Should Believers Judge others?
By Dustin L. Dyer
Here is another piece of subject matter that has been taken out of
context and misunderstood by millions of people. A lot of folks are
quick to use the term "don't judge", or the bible says not to judge" and
they often refer to this bible verse for proof to back their
statements-
Matthew 7:1-6
“Judge not, that
you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be
judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3
And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not
consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your
brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is
in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s
eye.6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before
swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you
in pieces.
But I believe many will be surprised when they realize just what this verse is saying.
They're different types of judgement and certain judgement God calls
His believers to do. (OH NO!! Did I just say that???) Yes I did... The
context of this verse reveals that not all types of judging are
prohibited. There is a righteous kind of judgement we as Christians who
have believed and received Christ are supposed to exercise with careful
discernment. The types of judgement that are prohibited are censorious,
hypocritical, self-righteous or other unfair types of judgement. BUT in
order to fulfill God's commands it is necessary to decern dogs and swine
from one's own brethren (JUDGE). Yes, that may seem harsh but it is
what it is. We are to love and pray for all people and share with them
the gospel and God's gift of salvation. But we cannot participate in
things that are knowingly sinful. If we continue to be apart of someone
else's life that does not know God and we allow them to continue in this
way and we do nothing, what good are we to that person??? And what good
are we to God's purpose?? God cannot use believers that go along with
someone else's sin just because they fear losing them as a friend or
fear offending them.
Let me give an example of hypocritical judgement:
Lets say my friend was addicted to alcohol and loved to party and sleep
with as many women as he could. If I called him out on his sinful
actions and tried to lead him away from from this life-style and lead
him to the Lord but I myself were going out with him every night and
partying it up. How could I place righteous judgement on him when I am
doing nothing to stop him and I'm even going along with him for whatever
reason whether I'm doing these things myself or not. This is the type
of judgement that we cannot do and I think you see why. But if my friend
knows that I no longer do these things because of my relationship with
God, my friend now has a choice to make. My judgement of him now comes
from someone who does not drink and does not party hard or sleep with
women before marriage so now he is forced to think. This may even cause
me to lose him as a friend all together, but I would rather lose him as a
friend here so maybe I can gain him as a friend in eternity. This is
righteous judgement and it has to be done to help others.
Here are some verses that may help you with this issue
John 7:24 instructs us, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
2 Timothy 4:2 states, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of
season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching."
Titus 2:15 tells us, "Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you."
So you see, while Jesus does not allow harsh, censorious, hypocritical
judgement that self-righteous legalism promotes. He demanded the
exercise of moral and theological discernment or judgement.
Are
we as Christians perfect?? NO, not at all but we as Christians who
strive toward a better walk with Christ have given things up for Christ.
And as a believer if there is a sin we struggle with, we cannot cast
judgement on someone that practices the same sin. But once we turn away
from that sin and commit that sin no more, it is our job to judge in
order to lead that person to Christ so HE can convict that person.
I know this is a hard thing to swallow especially if you like to use
Matthew 7:1-6 when you feel that someone is being judgemental. But the
sad thing is, some folks like to throw that around because they
themselves are guilty of something, it gives them some false comfort.
But most people really don't understand the true concept of righteous
judgement. They can quote you the one verse that they think is speaking
against judgement but really don't understand it, some couldn't even
tell you the chapter it's from but they sure can say the words. (DD)
To read more of my blogs click the link below
Blogs By Dustin
