“He who busies himself with the sins of others, or judges his brother on suspicion, has not yet even begun to repent or to examine himself so as to discover his own sins…” – St. Maximos the Confessor

Judging others is likely the most popular way to avoid self-examination. The judge, with his wagging finger and clucking tongue seeks to divert attention from himself, as a magician shifts his audience’s attention away from the sleight of hand he performs to fool them.

Judgment gives the illusion of righteousness to the judge who “…busies himself with the sins of others, or judges his brother on suspicion…” But don’t be fooled! This is not righteousness, it is legerdemain.