" (Matthew 7:1-2; see also Luke 6:37).
• "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgments" (John 7:24).
• "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true" (John 8:15-16).

However, I was reading in The Book of Mormon where Moroni says, "The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil" (Moroni 7:16). Of course, Moroni is in the middle of discussing how to not be persuaded to take good for evil or evil for good. He is instructing on making righteous judgments -- that is, in a godly moral sense, righteousness/goodness is right, and unrighteousness/wickedness is wrong. "Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God" (Moroni 7:12). "For...my [Christ's] Spirit...persuadeth men to do good. And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good" (Ether 4:11-12). "And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is" (Moroni 10:6).

Moroni continues in verse 18 of that 7th chapter: "And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged."

My understanding is that part of this is because we tend to judge the world and others as we are ourselves, or as we see ourselves -- our lens, if you will. If we are blinded by this, we only wrongfully judge others by not truly seeing them, often judging them as we are. Then, we will be judged by those who see truthfully in the light that we have wrongfully judged others -- brought to light to them by the light of Christ. Maintain the light and Spirit of Christ and you will make righteous judgments. This same principle works for non-religious folk, even if they have not used it in this terminology. Seeing others truthfully, making righteous judgments, is from having the light and Spirit of Christ in your life, for Christ did say, "If I judge, my judgment is true" (John 8:16).

"If I judge..." Be open. Not everything or everyone requires conclusions immediately, if ever. In fact, understanding requires patience. Live openly, and love others. Be as humble and teachable as a curious child. Referencing back to our individual lens, we must expand our vision and view, perpetually growing and stretching ourselves, though not compromising the significance of our individuality.

What of wrongful judgments made from fear (such as jealousy) and misunderstanding? These are also contrary to the Spirit of Christ, which is love. Love alleviates fear¹ (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18). Other Christlike qualities, as faith and hope, also help. Step forward and ask in faith, having a hope you will receive an answer, and it shall be given to you, that your misunderstandings will become understandings and righteous judgments (Alma 22:16; Moroni 7:42; Ether 12:12; Matthew 21:21-22, 9:29).

Seek and ye shall find; ask and it shall be given you. Nothing is off-limits (Matthew 7:7-11; James 1:5-6; Moroni 10:4-7; 3 Nephi 18:20). This was reiterated time and time again with my work in The Artist's Way, as well as the responsibility of then acting on an answer:

"'Leap, and the net will appear.' It is my experience both as an artist and as a teacher that when we move out on faith into the act of creation, the universe is able to advance. ... If there is a responsive creative force that does hear us and act on our behalf, then we may really be able to do some things. The jig, in short, is up: God knows that the sky's the limit. ... Answered prayers are scary. They imply responsibility" (2, 63-64, 62). 

I've sought guidance many times for my art, my own understanding, and my personal life. As I pray intently with an open heart, I feel a powerful peace and a loving presence near. My prayers are going somewhere, and someone, God, my Heavenly Father, is listening. He answers. He lightens my burdens. He speaks peace and knowledge to my mind as I listen and ponder, afterward. It works. I promise.

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¹This is supported in The Artist's Way, though directed at blocked artists: "Fear is what blocks... There is only one cure for fear. That cure is love. Use love...to cure...fear. Stop yelling... Be nice" (151, 152).