The Text
The Nature of Censoriousness
The spirit of charity, or Christian love, is the opposite of a censorious spirit — contrary to a disposition to think or judge uncharitably of others. A censorious spirit discovers itself in three areas: judging evil of others’ state, their qualities, and their actions.
In judging evil of the state of others, censoriousness appears in a disposition to think the worst of those about us, whether men of the world or professing Christians. God seems in his Word to have reserved the positive determination of men’s state to himself, as a thing to be kept in his own hands, as the great and only searcher of the hearts of the children of men.
Censoriousness in judging the qualities of others appears in a disposition to overlook their good qualities, or to magnify their ill qualities and make more of them than is just. Some have such a prejudice against some of their neighbours that they regard them as a great deal more proud, more selfish, or spiteful, or malicious, than they really are.
In judging evil of the actions of others, censoriousness appears in two things: judging them guilty of evil actions without any evidence that constrains such judgment, and in a disposition to put the worst constructions on their actions when they will just as well, and perhaps better, admit of a good construction.
Where the Evil in Censoriousness Lies
The evil of censorious judging lies first in judging evil of others when evidence does not oblige to it — in thinking ill of them when the case very well allows of thinking well of them. And the same is the case when persons are hasty and rash in judging and condemning others, though both prudence and charity oblige them to suspend their judgment till they know more of the matter. Hence it is said, He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him (Proverbs 18:13).
The evil also lies in a well-pleasedness in judging ill of others. When to judge ill of others is against the inclination of persons, they will be very cautious in doing it, will think the best that the nature of the case will admit, and will put the best possible construction on the words and actions of others. But when it proceeds from inclination and pleasure in thinking the worst, it is most plainly contrary to Christian love.
A Censorious Spirit Is Contrary to Love
We see that persons are very backward to judge evil of themselves. They are very ready to think well of their own qualifications; and so they are forward to think the best of their own state. And the reason is, that they have a great love to themselves. And, therefore, if they loved their neighbour as themselves, love would have the same tendency with respect to him.
We see also that it is universally the case, that where hatred and ill-will toward others most prevail, there a censorious spirit does most prevail also. When persons fall out, and there is a difficulty between them, and anger and prejudice arise, each is apt to entertain jealousies of what the other may do when absent and out of sight, and is forward to listen to evil reports respecting him. These things show plainly that it is want of Christian love, and the indulgence of a contrary spirit, from which censoriousness arises.
The Application
How often, when the truth comes fully out, do things appear far better concerning others than at first we were ready to judge. Eli thought Hannah was drunk, when she came up to the temple; but when the truth came to light, he was satisfied that she was full of grief, and was praying and pouring out her soul before God. David concluded from what Ziba told him that Mephibosheth had manifested a rebellious spirit; but when the truth came to appear, he saw it was quite otherwise. Elijah judged ill of the state of Israel, that none were true worshippers of God but himself; but when God told him the truth, it appeared that there were seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal.
God has threatened, that if we are found censoriously judging and condemning others, we shall be condemned ourselves. Judge not, that ye be not judged; for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged (Matthew 7:1). These are awful threatenings from the lips of that great Being who is to be our judge at the final day. Therefore, as we would not ourselves receive condemnation from him, let us not mete out such measure to others.