Scriptural Reference:
Discernment
"But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Discernment, on the other hand, is responding from love, rather than reacting, so we can make appropriate choices for ourselves, and for the good of others."
Hebrews 5:14

Judgement
"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement.”
John 7:24

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; "
Luke 6:37

And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the
first to throw a stone at her.”
John 8:7

Reflection:
Judgement:
Judgement. has a sort of, "this is the final answer" sense to it, which can close us off to receptivity and the possibility of mutual understanding. Judgement also has the better than you aspect about it. As expressed in John 8:7 where a woman is being judged by those who see themselves as being better. They believed they were above the human faults and sins of other. Yet Jesus cleared things up when he challenged them to look inward. Telling them that the one who hadn't sinned could throw the first stone. Something they had to admit could not be done as all have sinned. Only God was without sin.

Passing judgement on others is also very emotional. People will make a judgement choice based on past experiences and personal prejudices. Where as the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions becomes focused and clouded by a range of ingrained subconscious paradigms. So that many will not even realise what they are doing. To the point where judgement becomes a knee jerk reaction,

Discernment:
Discernment, on the other hand, is responding from love and through love; rather than reacting. So we can make appropriate choices for ourselves, and for the good of others. The fundamental definition of Christian discernment is a decision-making process in which an individual makes a discovery that can lead to future action. In the process of Christian spiritual discernment God guides the individual to help them arrive at the best decision. The noun discernment describes a wise way of judging between things, or a particularly perceptive way of seeing things. If you can understand something that's somewhat hidden or obscure. So the beginning of discernment starts with understanding the other person. Where they may be coming from and what experiences have created the situation and choices they find themselves in at the time.

There will be times when discernment will involve letting go of our sense that we have a final authority or power to fully understand someone. And in doing so we think we can somehow affect an outcome through our righteous decision on someone. This involves stepping back from what we think we know. To get a better observation at a distance. The old adage of not seeing the forest for the trees comes to mind. An expression that is used of someone who is too involved in the details of a problem to look at the situation as a whole. A too close focus to see clearly.

Appearances:
There's a story that goes somewhat like this.

There was a very intelligent young student enrolled at a prestigious university in the US. He could recite Pi to 30 digits. He was able to use a slide ruler to work out a range of equations. As well as create engineering designs that would be used to build everything from bridges to dams. Yet he was socially awkward and tended to dress in a shabby manor that distracted from who he was.

Early one Sunday he was walking around the campus. Taking a break from studies and just taking in the natural beauty of the grounds. When he heard a bell ringing not far away. So he decided to walk in the direction and see what is was. As he drew closer to the sound he realised it was the campus church bell. The campus church was a popular place for many lecturers and students alike to attend. It was established over 200 years at the same time as the university. Many had been Baptised, married and remembered within its' walls. He watched as people smiled and chatted outside before entering. They all seemed to friendly and welcoming. He decided to wander in and see what the service would be like.

As He walked in a uncomfortable muffled sigh went around the people. Though He wasn't aware as He really had no social campus to guide his judgement or understanding. As He approached some seats the people moved in such a way as to remove any free seating. So He looked around and wondered around looking for a place to sit. Yet each time he went to sit the people moved in such a way as to make it impossible to do so. In the end and after the minister had cleared his throat several times He decided to sit on the floor between the rows of seats in one of the isle.

The minister sighed deeply and began his sermon. With a heavy voice dripping with agitation. While the congregation sat and fidgeted as they waited to see who would deal with this interloper. Then an elderly man stood up. He was on of the elders of the church. He slowly shuffled towards the young man. As people started whispering to each other. "Great Tom will put that delinquent in his place" or "That ruffian will get told by Tom to leave and not to return. Even the minister seemingly chuckled as He saw Tom shuffling towards the young uncouth punk who was upsetting the solemnity of his service. A service that the minister had spent many hours crafting.

As Tom got close to the young man a sudden silence fell over the congregation. Even the minister stopped talking as He listened to hear the clever rebuke Tom would give this rude intruder. And then in the silence everyone watched in shocked surprise as Tom sat down next to the young student and gently tell him;

"I think you'll like the next part of our service. It's steeped in beautiful traditions and scriptural meaning"

So many God fearing Christian people that day had forgotten John 7:24. They had quickly judged the young student based solely on his clothes. Not on his need to discover what they believed and put their faith in. The elder Tom on the other hand took time to reach out and make a connection. Opening up a path for personal growth and spiritual awakening.

Quick question: Who were you in this short story? Were you the minister who put all his focus on his message? Were you one of the congregation who went to church out of tradition looking forward to be entertained? Were you Tom the elder ready to step out of your comfort zone and make a connection? Or were you the young student looking to connect and to learn?

Prayer:

Lord, we have two eyes,
With which we can be blind.
Not seeing the forest for the trees.
Not seeing the lost for the mess.
Help us be open to those around us.
So that we will not fall in to judgement.
But seek to discern and understand.
Seeing others with your loving eyes.

Amen