Scriptural Analogies for Judging Thoughts and Attitudes
Scripture employs various analogies to describe the process of judging thoughts and attitudes, often highlighting the internal nature of such judgments and their ultimate consequences. The Bible frequently contrasts righteous thoughts with wicked intentions, emphasizing that God discerns the heart.
One significant analogy is found in Proverbs 12:5, which states, "The thoughts of the righteous are judgments, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful" [3]. The "thoughts" here refer to purposes or intentions, and for the righteous, these are described as "true decisions" or sound judgments [5]. In contrast, the "counsels" of the wicked are characterized by deceit, indicating a fundamental difference in their internal motivations and plans [5]. This distinction underscores that the moral quality of a person's inner life is reflected in their thoughts and intentions. The Lord is said to know "the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain," as cited in 1 Corinthians 3:20, drawing from Psalm 94:11 [7]. This suggests that even seemingly wise human thoughts can be empty when viewed from God's perspective.
The concept of judgment also extends to the conscience. A conscience can be described as "dead" or functioning "wickedly," leading to judgments that contradict gospel truth [8]. This implies that the internal faculty for moral discernment can become corrupted, affecting one's ability to rightly assess thoughts and attitudes.
The New Testament also speaks of believers judging the world and even angels, indicating a future role in discerning spiritual and moral matters [4]. This responsibility suggests that Christians should be capable of resolving their own disagreements, even over minor issues, by exercising sound judgment [4]. The apostle Paul appeals to believers' "own powers of judgment" to weigh arguments, emphasizing that individuals cannot divest themselves of the responsibility of judging for themselves, though he cautions against its abuse [6].
Furthermore, the Bible uses the analogy of "measures" to describe fairness and justice, particularly in commercial dealings, but this can be extended to the internal assessment of thoughts and actions. Unjust measures are an "abomination to God" [2], implying that internal standards of judgment should also align with divine righteousness. The concept of "example" is also used, with Christ serving as the ultimate example for believers, and pastors for their flocks, in how to live and, by extension, how to think and judge [1]. This highlights the importance of having a proper model for internal and external conduct.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Example — Of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Measures — Unjust, an abomination to God -- Pr 20:10. The Jews not to be unjust in -- Le 19:35; De 25:14,15. The Jews often used unjust -- Mic 6:10. Of liquids and solids Log. -- Le 14:10,15. Cab. -- 2Ki 6:25. Omer or tenth-deal (the tenth of an ephah). -- Ex 16:36; Le 5:11; 14:10. Hin. -- Ex 29:40. Bath or ephah. -- Isa 5:10; Eze 45:11. Homer or Cor. -- Isa 5:10; Eze 45:14. Firkin. -- Joh 2:6. Of length Handbreadth. -- Ex 25:25; Ps 39:5. Span. -- Ex 28:16; 1Sa 17:4. Cubit. -- Ge 6:15,16; De 3:11. Fathom. -- Ac 27:28. Furlong. -- Lu 24:13; Joh 11:13. Mile. -- Mt 5:41”
- Proverbs “Cogitationes justorum judicia, et consilia impiorum fraudulenta. -- Proverbs 12:5”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 6:2: 6:2-3 Someday we believers will judge the world—and even angels—as associates of the Son of Man, who is the ultimate Judge of all people (cp. Dan 7:13, 22, 27; Matt 19:28; John 5:27; Acts 17:31; Rev 3:21; 20:4). In light of this responsibility, Christians should be able to settle their disagreements over comparatively little things.”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 12:5: thoughts--or, "purposes." are right--literally, "are judgment," that is, true decisions. counsels--(Compare Pro 11:14). deceit--contrary to truth and honesty.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:20: And again,.... Not in the same place, nor in the same book, but in the Psalms, in Psa 94:11. This form of citing Scriptures answers to and moreover, used by the Jewish doctors when the matter does not so clearly appear from the first proof, and therefore they produce another (q): and so here the apostle, for the further confirmation and illustration of this point, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, to the testimony of Eliphaz, adds this of David, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain; in the Psalms it is, "the Lord ”
- 1 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Timothy 4:2: 4:2 Consciences that are dead either don’t function or function wickedly, rendering judgments that oppose the truth of the gospel (see also Titus 1:15; Rom 1:28-32).”