The Power of Judgment: Spiritual Discernment and Wisdom
As we continue our Twelve Powers journey, the month of March is dedicated to the power of judgment, also referred to as wisdom. The understanding of judgment as an innate human ability is not about being judgmental, but being able to discern what is right for us and what is not right for us. The ability to judge, evaluate, discern, be wise, appraise, and apply what is known. Our innate ability to judge is crucial in being able to make decisions for ourselves and for the future.
The Role of Judgment in Spiritual Growth
One of the co-founders of Unity, Charles Fillmore, said, “Judgment is the mental act of evaluation through comparison or contrast.” Fillmore also indicated that our innate ability to judge allows us to avoid hardships experienced because of sin. Keeping in mind that Unity does not teach that sin is a moral failing, rather, Unity goes back to the original Greek definition of sin, which was an archery term associated with missing the mark.
In his book, The Twelve Powers of Man, Fillmore indicates that as humans, we can learn in two ways. We can learn by trial and error, or we can connect to the infinite wisdom within ourselves and learn that way.
This idea of judgment is often a quandary, because it is clear that Jesus says, “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged” (Matthew 7:1, NRSVue), but then encourages followers to judge by saying, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24, NRSVue). Is there a way for us to judge correctly?
Judgment and the Higher Self vs. Ego
In Power Up, Paul Hasselbeck and Cher Holton address each power through a spiritual lens and through an ego or personality lens. When we are connected to our Higher Self or the Christ within, our innate spiritual abilities are in balance. However, when they are governed by ego, these powers can become imbalanced, either overdeveloped or underdeveloped.
Hasselbeck and Holton indicate that when the power of Judgment/Wisdom is underdeveloped, an individual may become indecisive. They might also be unable to discern good from bad. Underdeveloped judgment could also cause a person to want to bury their head in the sand and avoid the circumstances that are taking place in our world. Overdeveloped judgment results in individuals becoming highly judgmental and even discriminatory, being susceptible to things like transphobia, racism, or religious supremacy. Another way the overdevelopment of this power can appear is if a person is highly picky about details or always finding fault in circumstances.
Judgment and the Solar Plexus
As with the other powers, these powers are often associated with a location in the body as well as a color. For this power, the location is the solar plexus area, the pit of the stomach. The color associated with it is yellow. This is identical to the Chakra system from the Hindu tradition. Within that tradition, this energy body is related to personal power and willpower, which is similar to the powers of wisdom and judgment, because our ability to evaluate and make decisions is closely related to our personal power/willpower.
Wisdom is also associated with intuition, which is even sometimes called our gut feelings. This is likely why this power is associated with this part of the body. It is these gut feelings that we can use to make decisions and navigate the planet.
James, Son of Zebedee: The Biblical Representation of Judgment
As with the other powers, the Power of Judgment/Wisdom is associated with a personality from the Bible. For Fillmore, he saw each power represented in one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. He even saw Jesus calling forth the twelve disciples as symbolic of our own Christ Nature or Higher Self calling forth these innate abilities forward into our human experience.
For Fillmore, James the son of Zebedee represented the power of Judgment. He said:
“James, the son of Zebedee, represents discrimination and good judgment in dealing with substantial things. James is the faculty in man that wisely chooses and determines. It may be in the matter of food; it may be in the matter of judgment about the relation of external forces; it may be in the choosing of a wife or a husband—in a thousand different ways this faculty is developed in man. The spiritual side of the James faculty is intuition, quick knowing. James and John are brothers, and Jesus called them “sons of thunder.” These brothers preside over the great body brain called the solar plexus, or sun center.” (The Twelve Powers of Man)
Salomé: The Feminine Representation of Judgment
In The 12 Women of the Chalice: Bible Keys to the Divine Feminine, Leddy Hammock explores the Twelve Powers from a feminine perspective. She identifies Salomé as the woman within the biblical narrative that represents Judgment/Wisdom, which Hammock frequently refers to as Spiritual Discernment.
Salomé is presented as a decisive woman who actively seeks what she believes to be best for her sons. The book describes her as the embodiment of the Spirit of Choice, which aligns with the idea that judgment requires making choices based on spiritual insight rather than mere surface appearances.
Salomé was the mother of the sons of thunder, and in Matthew 20:20-21, she boldly asks Jesus for her sons, James and John, to sit at his right and left in the Kingdom. In this, she is clearly not passive, but active in seeking a direct answer from Jesus. Jesus responds to her request by reframing power in terms of service and self-sacrifice rather than status, which means her boldness allows for a deeper teaching about spiritual wisdom.
Salomé demonstrated active decision-making, balancing impatience and procrastination, and understanding that wisdom requires divine timing and purpose. She remained with Jesus during the crucifixion (Mark 15:40-41), demonstrating perseverance and the kind of wisdom that trusts divine purpose even in times of suffering. This aligns with the idea that true judgment is not about immediate gratification but long-term spiritual vision.
The Spectrum of Judgment and Wisdom
We also know that these powers, just as our understanding of gender, are not binary. There is a spectrum of understanding related to each of these innate abilities. Gaining wisdom through intuition is often seen as a more feminine trait, while gaining wisdom through observation is seen as a masculine trait. However, the ideal way to express wisdom is to unite both masculine and feminine traits, integrating intuitive discernment with rational decision-making.
Intuition & Logic
Wisdom gained through intuition is often considered a feminine trait, while wisdom gained through observation and logic is often seen as masculine. However, the ideal expression of wisdom unites both aspects, integrating intuitive discernment with rational decision-making. Just as gender exists on a spectrum, so too does our ability to judge and discern, and we must embrace the full range of this power to find balance.
Aligning with Divine Judgment
Charles Fillmore viewed God’s judgment as an ongoing, universal principle rather than a one-time event:
“Our actions have consequences, and these consequences have a direct relationship with universal law.” (The Twelve Powers of Man)
To call on this power, we must recognize ourselves as expressions of divine love and recognize that as expressions of divine love, we are intrinsically connected to all divine attributes. We can do this by affirming the truth of our nature and taking time each day for prayer and meditation. Cora Fillmore, in Christ Enthroned in Man, provides an affirmation for this power:
“God is the name of the everywhere present wisdom in which I live, move, and have my being. Divine wisdom is awakened in me and I love to express divine judgment.”
It is also important for us to participate in healthy and life-giving communities.
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji states:
“Just as cold disappears by sitting near the fire, so our pain is destroyed in the congregation of saints.”
By consciously developing our power of judgment/wisdom, we align with divine order and make choices that reflect our highest good.
About Folx with Faith
At Folx with Faith, we recognize that wisdom and discernment are essential tools in navigating our spiritual paths. Judgment, when guided by divine wisdom, allows us to make choices rooted in love, justice, and truth. As a community, we are committed to creating spaces where individuals can explore their spiritual power, deepen their faith, and cultivate inner discernment. By engaging in collective reflection, honoring diverse perspectives, and supporting one another, we strengthen our ability to make spiritually aligned decisions that uplift both ourselves and our communities.
Join us as we continue to explore the Twelve Powers, affirming our divine nature and walking forward with clarity and purpose.
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James Masters (they/them) is a member of Unity Church of Overland Park, where they actively teach classes and participate in community events. They are in the final stages of becoming a Licensed Unity Teacher (LUT) and have been deeply engaged in spiritual study since 1999, joining the New Thought movement in 2005.
James is a contributing author for the bestselling anthologies The Courageous Heart, Enduring Wisdom, and The Grateful Soul. They are a personal coach specializing in spiritual and relational development, guiding others toward deeper self-awareness and empowerment.
Beyond their work in spiritual education, James has a strong commitment to social justice and community service. They helped establish an all-genders shelter and regularly volunteer to support those experiencing housing and food insecurity. Their knowledge of technology and unwavering compassion for others make them a valuable force for positive change in their community.
