Recently I found the following statements shared on Social Media,
"Compassion can never coexist with judgment..." Henri Nouwen
"Attractive people judge neither themselves nor others." Deepak Chopra
While I get the sentiment, and it sounds enlightened, I suspect that this is very misleading to many people. In particular, it is unclear exactly what is meant by the two terms, "Compassion" and "Judgment". As good Christian apologists who want clarity, we should ask, "What do you mean by that?" (Thank you Greg Koukl and Stand to Reason for teaching that Columbo tactic.)
My concern is that this sounds very much like an unbiblical definition of love, that is often stated as
Love = Unconditional acceptance and non-judgment of a person's views and choices.
This is the new progressive definition (see Ministry of Truth's definition), and it is used to force the acceptance of all kinds of sinful behaviors and attitudes, all in the name of tolerance. Unconditional acceptance and non-judgment of a person's views and lifestyle choices is not real love. Doesn't true love require discerning judgment, not ignoring the facts or enabling delusions? True love will stand beside, sacrifice, and assist in healing and restoration. That is how we, as Christians, are to be known.
Not all judgment is wrong! In fact, if all judgment is wrong, then it is a self-defeating statement to make the assertion that it is wrong to judge, since that in itself is a judgment. (Get it?) And it really comes down to what is meant by the terms judgment and compassion/love, and how they are used in any given context. Some types of judgment are wrong, while others are commended. Some views of love and compassion are faulty and harmful, while others are an imperative and uplifting.
Judging, having prejudice, or mistreating people based on outward appearances is wrong, as James 2 says. But James is not trying to contradict Jesus' teaching on how to rightly judge, is he? Making unhypocritical judgments (or moral assessments) of sin, character, unbiblical worldviews, false teaching, or harmful attitudes and actions is expected of Christians. If not, then why are we given a clear process on how to go to others and confront them about unrepentant sin (Matt. 18:15-17), with the goal of reconciliation? Or why does Paul talk about church discipline (judgment) of those who sin or who are promoting to false teachings (1 Cor. 5:12)? To those in the Church, we are called to make "right" judgments, not "no" judgments. Too often a snippet of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matt 7:1) is used to give an unbiblical definition of judging (i.e. we should not make judgments at all.) But, "Never read a Bible verse!" Always read the context, by which it is clear that Jesus was teaching about hypocritical judgments and the willingness to apply the same judgment to ourselves.
As an example, God would not be both loving and just without His provision of His Son coupled with His judgment of sin and ultimate punishment. His nature is both. As bearers of the Imago Dei, we need to balance both too. It doesn't mean harshness -- it doesn't mean enabling bad behavior -- nor does it mean to suppress godly discernment. It doesn't mean that we should blindly embrace the delusions or false worldview assumptions of others and affirm their false beliefs. The Gospel starts with judgment about our sins, but offers mercy and forgiveness, so that we can avoid a future judgment. Should we not be willing to lovingly tell people the truth, especially when it really matters?
The world would be a better place if we did our part to balance Truth and Love. We don't do our world any favors by making claims that are easily misunderstood and that can lead people astray. Giving false comfort, I would submit, is worse than giving none at all.