The unspoken judgment of mankind.
Scripture speaks in two different ways about judging others. On the one hand, it says, "Judge nothing before the time, till the day of the Lord come;" on the other hand, it says, "He that is spiritual judgeth all things:" and we are told to regard the Holy Spirit, of which we partake, as a Spirit of discernment. Goodness as such has a wisdom in it; it knows that which attracts and draws it to itself, and that which does not; it knows the character with which it is in sympathy and agreement, and that with which it is not.
I. What then is meant by our being told that we are to "judge nothing before the time, till the day of the Lord come," etc.? These texts mean (1) that we are not to judge hastily, not to judge others for small and doubtful things; they unquestionably limit and put checks on us in judging others. (2) But perhaps the great law with respect to judging which is laid down in these texts is that judgment in this world, when it is upon the critical point of men's goodness or badness, is suspended with respect to its delivery; that it is not allowed full expression and manifestation. Openness is the very characteristic of the last judgment. But and this is the great distinction between the two the tongue of intermediate judgment is tied. We are not at liberty to say openly what we think about others, even though it may be true.
II. In the temper of the Psalmist we observe a greater strength than belongs to the other temper of impetuous and premature expression strength not only of self-control, but of actual feeling and passion. To attempt the exposure of the bad in this world would be to fight with all the conditions of our state in this world for another reason. It would be found that the charge could not keep pace with the explanation, but that the explanation would, by the laws of society, overcome it, because by these very laws what society as such requires and is contented with is different from that which satisfies the individual. A thing is true, most true, untilyou say it; but if you say it, if it goes out of your lips, if it is once spoken, oh, how false it becomes. The floodgates of explanation open. It is crushed, and cannot stand a moment against the full resources of a conventional defence.
III. This judgment, which is hidden at the bottom of human hearts this is the real judgment, though at present only mute and expectant. Fear this hidden adversary; and if it be not too late, deal with him quickly while thou art in the way with him.
J. B. Mozley, University Sermons,p. 223.
References: Psalms 39:1-7. J. L. Adamson, Dundee Pulpit,March 2nd, 1872.Psalms 39:3. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. x., No. 576; J. B. Aitken, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xiv., p. 113.Psalms 39:4. J. Budgen, Parochial Sermons,vol. i., p. 157. Psalms 39:5. W. Lindsay Alexander, Christian Thought and Work,p. 106. Psalms 39:6. A. C. Tait, Lessons for School Life,p. 209.