Proverbs 18:17 - Homiletics

Private judgment

The Protestant claim to the right of private judgment is not without its limitations. Applied to general truths it is unanswerable; but carried out in personal affairs it is often very dangerous. Every man may say that he is the best judge of what concerns himself. But two considerations modify that contention.

1 . No one truly knows himself.

2 . A man's doings are not confined to himself. They cross the boundaries of other lives and interests. Therefore, while s man is seemingly making an innocent demand concerning his own business, he is really claiming to be the judge of what affects his neighbours. Hence the need of caution.

I. PRIVATE JUDGMENT IS APPARENTLY JUST , EVEN WHEN IT IS ERRONEOUS . It is rarely that a man will own himself to he in the wrong when he is engaged in any contention with his neighbour.

1 . Judgment is prejudiced by previous opinions. We all approach a subject with a stock of prepossessions. Even while honestly intending to make a fair estimate, we cannot but apply the standards of our old set notions. Hence the need of working out "the personal equation."

2 . It is biassed by self-interest. This may be quite unintentional and unconscious. We may not be aware that we are showing any favour to ourselves. Yet so long as the selfishness of human nature remains as it is, there must be a secret weight in the scale inclining it to our own side.

3 . It is distorted by self-deception. Not knowing ourselves, we misread our own position. We give ourselves credit for aims that do not exist, and we disregard the real motives that actuate our conduct.

4 . It is perverted by ignorance of the position of other people. We think we are acting justly when we do not know all the circumstances of the case. If we could see all the rights and claims of our neighbours we might be ready to admit our own error.

II. PRIVATE JUDGMENT MAY BE CORRECTED BY GENERAL TESTIMONY . We recognize in the law courts that it is only right for both parties to a suit to be heard. The same concession is necessary for obtaining a just estimate of all matters in regard to which differences of opinion are expressed. In private life, in public affairs, in theological controversies, we want to learn how to hear the other side. The very difficulties of private judgment call for the correction that may be thus afforded. But other considerations also demand it.

1 . Truth is many sided. Even if we be right, it is possible that our neighbours may not be wrong. Our narrowness prevents us from seeing the solid form of truth and its various facets.

2 . Other people have rights. Until these have been considered we cannot be sure that what looks like a most just contention or our own part may not be a trespass upon them.

3 . Justice may require investigation. We see the way in which a skilful counsel will break down the most plausible evidence by probing into its weak places; how he will worm secrets out of the most reticent witness. Truth is often revealed through antagonism. The man who prides himself on hoodwinking his fellows is foolish and short sighted. If his insincerity is not discovered on earth, it will be revealed at the great judgment.