Should Christians Be Judging?

What is the truth about the question of whether Christians should be judging? Is it Matthew 7:1 that says “Do not judge or you too will be judged” or is it John 7:24 that says “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment“

Any apparent scripture conflict means we have not yet grasped the truth in the Word. Scripture must be used to interpret scripture, His Word is infallible. There is no conflict about judging in the Word. It is thru the precepts of men, that scripture has been twisted and many are now confused about key biblical doctrines including our call to judge righteously.

Did Jesus Judge? He tore into the Phrarisees and Scribes in his famous “Woe unto you” passages.

- Mat 12 “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?
- Mat 23: “You hypocrites, you blind guides, greedy, self indulgent, full of wickedness, you snakes, you brood of vipers”
- Luke 11: “who neglect justice and the love of God, love the most important seats, load people down with burdens, taken away to the key to knowledge, hindered those entering the kingdom of God, your generation will be accountable for killing the prophets”
- John 2: “Get out of here, how dare you turn my Father’s house into a den of thieves”
- Luke 12 “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy”
- John 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil. Clearly Jesus called out sin in all of his teachings throughout the gospels and he especially made note of those that acted pious about religion but acted with an evil heart.

These are pretty strong words from Jesus directly confronting the Pharisees. God’s word indeed judges rightly based on truth. They killed Jesus for his words.

What did the Apostle Paul have to say about the topic?
- Eph 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness but rather expose them
-Galatians 4:16  Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? ….
- 1 Cor 5:11-13 “But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a person do not even eat. Do you not judge those who are inside? Therefore put away from yourselves that wicked person”  This whole passage is entitled in my bible “Immorality Must Be Judged” and the text of Paul, the inspired words of the Holy Spirit make it pretty clear we are to judge immoral behavior and NOT EVEN EAT with those that indulge in such sin.

- Gal 6:1 “Brothers if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently” The command to restore someone, first required a judgment be made. This is indeed righteous judgement as long as we follow the second part of the command here, which is to be gentle. The opposite of gentle is harsh, and as we will see in other verses we are commanded over and over again to be gentle with one another. Too many people twist being gentle to mean that we are not to confront sin.  The bible says nothing of the sort.
- 2 Thess 3:14 “If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that hey may feel ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy but warn him as a brother”
- 2 Thess 3:6 “We command you brothers to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us”
- Heb 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”

Paul even named names!

- “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” 2 Tim. 4:10
- Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some have put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme 1 Tim. 1: 18-20
- But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth as canker. of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some ” 2 Tim. 2:15-18
- “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil. the Lord reward him “according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also, for he hath greatly withstood our words ” 2 Tim. 4:14-15

99% of the sermons I have heard in church are all about the love of God.  While I know love is king in living the Christian life, we can’t be his disciples living on only half the truth of the bible. We are told to not love the world and clearly there are many things God says he hates; are we to love those things too? Proverbs 6:16 tells us seven things God hates. If we love God, we also will hate these things.

- 1 John 2:15-17 - Do not love the world or the things of the world, including lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life. If we love these things, the love of the Father is not in us! if we love God, we are forbidden to love the things which oppose Him. In fact it is impossible to love both God and evil.   The more you love God, the more you hate evil, because God and evil are opposites. The less you hate evil, the less you love God. When your hatred and opposition to evil grows weak, you need to realize that this is because your love for God has grown weak!
- Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Note that proper love requires us to abhor evil. [Amos 5:15]
- Proverbs 17:15 - He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord. People want us to justify the wicked, but if we do, we are an abomination to the Lord! We must hate what God hates.

We are called to use scripture to correct and reproof sin and error in the church.

- 2 Tim 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness”
- 2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine
- Jam 5:20 “let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins”
- Gal 6:1 “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be overtaken.”
- Matt 18:15-17 “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican”

Do you see the pattern developing here? We simply cannot do what God commands if we don’t judge. The key distinction is knowing what to judge and how to judge, not whether or not we are to judge as clearly the Word says we are. If there is any doubt left, what other instructions to the church are given about confronting sin and error?

- 1 Tim 5:20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that others may take warning
- Luke 17:3 If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him
- Titus 1:12 “therefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in faith”
- James 4:4 Do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whoever, then, purposes to be a friend of the world is put down as hostile to God
- 1Corinthians 5:12-13 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” Like John 8, we should judge immoral behavior but leave the sinner to work out the penalty with God.

The DO NOT JUDGE crowd is compromising the the truth under the banner of unity and tolerance. This is error, a lie perpetuated by Satan and is leading millions away into an accellerating deception and general state of apostasy.

Another thing I hear is we need to be tolerant. I believe this is also wrong, while we are told to correct with gentleness and humility (see my blog on Spiritual Pride), I don’t see tolerance taught in the bible. Consider these verses of scripture:

- Acts 2:38 Peter replied repent and be baptized, With many other words he warned them; he pleaded with them, “save yourself from this corrupt generation”.  Repentance is not possible unless one first sees their error or behavior as sin. As disciples, it is our duty to righteously call people to repentance but we must first teach them the ways of God.
- Luke 17:3 If your brother sins, rebuke him
- 2 Timothy 2:24-26 The Lord’s servant must correct those who have been taken captive by the Devil.
- 2 Timothy 4:2-4 Preaching the word requires us to “reprove and rebuke”
- James 5:19 We should seek to convert those who go into sin and error
- Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten
- Ecclesiastes 3:8 There is a time to love and a time to hate.
- Psalms 97:10 - You who love the Lord, hate evil!
- 2 John 11 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him

The idea that God loves everything so we should love everything is not biblical and very dangerous.

A classic comeback from the DO NOT JUDGE crowd is always the story of the woman caught in adultery. This teaches us about hypocrisy and condemnation of others and is taken out of context. Jesus authored the Mosaic law and perfectly fulfilled it. The scribes tried to trap Jesus and he turned the tables knowing they were guilty of their own sins that also carried punishment under the law. They secretly expected to get away with their sins, not confess them, while expecting mercy but showing no mercy themselves to this women. Jesus knew their hearts and convicted them with his words and they left in shame. His last words to the woman judged her sin as he declared “Go now and sin no more”.

John 8 “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. ….”Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” ….They were saying this, testing Him, ….so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. Jesus said he who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either”

We are to correct and reprove others by the word of God. But we are also to show mercy if we expect to have mercy for our sins. Whatsoever a man soweth he shall also reap! Judging without hypocrisy is what is meant in taking the plank out of our own eye first so we can then see clearly. Pronouncing penalty for sin (condemnation) is the exclusive domain of God. We can judge righteously if it is by God’s word. A correct adage of God’s teachings is to hate the sin but love the sinner.

A full reading of Matthew Chapter 7 brings the context of Jesus words of judging into clearer focus.

- “For the same way you judge others, you will be judged.” Who has a problem with this if we judge righteously.
- “Don’t be a hypocrite”, fix your own issues before you judge another for the same offense
- “Do not give dogs what is sacred, do not throw your pearls to the pigs.” Jesus said, don’t share the truth, the Word of God by judging those that have closed their eyes to the truth. In this context Judging is a good thing and Jesus said don’t do it for the dogs or the pigs.
- Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing… (IE teaching do not make godly judgments)

Ironically, people that criticize those that correctly teach we are to judge righteously per John 7:24, show their own hypocrisy by judging those that supposedly judge in error.

Jesus told us he did not come to bring peace but a sword. What he meant by these verses is that we should not shy away from conflict, he said we would have conflict and being his disciple would cause people to reject us. Speaking the truth, especially if it is in love and given with gentleness could sow the seed that leads someone to repentance and ultimately salvation.

- Mat 10:34 “Do not suppose I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”
- Luke 12:49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth and how I wish it was already kindled? Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No I tell you but division.
- John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. This is why the world hates you.”
Do not judge doctrine, falsely teaches us to be at peace with the world. We cannot love God and love the world at that same time.

The world is Satan’s domain. By speaking our positions Based on God’s Word, the world will indeed hate us; there will be controversy and conflict. Jesus said Expect It

We are warned to be cautious in fellowshipping and hanging out with unbelievers and deceitful workers. Consider these well known teachings:

- 2 Cor 6:14-17 - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
- Eph. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (judge) them.
- 2 Thess. 3:6 We command you brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.
- 2 John 10:11 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. We are called to make judgments using the Word of God
- Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject

We must use discernment to make Godly judgments. We should be respectful and courteous when discussing matters of faith with outsiders.

There are some warnings about judging for sure. There are areas God does not want us to be judging and if these verses are not understood with the whole of scripture, error creeps in and we get confused.

We are warned and told not be hypocrites throughout the Bible. This was Jesus’ point in Matthew 7:1.

Warnings About Wrong Judging

- Rom 2:2 “so when you a mere man pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment”?
- Rom 14:1 Don’t pass judgment on disputable matters (opinions). This is where truly judgmental people tread
- James 4:11 “He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge”
- Judging the hearts of men, this is left to God alone, consider these passages:
Acts 15:8 God who knows the heart
Luke 15:15 God knows your hearts
Psalm 44:21 … since he knows the secrets of the heart
John 7:24 Stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgment.

So do not judge by appearances, do not discriminate or show partiality, and do not judge others on disputable matters. We are to judge indisputable matters, which is the truth of God as His Word tells us.

What should we be judging?

We should be standing up for God’s word, his commands and decrees about right and wrong, acceptable lifestyles and sound teaching. I summarize it this way.
- Decisions of Morality as Defined By God including but not limited to ….
- Abortion
- Homosexuality
- Marriage Laws
- Right versus wrong
- False Teachers/Doctrines as warned by God
- Rebuke and correction of sinners inside the body of believers only

The Bible does not teach us to be silent on these matters.

The Word says that God judges those outside the church. Our confronting of sin and judging righteously should be focused inside the professing body of believers. For those outside the body of believers we are to show them by example how to live, share the Good News but we are also commanded not to throw our pearls to the swine!

What is the risk to the church and the lost if we do not judge as we have been commanded?
- Word of God not preached or preached with error
- The Word will be snatched away by Satan, choked out by the worries of life or abandoned when believers fail under the trials of life resulting in death from lack of a saving faith.
- Many will be misled into false doctrine, false faith and will walk in darkness
- Following false teachers that do not teach the whole counsel of God
- Being unequally yoked with nonbelievers and deceitful workers
- Loving the world and the things of the world (which are Satan’s) and being an enemy of God

We certainly don’t want to be the people Jesus spoke of when he said this in Matthew. “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, their teachings are but rules taught by men.” Matthew 15:8-9

A real source of false doctrine as it relates to judging comes from the popular world view of a One World Religion.
- Promotion of valid alternatives to Christianity
- Accusing those of true faith of bigotry, intolerance, exclusiveness, judgment
- This is the prelude to persecution, so get ready, Jesus warned us it would come!

This is like the Frog in boiling water metaphor, authentic Christianity is slowly be killed off without realizing it and I pray we wake up before it is too late. Many of our faithful brethren are blind to the danger

Of course this ecumenical movement doesn’t believe what it says in ACTS. “Nor is there salvation in any other, but there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 This movement is based on a lie that says: The closer we get to God, the more gray things become and we need to be tolerant of every one’s diversity and have unity with one another. Sadly the truth is the opposite which is: The closer we get to God, the more black and white things become, right or wrong! Light exposes darkness and makes it easier to see. Jesus is the life, the truth and the way. The only way, not one of many

The Lord has been moving me in the direction of becoming a watchman for the church. I initially battled much pride in this (see my blog on Spiritual Pride) but this watchman theme continues to be heavy on my heart. I believe we are all watchman for the brethren are to call out error and warn others of deception and danger.
- EzekielWhen I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand.
- 1 Cor 2:15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ”. 33:8

What greater love is there then to turn one from sin into repentance and salvation through a relationship with Jesus? In parenting it is called tough love, in fellowship it is called correction or reproofing. In the false teaching crowd it is called prohibited judging. We speak out against sin, not because we are mean and hateful, but because God gives us no choice! If we truly love God, we will speak up, if we keep quiet, God will condemn us!

The bottom line on judging in my view is this:
- We are called to make judgments otherwise we could not live as commanded by the Lord. We must be able to discern good from evil and make decisions about deeds, people to fellowship with, movements and doctrines to support or oppose.
- We are warned to judge righteously and not be hypocrites or apply a double standard in our judgments.
- We are not to judge individual people’s hearts, as that is reserved solely for God.
- Neither or we to pronounce penalty on others for sin, just as the Lord is merciful we are to be merciful remembering that the same measure we use to judge others will be applied to us.
- The Ecumenical and Modernism movements have lead to false doctrine about judging
- Anti Christian bias in the name of tolerance, unity and moral pluralism has espoused thinking that all ideas, lifestyles and truth claims are equally valid.
- Jesus showed us how to Judge and his ministry and the Apostles included many harsh judgments and many instances of merciful judgment.
- The false teaching of Do Not Judge is leading many astray and graying the distinctions between good/evil and right/wrong.

In conclusion. This is a heated topic amongst many Christians and worse the DO NOT JUDGE mantra is used by non believers to discredit authentic Christianity. But we are to judge, we just need to do in the ways instructed by scripture.
- It is the Word of God that judges. The Truth Cannot Be Preached if error is not exposed.
- Judging with righteous judgment is judging by His Word.
- When God says something is right or wrong it is not us judging, it is in fact God judging.
- We have a responsibility as Christians to speak out against what is against God’s word. This is acting on our faith!.
-If we do not uphold God’s standards on judgment how can we be the salt and light to a world that has turned its back on God?.
- Teachings that espouse Do Not Judge are false and need to be called out and corrected lest the brethren be deceived.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principals of this world, rather than on Christ. (Col 2:8)

Thank you for allowing me to share with you. Comments are welcome. God Bless You