The lecture speaks about the concept of condemning others from the Orthodox Christian perspective, explaining that when Christ said, “Judge not, that you be not judged,” He did not mean cancelling spiritual discernment or rejecting truth, but rather preventing a person from rushing to judge people and condemn their hearts and intentions.
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that there is a type of condemnation that is not sinful, which is condemnation based on authority, knowledge, and love, such as a father reproving his son, a judge in his judgment, or the Church in confronting heresies and doctrinal errors. This is not condemnation arising from pride or hatred, but from spiritual responsibility and concern for the salvation of souls.
The teaching also distinguishes between judging the action and judging the person. Recognizing that an act is wrong is a natural discernment placed by God in the conscience of man, but judging the person himself and considering him absolutely evil is dangerous, because a person does not know the circumstances of others, their intentions, or their inner weakness.
The lecture confirms that spiritual rebuke may sometimes be a duty, but it must be done in a spirit of love, humility, and compassion, not with humiliation or superiority. Private advice is also better than public rebuke, except in cases where the sin is public and affects the whole community.
Then His Holiness explains the different types of condemnation, such as condemnation by thought when a person condemns others inwardly even without speaking, condemnation by the tongue through gossip, slander, and defamation, and also condemnation by hearing when a person accepts listening to words that condemn others and participates through agreement and acceptance.
The lecture warns about the danger of condemnation because it causes a person to lose divine grace and leads him into other sins because of pride and lack of love. The one who condemns others sins against God, against himself, against the person he condemns, and even against the listeners because he transfers to them the poison of judgment.
The lecture also calls the believer to control his thoughts, tongue, and ears, and not to believe gossip or spread the faults of others, while focusing on personal repentance and looking at one’s own sins instead of being occupied with the faults of people.
In the end, the spiritual message of the lecture confirms that love, humility, and sound spiritual discernment are the correct way to deal with the mistakes of others, and that a person should walk in truth without ظلم and in mercy without negligence toward sin.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
The Sermon on the Mount – Do Not Judge, Lest You Be Judged, Part 1
The lecture speaks about the concept of condemning others from the Orthodox Christian perspective, explaining that when Christ said, “Judge not, that you be not judged,” He did not mean cancelling spiritual discernment or rejecting truth, but rather preventing a person from rushing to judge people and condemn their hearts and intentions.
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that there is a type of condemnation that is not sinful, which is condemnation based on authority, knowledge, and love, such as a father reproving his son, a judge in his judgment, or the Church in confronting heresies and doctrinal errors. This is not condemnation arising from pride or hatred, but from spiritual responsibility and concern for the salvation of souls.
The teaching also distinguishes between judging the action and judging the person. Recognizing that an act is wrong is a natural discernment placed by God in the conscience of man, but judging the person himself and considering him absolutely evil is dangerous, because a person does not know the circumstances of others, their intentions, or their inner weakness.
The lecture confirms that spiritual rebuke may sometimes be a duty, but it must be done in a spirit of love, humility, and compassion, not with humiliation or superiority. Private advice is also better than public rebuke, except in cases where the sin is public and affects the whole community.
Then His Holiness explains the different types of condemnation, such as condemnation by thought when a person condemns others inwardly even without speaking, condemnation by the tongue through gossip, slander, and defamation, and also condemnation by hearing when a person accepts listening to words that condemn others and participates through agreement and acceptance.
The lecture warns about the danger of condemnation because it causes a person to lose divine grace and leads him into other sins because of pride and lack of love. The one who condemns others sins against God, against himself, against the person he condemns, and even against the listeners because he transfers to them the poison of judgment.
The lecture also calls the believer to control his thoughts, tongue, and ears, and not to believe gossip or spread the faults of others, while focusing on personal repentance and looking at one’s own sins instead of being occupied with the faults of people.
In the end, the spiritual message of the lecture confirms that love, humility, and sound spiritual discernment are the correct way to deal with the mistakes of others, and that a person should walk in truth without ظلم and in mercy without negligence toward sin.
For better translation support, please contact the center.