Overcome Your Overwhelm – Judgment

Have you ever made an assumption about another person only to find out you were completely off base? Or spent a large amount of energy arguing a point you were a hundred percent convinced of only to realize later you were a hundred percent incorrect? I know from experience that sinking feeling of discovering that you were in fact wrong.

Rarely would you or I say that we always know best, yet many times that is how we live. Today we are looking at Overwhelm Trigger #5: Judgment – my way is right. If we are not careful, our stubborn pride can ruin relationships, break down trust, and destroy our credibility. It can lead us in the wrong direction, leave us isolated, and bring about serious consequences.

The trouble I’ve found is that it is hard to recognize this pattern in ourselves. So how do we know when we are stubbornly clinging to our own ways?

Let’s look for a minute at a story found in 2 Chronicles 18-19. Here we see the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, in an interesting situation. He has decided to enter a military alliance with Ahab, the king of Israel. Before they enter into battle, they ask for advice from a group of prophets. These prophets affirm their plans and promise success.

There was only one problem. The prophets were not truth-tellers but instead wanted to appease the kings and feed their egos. Jehoshaphat had his doubts about these prophets and asked for a true prophet. An unpopular man named Micaiah was summoned for a word from God. Unlike the false prophets, Micaiah spoke of a negative outcome to the battle. He warned there was a deceiving spirit in the other prophets, and disaster was on the horizon.

Instead of pulling out, Jehoshaphat unwisely goes along with Ahab to the battlefield. But it seems he has some doubts because he disguises himself, choosing not to wear his royal apparel. Before long, the enemies overtake the kings and kill Ahab. In the end, Jehoshaphat cries out to God, and God spared his life.

When the king arrived back in Judah, he was met by yet another prophet, Jehu. Jehu rebukes Jehoshaphat for siding with Ahab, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD and so bring wrath on yourself from the LORD? But there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asheroth from the land and you have set your heart to seek God.” (2 Chronicles 19:2-3 NASB)

Jehoshaphat’s heart was divided between following God and clinging to his ideas. When confronted with the truth, he insisted on his own way. He justified and compromised. Instead of listening to God and wise counsel, he convinced himself that he knew best.

Like Jehoshaphat, trusting my own judgment gets me in trouble. And it is almost always accompanied by stubbornness. I dig my heels in and am unwilling to listen to what anyone else might say. Even God. And the thing about being stubborn is that very rarely will we admit to it or own up to it. There is always some excuse, some reason, some pressing issue that we think overrides all else.

Incorrectly holding to my own opinion and falling into judgementalism reveals itself in multiple ways. Here are a few signs I have learned to watch out for:

1. I think I am better than others, believing that I have superior knowledge, experience, or position.
   
2. I quickly become angry or upset when people express differing opinions or ideas.
   
3. I am restless and anxious, feeling the need to take action or see change.
   
4. I spend less time listening and more time talking, arguing, or persuading others.
   
5. I avoid prayer and Bible study or lack of focus and attention during these activities.
   
6. I stop listening for God’s direction, but instead, I am looking to Him to affirm my plans.
   
7. I run through arguments and scenarios in my head that I can use to defend my position and justify my actions.
   
8. I equate who I am with my successes and failures, believing that defines who I am.

I relate to Jehosphat’s divided heart. He wanted to serve God, but he also wanted to be successful. Most of us are not stubborn for the sake of being stubborn. Most of us don’t set out to rebel against God. In fact, many of us really want to please Him. But still, we find ourselves forging our own path.

When we find ourselves in a place of self-trust and independence it is time to examine our heart. We have to ask ourselves – do I trust my judgment, or do I trust God?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7

Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday. Psalm 37:4-6