I’m confident that many parents have encountered the typical “don’t judge me” phrase that permeates today’s culture.
I’m convinced that it is one of today’s most abused biblical concepts. But, despite what culture tells our kids, we are to make judgments based on those of assessment; otherwise we couldn’t “know them by their fruit” or “by their love for one another.” It is ok to judge your teen, especially in order to look out for their welfare.
Judging Your Teen In the Right Way is Ok
It is the Pharisaical, self-righteous, hypocritical judgments of condemnation that we are to steer clear of. “Don’t judge me” is today’s postmodern “weasel clause” that keeps us from being accountable for our actions.
I bring this up; because, while at a youth worker convention, I was in a class being taught by a world renowned former figure in the evangelical movement. He was preaching that the problem with today’s church is that Christians exercise too much judgment and not enough grace and forgiveness; yet, he did this while defining his terms with the devil’s dictionary.
After a generation of moral failures, the man believed he should be restored to leadership. Many in the class agreed and many didn’t. Others were speechless. Then he said the church hadn’t forgiven him. God as my witness, those who disagreed with this man were called “sons of b___s” and told to go to hell! This guy was actually teaching youth leadership—and many in the class agreed with him! Is there any wonder the church is in the condition it’s in?
Jesus actually tells us to, “make a right judgment.” Paul says we aren’t supposed to judge those outside the church; but, we are to judge those inside. How could you have church discipline or “go to the brother who sins against you” without a judgment call? How could you call me critical or judgmental without making a judgment about me?
Our kids are pressured by culture to do what feels right and to live free. To justify this, they are encouraged to embrace this “don’t judge me” concept. Be sure you are prepared to provide a biblical teachable moment when your child brings this attitude to you. As a parent you have the responsibility to make judgments based on parental assessments of your child’s behaviors.
Picture provided by: Chris Potter