Judgment and Self-Awareness

Today, I found myself judging another person’s actions. Although his work was good and acceptable, I believed I could do it better and more efficiently. However, I was soon reminded of a quote from Carl Jung that directly addressed this type of judgment:

“If there is anything we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could be better changed in ourselves.”

This is not to say that the person I judged is a child, but rather that the act of judging requires self-reflection. As Bill Wilson wisely stated:

“It is a spiritual axiom that every time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us.” – Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (p. 90)

Simply put, our reactions often reflect our own internal struggles rather than external circumstances.

The Power of Self-Reflection

Regularly reassessing our judgments leads to personal growth and a deeper understanding of others. Aristotle captured this idea concisely:

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

When I take the time to examine the causes of my judgments, I open the door to acceptance or, better yet, new and improved ways of thinking and doing things that I had not previously considered.

A Scriptural Perspective on Judgment

The Bible offers profound wisdom on the nature of judgment and self-awareness. In Luke 6:41-42, Jesus teaches:

“Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? How can you say, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while you yourself fail to see the beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

John 7:24 further instructs us:

“Judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgment.”

This teaches us that true discernment requires looking beyond superficial judgments and seeking deeper understanding.

Guidance from Modern Prophets

Elder Dean L. Larsen emphasized the necessity of self-examination, stating:

“All of us must come to an honest, open self-examination, an awareness within as to who and what we want to be.”

Similarly, Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained that the Final Judgment evaluates “the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become,” underscoring the importance of continuous self-assessment.

A Shift from Judgment to Growth

In the end, I am left with a new process—not one of judgment, but of learning. Rather than focusing on others’ actions, I strive to understand what led me to judge in the first place and how I can use that insight to become a better person.

By shifting from judgment to self-awareness, we create opportunities for personal growth, compassion, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and those around us.