As studies and research indicate, judging is a natural human process. Judging and assessing our environment has occurred since the beginning of time. The core of why we judge is to be aware of threats to our individual well-being. Another purpose of judging people, situations, and events is to establish and reinforce values and beliefs.
We constantly judge others based on many variables including the biases we may have for or against an idea, situation or others. We may judge others instead of taking some time to understand situations and events. Judging can include thoughts that our values and beliefs are right and those who do not hold these beliefs are wrong.
Judging is instinctual in the human psyche. It is almost impossible not to judge. In the place of judging, we can apply another process – Discernment.
Judging vs. Discernment
Discerning behaviors are observations we have opportunities to contemplate or express as we use our insight to recognize and distinguish others’ actions or behaviors. In these cases, instead of judging the person we can discern their behavior whether we agree or disagree with those behaviors.
One major difference between judging and discernment is that when judging we are usually branding a person. When discerning it is the behavior or activity of a person that we are weighing as admirable or not admirable.
What is factual is whether we are aware or not, we constantly discern behaviors, activities and situations all of the time.
Discernment can also become a process to learn from others. Actual discernment requires that we actively observe and at times listen to understand a person’s viewpoint. This is the major difference between judging a person and observing a behavior while empathizing with a variety of viewpoints.
During tumultuous times you never know what a person is going through or dealing with in their personal life. Use of discernment is not only exhibiting basic courtesy but can also be vital for communication and understanding between others especially when not recognizing any obvious similarities with another.
