Condemning, how easy it occurs
In ways that people consider Ok or normal, even considered as justified..
THEREFORE thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
There are many ways to condemn, but here I wish to relate to you one of the easiest and normal ways it is done, so you and others can recognize it. Here is an example.
A person sees something he/she believes is wrong, evil, wicked, etc. Then by that perception and judgment, he/she treats the other poorly or horribly. Even to continue with the treatment because the presence of such a person is offensive to them. They do this in many ways, some of which is to speak down to them, or berate them, or repeatedly chastise them, constantly calling them sinners, even to complain about them. They tell or gossip to others of how that person is horrible. Such behaviour can also manifest in verbal attacks against that person.
That is an example of the continued exercise of condemnation, where the judgment is imposed upon others in the treatment of them. The treatment goes beyond any address of the current act or situation, for this condemnation is a "judgement of the person". We are not to judge the person in life, we can only judge the act and only if that judgement is based in God's principles of righteousness, but this judgement does not impose penalty to the person at all, unless you are in the position of rightful authority over that person, as a parent. To relate this in a family atmosphere consider another example.
A daughter comes home late, so she is called a whore. She is treated badly because this is viewed as righteous and part of discipline or punishment. Even using God's scripture to justify the judgment of who she, going beyond any act she had done.
In that example, the parent overstepped his/her place in the act of judgement to degrade his/her own child rather than properly address any wrong that had occurred. In that example, the only visible wrong was coming home late, and the judgement and act from it was overabound. A child who suffers this kind of condemnation may well suffer that condemnation all her life until she takes steps to overcome it. This would make such a condemnation like a "curse". When God gives a curse, there is a way out of it through him, by repentance and obedience. For a mortal to curse another, as in these types of condemnations, there is no provision to a way out, because to instill condemnation and this curse is done in an evil way. Such evil does not care of forgiveness or mercy. Yet, if a person cares much about forgiveness and mercy, they would not condemn or curse.
Let us take a look at the workplace
A fellow employee speaks against you behind your back. As a result, you feel offended. In return, you then treat that employee badly or with disdain, even murmuring behind his/her back, even to undermine the work of them.
That is an unrighteous condemnation. Taking this to an occurrence in life itself, even with a stranger.
A person behaves wrongly to you or your a witness to it. You verbally attack that person, and / or continue to talk ill of him/her as you part ways.
(In a more general sense)
You dislike someone and you speak ill or foul words about him/her or toward their name, even toward their image.
To condemn people is actually quite easy. It does follow judgment, even if that judgment and condemnation is in your mind and heart, while outwardly you say nothing. For if a person can commit adultery in their heart (Matt. 5:28 ), then by that same principle, condemnation can also occur the same way. When God instructs and teaches us his truth, he does so with the intent to keep us from undo suffering, let alone wickedness. If you read Romans 2:1, It refers to the act of judgment, where the person who judges, will also receive the same judgment in return and even live that judgment in their own lives. To add condemnation, is an additional suffering people cause themselves, and to others of course, by the same principle in Romans 2:1.
Please consider what God said to us in his "second most important" commandment,
and other obvious truths God gave to us to live by as follows,
"Treat your enemy with kindness and goodness always" - (Prov. 24:17 / Prov. 25:21/ Matt 5:43-44)
This does not mean you condone wrong behaviour, neither support it. There are proper times to speak rightly to address wrong things, but address them with properness, wisdom and humbleness in act. The Lord teaches, reprove when appropriate, if it is our place that we can reprove (DC 121:43 / Eph. 4:26-27), but immediately love them thereafter, least they become angry at you and turn against you.
Even if others are not of your beliefs, we must remember that no person, in general, sits as a judge or authority over others. WE see this far too often in the world, where a person has some power due to political position or by way of wealth, and he or she acts as if they stand as a "power" over others when no such power was given to them, or have misused the power that was given to them in the manner of "unrighteous dominion". (DC 121:39)
Jesus Christ showed us the proper example of how to act, even with authority. He was the "Son of God" incarnate, who had power and authority from the Father to stand in judgement over others on this earth, and that power he will exercise in the last days, but when he stood on this earth, even with his power and authority, he never mistreated anyone. Even when he reproved, he stood "beside" the person, as a true leader of gospel principles.
The Lord gave his words of wisdom and direction because he sees what we do and the results before we do. He sees how we sow, and what we will truly reap. In his love for us, no matter the denomination, the Lord gives us truth and even commandments for us to follow, that we may offset the unnecessary hardship and sore suffering we cause to ourselves and others. His apostles of old failed to forgive each other, and has the Bible shows, they have suffered sorely because of it. (2 Corinthians -Chapter 2).
The Lord's first and second commandments are not idle words. As the Lord sees how our mortal and carnal minds, we need to remember these words of God in the following passages - 2 Ne. 9:39 / Rom 8:7 / 1 Cor 2:14, that we easily fail to comprehend truth, let alone fail to exercise it. - (If you wish to read an article from the LDS library, from the life of Hebert J. Grant, on forgiving others, please click this link - Forgiving Others - Hebert J. Grant )
Forgive others, even in your own family. Love others as you would have them extend love to you. Treat others with kindness, always in honesty, integrity and truth. In the face of error or wickedness, stand strong and humble in the Lord's truth and gospel, but never condemn others, for each of us who are faithful to the Lord, are examples of his people, and his kingdom. The Lord's kingdom of order, is based on his eternal truths and love, as spoken in his gospel and by his Spirit. Do as God told us, obey him, his words, sayings and proverbs, for there is very good reason for it.
Mark Warbinek
