WHAT DID JESUS MEAN BY “DO NOT JUDGE”?
HOWURYHUUUU!?
Today, I want to address a topic that has been on my mind for quite a while. And it’s the issue of “Judgment” or “fault finding”
Some are of the opinion that Christians shouldn’t judge because it’s a sin, and others believe that Christians have the right to judge. The truth is both sides are right, and like many other arguments in Christendom, it is just a matter of extremes and balances.
Those who believe that Christians shouldn’t judge because it’s a sin, usually use this text as the basis for their belief;
(Matthew 7:1-2)
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
And they conclude that the believer has no business “judging” other believers, and that no one can really know for sure who is a true believer other than God Himself.
While that position seems laudable and humble, to conclude that “other people can never really know who is with God, and who isn’t” is;
to completely ignore all the scriptural precedence for works being the authorized and necessary fruit of faith.
“…BY THEIR FRUIT, YOU SHALL KNOW THEM”
(Ephesians 2:10) (John 15:8) (Titus2:14)(Titus 1:16)(Titus 3:1)
It is also to claim that, “everyone who rebukes wrong-doing, is only speculating. And that couldn’t be further from the truth.
(2 Timothy 4:2, Titus 1:12-13, 2:15)
Whilst it is true that there IS in fact a form of God-complex in the church today, it is also important to recognize that, it is possible and Infact necessary to judge men by their fruit. We must find the balance point between both opinions, and maintain it.
To believe that your judgment is final and of the highest authority, is blasphemy. But also, to claim that “only God can know who is on His side” is at best, a conducive environment for the brewing of falseness and irresponsibility amongst the saints.
We must hold ourselves to scriptural standards, or we will have no structure for accountability and restoration. (Galatians 6:1)
We CAN by the authority of scripture judge a man as wrong and faulty. However our response must be a sincere desire to restore them in the spirit of meekness, and not to emphasize and broadcast their errors in condemnation.
This is the balance!
(James 4:11-12)
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
(Romans 14:10)
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
The word translated judge in these passages, is Krino; and it means to speak evil of. This, we are NOT PERMITTED to do. However;
1 Corinthians 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
The word translated Judge here, is diakrino; to separate thoroughly, to discern. This, we are INSTRUCTED to do.
If you read further down Matthew Chapter 7, in verse 6, you’ll find something interesting;
(Matthew 7:6)
“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
If we are not allowed to at least judge or discern in any form, how then can we know who to cast out pearls before? This proves that, believers have both the right and obligation to hold themselves accountable to God’s standards where necessary, through righteous judgment.
I love you too.