Words said in Love

Stop judging.

1 [a]“Stop judging,[b] that you may not be judged. 2 For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. 3 Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? 5 You hypocrite,[c] remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.-Matthew7:1-5

Is it really difficult to be quiet and just refrain oneself from passing judgment? Nowadays, people demand the freedom to express. However, freedom to express does not necessarily mean being harsh, rude and ruthless in speech. I do not agree that harsh, rude and ruthless speech (or bashing to some) is freedom of speech because real freedom is knowing what to say, how to say it, and saying it with love and respect. It is not an impediment or a hindrance but as a way of exercising responsibly that freedom. I do not agree that freedom of speech is all about what we say only, rather, it has something to do also with the effect it will cause others.

One day I was dining with some friends, and one of us happened to be the cook. One friend said out loud that the food is bland. I shushed her and said that we are only eating, we did not cook, we ought to be thankful for the effort of our other friend to cook, and that the food is still a blessing. But my friend said, "Why? Can't I express an opinion?" I said, "Of course, you can. But you do it while considering the feelings of the other person who exerted effort for us." Yes, there is, I think, a thin line between expressing an opinion and judging others. For me, whether it is sharing an opinion, voicing out one's self, fraternal correction, etc., it should be done with love, respect and concern.

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