TO JUDGE OR NOT TO JUDGE?

TO JUDGE OR NOT TO JUDGE?

Matthew 7:1-5 (Amplified Bible)

1DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. 2For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. 3Why do you [a]stare from without at the [b]very small particle that is in your brother's eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam [c]of timber that is in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam [d]of timber in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother's eye. (Please note: Here Jesus is NOT saying that we are NOT to judge, but we are not to judge others without first examining ourselves! And we are NOT to CONDEMN and CRITICIZE but we are to correct and admonish-IN LOVE.)


John 7:24 (Amplified Bible)


24Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously. (Now keep in mind that this is Jesus speaking to those who were judging HIM. How much more so, would He expect us to 'judge' one another?!... And note: He Himself said to JUDGE FAIRLY AND RIGHTEOUSLY)



1 Corinthians 5:12-14 (Amplified Bible)



12What [business] of mine is it and what right have I to judge outsiders? Is it not those inside [the church] upon whom you are to pass disciplinary judgment [passing censuring sentence on them as the facts require]?



13God alone sits in judgment on those who are outside. Drive out that wicked one from among you [expel him from your church].

1judge


1 : to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises

2 : to sit in judgment on : try

3 : to determine or pronounce after inquiry and deliberation

4 : govern, rule —used of a Hebrew tribal leader

5 : to form an estimate or evaluation of; especially : to form a negative opinion about

6 : to hold as an opinion : guess, think

7 : to make a distinction or separate. To discern

The bible seems to teach us in some places, 'do not judge,' but in others to 'judge.' How else can we correct or discipline, without judging? (John 7:24, Matthew 18: 15-17, James 5:20, Ephesians 4: 15, 2 Timothy 4:2) In all honesty and realness, we judge everyday! Each time we have to choose what we will wear or what we will eat. We judge when we decide where we will go! When we are disciplining our children for something they do 'wrong', we are judging their behavior..... Right?!

When we look at scripture on judging, it is important that we pay attention to who and what is being addressed. For example check out (Romans 2:1) "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whoever thou art that judgest: for in that thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." Now upon first glance, it will appear that judging someone would be condeming yourself! But upon further inspection, you will see that when you judge someone who is doing the SAME thing that YOU are doing, THAT is condemning yourself! Hence the scripture in (Matthew 7: 1-5) which I shared above!

Now come along with me to (Luke 7:40-43) "And Jesus answering said to him, Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee. And he saith, Master, speak. There was a certain creditor who had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that [he], to whom he forgave most. And he said to him, Thou hast rightly judged." Do you see my friends? Jesus Himself said to Simon, that he had rightly JUDGED! If judging is always wrong, why would Jesus tell Simon he had RIGHTY judged? See Simon had CHOSEN, or DECIDED correctly!

Okay moving along to those outside (unbelievers) the church! Why does (1 Corinthians 5:12-14, *see above) tell us not to judge outsiders?! Because those inside the church (believers), are held to a much higher standard than those outside! Believers are held to God's standards and it should be by HIS standards that we judge others when we have to, and not our own! Our purpose should be to truly help others and to be sure they aren't misrepresenting Christ, and not to try to make ourselves feel superior or look better than them!

But those outside of the church, haven't yet made the choice or commitment to accept living life on a higher standard (God's rules). They aren't professing to be 'Christian', therefore their lifestyles aren't misrepresenting Christ! What we see is what we get! They aren't being hypocritical in their walk! So how dare we judge them according to our standards?! We were all once where they now are, let us not forget that! So let us leave their judging to God! He is the ONLY One who can truly judge them fairly, as he knows and sees all-even inside the heart! Sure we are to share with them the Good News about Christ, but we are to do so in love and not by criticizing or condemning them!

But hold it now! As mentioned above, before you start judging your 'siblings' in Christ, make sure that you have your own life in order in whatever area it is that you are planning to 'admonish' your siblings in! Otherwise, no matter how well meaning your intentions are, you can be hindering what God is doing, by destroying your own witness! Jesus calls those who do this HYPOCRITES; just ask the Pharisees! Also, be sure to check yourself, and be sure that it is GOD asking you to be the one for the task! Not everyone sent in our direction, is sent there by God for us to help! And no matter what you do be sure to speak in LOVE! (Ephesians 4:15)

And let us not forget that Judgment Day is fast approaching, and although we believers have already been judged and found righteous through our faith in Christ, we will be rewarded, or suffer loss based upon what we do with all of our gifts, our time, talents, WORDS, etc.. (1 Corinthians 3: 13-15) We need to be careful not to be so focused on others' faults, that we fail to see our own! So before 'speaking out' we need to seek the Lord to find out whether or not we are to judge, or not to judge! Amen?!

1 Corinthians 6:2-5 (Amplified Bible)


2Do you not know that the saints (the believers) will [one day] judge and govern the world? And if the world [itself] is to be judged and ruled by you, are you unworthy and incompetent to try [such petty matters] of the smallest courts of justice?



3Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world and of this life only!


4If then you do have such cases of everyday life to decide, why do you appoint [as judges to lay them before] those who [from the standpoint] of the church count for least and are without standing?



5I say this to move you to shame. Can it be that there really is not one man among you who [in action is governed by piety and integrity and] is wise and competent enough to decide [the private grievances, disputes, and quarrels] between members of the brotherhood,......



For more informative information about what and when to judge, check out these articles:

http://www.woundedheart.org/Judging.htm and http://www.doorofhope.org.au/content.php?page_id=88




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