Posted on 09/06/2021 12:03:33 PM PDT by rebuildus
I visited an old friend over the weekend. We had not talked for far too long a time. He gave me some sound advice–it was about me.
We were discussing someone who was a mutual friend, and who’d wronged me. Even though I knew it was wrong to carry resentment towards my former friend for what he had done, nevertheless, I have been unable to completely shake that resentment.
In a nutshell, my friend told me something I thought I already knew–that even if my former friend was 100% wrong–I AM WRONG FOR CONTINUING TO RESENT HIM FOR IT!
That statement took away my excuses for acting in a childish way while I walk in an adult’s body.
I felt like I had been backed into a corner, and exposed.
And funny, accepting my friend’s statement caused a freeing, and yet something else inside me was not happy about it at all. I sat with that last night until I went to bed.
There is still something inside fighting this truth, but yet in a way, it feels like the lance has already pierced the dragon.
All that’s left now is allowing the truth to settle inside.
My sin is judging.
Sure, I can look back and see where this started. My mother was a judger, and my father–though certainly not a bad man, was someone who–like many in his Great Depression / World War II generation–struggled with internal conflicts routinely drowned with unfiltered cigarettes, alcohol, bad food, and the trivial news of the day.
The judger needs the failure (real or perceived) of the “bad” actor to feed the judgment!
When I’m at the gym, I notice something inside me judging everyone I see–whether it’s the lifters who curse like sailors, or someone who acts “too strong” or “too weak.” It doesn’t matter–they can’t win. The judger needs its food!
Traumas and Judging While talking with my old friend this weekend, we began to explore how myself and others that we know have been hypnotized by hypnotic techniques presented as “meditation.” That hypnotic state leads to judgment–because in this state, we operate out of a type of automated response, instead of reason.
But my traumas–and by extension, my judgment–indeed started long ago. Hating the judger (mother), or hating the “bad actor” (father)–awakened that original trauma / hypnotic condition, which converted me into being a judger.
Trauma / judgment caused me to judge others as either worse or better than me. In those I judged to be somehow “better” than me, it caused me to become a follower, which set me up to be used by people who placed themselves (and whom I placed) in a “leader” position.
The Way Out It’s a tangled web we become part of, but the only way I have found to become freer (with the hope of complete freedom) is to be willing to acknowledge the truth when it presents itself. I still believe in meditation–but today I practice a simple form of stillness that is almost formless, and thus kept close to reality and hard to screw up! I deal with this topic in more depth in THIS POST.
My old friend helped this process along this weekend, and I am eternally grateful.
As I slowly accept responsibility for MY actions, the leader inside is emerging, and the follower fades. This is something I have always wanted, and it is heartening to see it come forward.
It starts with admitting we are wrong for judging others, even if they have done wrong to us. This is not a new concept. It is the basis of Christianity, and many others who don’t consider themselves Christians subscribe to it too.
Letting go of our pride, and asking God to help us do this, is the ticket back to LIFE. I see my life returning. I hope you maintain or regain your life too.
Patrick Rooney is the Founder of OldSchoolUs.com. He communicates clearly and fearlessly during perilous times about natural health, success, and freedom. To reach Patrick, email him at info@oldschoolus.com.
I think it sometimes sinful not to judge behaviors that are destructive or evil in themselves. It is the person we are not to judge. Hate sin, love sinner?
Classic!
“Except that a great portion of the Bible is a text book on how to judge people, situations, etc.”
Recognizing sin is not judgement. It is awareness.
“Humblegunner, America needs you and your writings. You seriously need to consider putting out a blog. It would be a hit. And you could post excerpts here so we all could read and enjoy your writings. Consider it.”
I second that... Best post of the day...
Classic!
“Several times Jesus stated, “I have not come to judge, but to save.”
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And your point is?”
If you have to ask, you need to pray on it for an answer within yourself.
We are in the trouble we are today because we are not judging to high standards and holding our selves to the same high standards.
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Well and truly said and every word of it. Saying we shouldn’t judge is like saying we shouldn’t breathe! It’s simply nonsense yammered by people who despise being judged and who are too spineless to render judgments!
My definition of sin is anything that creates an obstacle to Love in a person’s soul. This is why the wound is greater if you know that you did wrong.
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Your entire post is utter nonsense!
Well sure I can. Just did.
Didn't you see?
They said they were a believer
And I say I'm Peter Gunn. Doesn't make it true, does it?
“GET REAL!”
Methinks you’re confusing “being judgemental” of your fellow man with discernment and wisdom.
I’m as real as the day is long, 24/7. What you see is what you get. Now bugger off.
If Jesus wasn’t here to judge, what gives us the idea that it’s okay for US to do it?
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What was Jesus doing when he tossed the money changers out of the Temple? Scripture is filled with passages describing Jesus and everyone else making judgments. Just to bring you into the real world, the acceptance of right or wrong is ALWAYS based on someone’s JUDGMENT!
I sure hope you cleanse that soul before the Holy Spirit turns you to charcoal.
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Hilarious! You just made a judgment (completely conjectural) in your statement!
That explains the state of our courts today. All secular judges.
You can say it all you want, but you don’t know it. You are deceiving yourself or just making statements at other people’s expense.
Either way, that is sinful.
Methinks you’re confusing “being judgemental” of your fellow man with discernment and wisdom.
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Hilarious! What are you doing with that statement, being judgmental or simply being discerning and wise?
Dude’s been banned again.
Really?
“Hilarious!”
You choose as you seem to know it all.
“Really?”
You were a few minutes ago when I checked from another thread.
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