The Master Teacher warned, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged, for with what judgment you judge you will be judged and with what measure you measure you will be measured.” (Matthew 7:1,2, McCord.) All judging, however, is not prohibited, for Jesus also taught, “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24.)
How then do we determine whether – and when – judgment is justified? When is criticism in order? Perhaps a few personal questions will help:
What would Jesus do?
All too often the difference between constructive criticism and the more damaging, toxic kind is no more than a matter of perception, depending upon whether we are on the giving or receiving end.