In all people, without exception, a terrible "splinter" called condemnation has stuck. Condemnation is considered a sin that not everyone is in a hurry to confess. The overwhelming majority are satisfied that they did not kill, steal, or offend, and this sin is often forgotten, considering it insignificant.
What is this sin
Condemnation is a terrible sin. Speaking about him, it is important to understand in whom he can take root. These are the people who are infected with an extreme degree of pride, i.e. have a high opinion of themselves. Only the one who considers himself better than others, or at least not worse, condemns. In the condemnatory speech of such a person, the subtext is traced: “I wouldn't do that…” And he needs that those around him know about it.
A good example of such a sin can often be found in the city. Each entrance has benches where old grandmothers like to sit. In the absence of specific responsibilities, they sit on the street all day, discussing passing neighbors among themselves, and by all means passing judgment on each of them. And the worst thing is that most of them are parishioners of the church, who regularly confess and receive communion.
The consequences of judgment are dire. Jesus Christ said: "Do not judge and you will not be judged." Thus, he made it clear that those who are not subject to this vice do not come to court. Perhaps this is the easiest way to escape.
The essence of sin
Why is this sin so terrible? The fact is that we cannot know everything about the person we are condemning. The thoughts, feelings, circumstances and motives that prompted him to a certain act are unknown, but, nevertheless, we make our own judgment about it. Thus, theft from God of his rights occurs. Only He knows absolutely everything about each of us and, accordingly, understands how justified this or that action is.
God loves us and, proceeding from love, makes a judgment, but we judge without love, and without knowing anything about a person. Such theft of God's right is called sacrilege. During the Last Judgment, such “judges” will face people whom they have not hesitated to slander. They will clearly see all the circumstances that pushed the unfortunate to their act. Only then will it be too late to regret it. For in eternity there will be no more opportunity to repent.
By judging others, we show our "rotten" insides and expose additional vices. Jesus Christ warns: "With what judgment you judge, they will also judge you." Thus, Jesus points to the deplorable fate of such people in eternity. He will ask us: "What right did you have to condemn the people for whom I suffered?"
So be mindful of your words, thoughts, and deeds in which you can express condemnation to others. In the scriptures, this is called a crime. Thus, with our hatred and pride, we "finish off" our relatives and friends and lead ourselves to destruction.
One of the great saints (Gerasim of Jordan), realizing his responsibility to God and realizing the full gravity of this sin, wore a large stone (golan) in his mouth only so that the poison of condemnation would not burst out and harm others.
