Be Curious, Not Judgmental
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24).
One of my absolute favorite tv shows is Ted Lasso. So many pearls of wisdom are put out there by the main character of the show. There was one episode that dealt with judging someone when you don’t really know them. Ted gives another individual advice about judging others. His words were a quote that is thought to be a quote from Walt Whitman, “Be curious, not judgmental.”
The scene was set in an English pub where we find Ted dealing with another gentleman who has formed his opinion of Ted based on the fact that Ted, who was hired to coach a soccer team, has no resume in coaching a soccer team. Note that Ted is an American in England, and his coaching resume is in American football. So, the Englishman then judges Ted to be incapable of coaching their brand of football.
Judgement comes from a sense of certainty. When we are sure that we are right about something or a topic. Certainty doesn’t allow room for any other considerations for understanding, we simply hold tight to our certainty.
I searched for a character in scripture to apply this story too. I think we can make this judgement point using the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. Jesus said, “No one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus basically said to Jesus that His statement made no sense. He said, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?”
Nicodemus was conditioned by teachings, years of experience, and the beliefs established in his culture regarding God’s kingdom. He was quick to judge Jesus’ statement based on his biases. I think if Nicodemus was more like Ted, his remark might have gone like this, “I like what You’re saying Jesus, but can You express that in another way that I might understand more fully?”
Nicodemus does move beyond his certainty, or knowledge-based bias. After Jesus’ crucifixion,
Nicodemus provided the customary embalming spices, and assisted Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial (John 19, John 19:39–42).
This statement I’ve heard demonstrates my point - When certainty says, “If people would just work harder, they wouldn’t be poor”; curiosity would ask, “I wonder what the person’s life has been like?”.
Lord, I pray today You will grant me Your wisdom to have the curiosity to understand other people. Help me to judge by Your measure and use me to help build Your kingdom here in this place. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.