One must not
judge anyone, although with one’s own eyes one may see someone sin or wallow in
transgression of the commandments of God; according to the word of God: “Judge
not, that ye be not judged” (Mat. 7:1). One must not nourish in the heart evil
or hatred towards one’s neighbor who is hostile. Rather, one must love him, and
as much as one is able, do him good, following the teachings of our Lord Jesus
Christ: “Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you” (Matt. 5:44). And
so, if we would strive as much as we are able to fulfill all this, then we can
have the hope that in our hearts shall shine the Divine light, revealing to us
the way to the Jerusalem above.
Why do we
judge our brethren? Because we do not strive to know ourselves. Whoever
occupies himself with self-knowledge never notices others; judge yourself, and
you will stop judging others. And so, beloved, let us not observe the sins of
others and judge them, so as not to hear: “The sons of men, their teeth are
weapons and arrows, and their tongue is a sharp sword” (Ps. 56:5). For when the
Lord leaves a man to himself, then the devil gets ready to crush him, as a
millstone does a grain of wheat.
~St Seraphim
of Sarov
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