# On Avoiding Rash Judgment explained — The Imitation of Christ

> Chapter companion for The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.

## What happens

This chapter warns against judging others and emphasizes self-examination, noting that personal feelings and hidden motives often distort judgment. It teaches that true peace comes from desiring God above all and submitting fully to Him, rather than relying on one's own reason.

## Themes in this chapter

### Interior Life and Solitude

The chapter urges the reader to look inward and examine oneself rather than judge others, emphasizing the interior life.

### Humility and Self-Denial

Warns against rash judgment and promotes humility by recognizing one's own faults and submitting to God.

### Love of God Above All

States that if God were the sole object of desire, one would be less troubled by erring judgments, highlighting the primacy of love for God.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Referenced as the power upon which one should rely rather than on one's own reason or experience.

### The Disciple

The voice addressing the reader, urging self-examination and submission to God.

### God the Father

Implied as the sole object of desire and the one to whom we must be perfectly subject.

## Key lines

> Look well unto thyself, and beware that thou judge not the doings of others.

Pay close attention to your own conduct and avoid passing judgment on what others do.

_Opening exhortation to self-examination and restraint from judging others._

> If God were always the sole object of our desire, we should the less easily be troubled by the erring judgment of our fancy.

If we desired God above everything else, we would not be so easily disturbed by our mistaken perceptions.

_Connects inner peace with single-hearted devotion to God._

> If thou rest more upon thy own reason or experience than upon the power of Jesus Christ, thy light shall come slowly and hardly; for God willeth us to be perfectly subject unto Himself, and all our reason to be exalted by abundant love towards Him.

If you rely on your own reasoning or past experiences instead of on Christ's power, you will struggle to gain understanding; God wants us to submit completely to Him and have our reason lifted up through deep love for Him.

_Final admonition to trust in divine power rather than human intellect._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xiv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters