Are The Words Discrimination and Judging Getting a Bad Rap?

When I think of the word discrimination I think of an old expression “He is a man of discriminating taste” meaning he is able to determine the quality of something. Other Words for discriminating are judging or discerning. The problem comes when you unfairly judge or discriminate. God calls us to Judge and Discern what is right in His eyes from what is wrong in His eyes. Martin Luther King said “Don’t judge me by the color of my skin but by the quality of my character. Notice he is saying it is OK to judge me but do it fairly. One of the most quoted messages about judging is: Matthew 7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? In other words,  Eric Clapton’s song with the lyrics “Before you accuse me take a look at yourself” So we should be careful and not unfairly judge people but we should still discern righteous behavior from sin. Jesus said first to love God with all of your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself. In short we are all sinners and fall short. Read the scriptures and seek guidance and discernment from the Holy Spirit to judge good from evil behaviors. Judge the sin but love the sinner. Confess your sin to Jesus and receive his mercy and forgiveness. If you are unwilling to judge and discern what is good and evil in God’s eyes how can you confess the sin and ask for forgiveness? Here are several scriptures instructing us to discern.

Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

Genesis 41:33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.

2 Samuel 14:17 “And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king secure my inheritance, for my lord the king is like an angel of God in discerning good and evil. May the Lord your God be with you.’”

1 Kings 3:9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

1 Kings 3:12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—

Proverbs 8:9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

Proverbs 10:13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

Proverbs 14:6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known.

Proverbs 15:14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.

Proverbs 17:10A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.

Proverbs 17:24A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

Proverbs 19:25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge. A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.

Proverbs 28:11 The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.

Daniel 2:21  He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Hosea 14:9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

1 Corinthians 11:29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.

1 Corinthians 11:31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.