What Does The Bible Say About Judging Others
People are always writing me saying, dont judge only God can judge. This statement is not even in the Bible. Most of the people who say that it is wrong to judge others are not unbelievers. They are people who profess to be Christians. People dont understand that they are being hypocritical because they are judging themselves.
These days people would rather allow people to go to hell than expose evil. Many people say, why are Christians so judgmental? You get judged all your life, but as soon as its about Christianity it is a problem. Judging is not sinful, but a judgmental critical heart is, which I will explain below.
What Does Right Judgement Look Like
Right judgment looks like confronting explicit sin in another believer out of love and for the purpose of repentance and reconciliation. If we know we are not supposed to judge those outside the church, and we arent supposed to judge the outward appearance , intentions, or hidden purposes of the heart, then what and how are we supposed to judge?
Right judgement looks like restoring the person who is caught in sin .
Matthew 7:1-5, is one of the most widely quoted phrases, Judge not, that you be not judged. Jesus is not commanding us to never judge, but rather, He is challenging our heart as we walk through judgement. Before we seek to call out another sister or brothers sin, we must check the motives and intentions of our heart. Jesus sharp heed here is to keep us from putting our own foot in our mouth. If we are not repentant and humble as we walk through holding someone else accountable, the judgement will fall back on our own heads.
As we seek to judge rightly, we should do so slowly, and with unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind .
What Does The Bible Say About Judging Others And Hell
UPDATE: I thought Id better explain whats in this post at the top. First, I show where Hell is mentioned in the gospels. Second, I talk about whether can Christians should judge non-Christians. Finally, I talk about why judging can actually be the loving thing to do.
Where is Hell in the New Testament?
Heres a few Bible verses where Jesus talks about Hell.
I dont mind if people disagree with those verses on historical grounds maybe because they are not early enough or not multiply attested enough, although I think they are historically reliable. What bothers me is when a person throws verses out because they just dont like them, because of intuitions and emotions.
Who to judge and how to judge
Did you know that it is forbidden to judge non-Christians on Christian moral standards?
9I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people
10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
13God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you.
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What Did Jesus Say About Judging Or Condemning Others
Jesus tells his followers not to judge others. He says that if we do judge others, we will be judged ourselves.
Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.
In Luke, Jesus says the same thing, but also warns against condemning others.
Do not judge, and you will not be judged do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.
God looks at the heart . Only God can look at the heart. We are all sinful human beings . So, we cannot judge or condemn others without deserving Jesus anger You hypocrite!. We cannot know what is in another persons heart.
How do we stand against those who behave in ways that are opposite to the behavior Jesus requires from his followers, without judging or condemning that person? Answer we stand against the behavior, not the person. If we are followers of the teachings of Jesus, we do not judge or condemn the individual concerned. For example, if someone is promoting violence as a way to achieve an objective, we promote peaceful action. Or, if someone is clearly lying, we point out the truth, but we do not judge or condemn the person.
Jesus tells us to be merciful and tells us how God will respond to those who are merciful. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. . If we are merciful, we will not judge others or condemn them.
Jesus tells us to be meek . If we are kind and gentle, we will not judge others or condemn them.
Process Of Judging Others Rightly
This should be a cause of great sorrow and mourning for any church family. However, the purpose behind these extreme measures is the hope of reconciliation.
Remember what we saw in1 Corinthians 5. Paul said I decided to turn such a person over to Satan for the destruction of his body, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 5:3-5
This process of judging others MUST be done in humility, love, and always in hope of reconciliation.
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Lesson 1: The Sin Of Judging Others
I once served on a jury for a drunk driving case. The defendant had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit. The judge carefully instructed us that our job was to determine if this woman had, in fact, broken the law. I naively thought that the case was a slam-dunk. We shouldnt have to deliberate longer than a few minutes.
We got into the jury room and one guy piped up, I can drink that much and drive without any problem! Someone else chimed in with similar comments. Some ladies said how nice the young woman seemed to be. I couldnt believe it! They were totally ignoring the judges instructions! After three hours of wrangling, another juror and I finally had persuaded everyone of the womans guilt, except for one woman. She said, I could never vote to convict her, because the Bible says, Judge not, lest you be judged.
It was late in the day, and I knew that if we didnt convict her, wed all have to come back the next day. So I said, None of us wants to come back tomorrow. Were going to convict her, so you just keep quiet! Thats how justice was done!
In concluding this section on resolving conflicts , James elaborates on Jesus command against judging one another. His message is:
To resolve conflicts, stop judging others and submit to Gods authoritative Word.
Better Is Open Rebuke Than Hidden Love
Sometimes it is hard to rebuke someone, but a loving friend does tell us things we need to know even if it might hurt. Even though it might hurt we know that it is true and its coming from love.
23. Proverbs 27:5-6 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
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Judging And Correcting A Brother
Are we to let our brothers and sisters rebel and live wickedly without restoring them? When a Christian starts going astray we have to lovingly say something. Is it loving to watch someone walk on the road that leads to hell without saying anything? If I was on the wide road that led to hell and I died every second of me burning in hell I would hate you more and more. I would think to myself why didnt he say anything to me?
17. James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
18. Galatians 6:1-2 Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also wont be tempted. Carry one anothers burdens in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
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According to my understanding, this verse is not telling us to never judge others. Rather, its a warning to be careful how we judge.
- The measure of judgment we use against another will be used against us
- Examine your own heart and actions first
- Dont be a hypocrite! Acknowledge your own weaknesses so you are able to approach your brother in love and humility .
Here is another.
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O manyou who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourselfthat you will escape the judgment of God? Romans 2:1-3 ESV
This is another passage of scripture that would seem at first to be saying that we shouldnt judge but look a bit closer.
We can get a bit more insight by looking at what the author just got done telling them in the previous chapter.
Again, this passage is not a command to not judge, but rather a warning to be careful in how we judge. These Christians were not judging others rightly because they failed to examine their own lives before passing judgment.
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The Godly Will Appreciate An Honest Rebuke
Sometimes at first we do buckle up against it, but then we realize I needed to hear this.
19. Psalm 141:5 Let a righteous man strike methat is a kindness let him rebuke methat is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
20. Proverbs 9:8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you rebuke the wise and they will love you.
What Does The Bible Teach Us About Judging Others
Imperfect humans are inclined to compare themselves with others. Then, they tend to draw conclusions about the value or importance based on their value system. Imperfection makes us prone to compare ourselves with others and to draw conclusions about others that tend to be unfair and unjust. Are there times or circumstances when we are to judge others? Or, do we always avoid judging others? The main verses in scripture that deal with are below and they have commentary on each one.
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Example Of Judging Others In The Bible
So, we read in 1 Corinthians 5 that Paul told the church in Corinth to remove the sinful person from among them with the hope that they would be reconciled. If we read in Pauls next letter to them, we see that there was evidence that this person had repented. Paul instructs the church at this time to affirm him and welcome him back into fellowship.
Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, 7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. 2 Corinthians 2:6-8
Make Value Judgments About Other Christians
Romans 12:19 Updated American Standard Version
19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath for it is written: Vengeance is mine I will repay, says the Lord.
Dearly beloved This expression of tenderness was especially appropriate in an exhortation to peace. It reminded them of the affection and friendship which ought to subsist among them as brethren.
Avenge not yourselves To avenge is to take satisfaction for an injury by inflicting punishment on the offender. To take such satisfaction for injuries done to society, is lawful and proper for a magistrate Rom_13:4. And to take satisfaction for injuries done by sin to the universe, is the province of God. But the apostle here is addressing private individual Christians. And the command is, to avoid a spirit and purpose of revenge. But this command is not to be so understood that we may not seek for justice in a regular and proper way before civil tribunals. If our character is assaulted, if we are robbed and plundered, if we are oppressed contrary to the law of the land, religion does not require us to submit to such oppression and injury without seeking our rights in an orderly and regular manner. If it did, it would be to give a premium to iniquity, to countenance wickedness, and require a man, by becoming a Christian, to abandon his rights.
For it is written Deu_32:35.
1 Corinthians 5:13 Updated American Standard Version
1 Corinthians 15:33 Updated American Standard Version
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Gods People Will Judge
12. 1 Corinthians 6:2 Or dont you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest cases?
13. 1 Corinthians 2:15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments.
Paul On Judging Fellow Believers
Sin is sin. If a believer is committing sin, and they claim to be a Christian, Paul says to not fellowship or socialize with such a person.
“But as it is, I wrote to you not to keep company, if any man who is named a brother is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. Don’t even eat with such a person.”
Paul even bluntly states that he judges a man who sins, saying, “For I most assuredly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.”
This is appropriate judging. Paul is not being hypocritical by also sinning, and he is objectively calling it what it is: sin.
This kind of judging is exactly what Jesus talks about in Matthew 18, saying, “If your brothersins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.”
Both Jesus and Paul say to refuse those who claim to be Christian, but are sinners as seen by their actions. Why? Paul explains,”Don’t be deceived! ‘Evil companionships corrupt good morals.'”
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What Does The Bible Say About Judging Righteously
Where in the Bible does it say we can judge righteously? John 7:24-34 NKJV tells us:
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.
And this Proverb about judging righteously:
Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:9
This is probably making you think Didnt you just say that we arent supposed to judge others?
The truth is there is a big difference between judgment and judging righteously.
Judgment Begins At The House Of God
Is ‘Judging’ biblical? Here is why we judge the house of God Ezekiel 3:16-21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous , that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned also thou hast delivered thy soul.Ezekiel 3 verses 16-21 andEzekiel 33 warns us to be WATCHMAN
It is better to be divided by TRUTH, than to be united in error. It is better to speak the TRUTH that hurts and then heals, than to speak a lie that will comfort and then kill. It is better to be hated for telling the TRUTH, than to be loved for telling a lie. It is better to stand alone with the TRUTH, than to be wrong with a multitude. Better to ultimately die with the TRUTH, than to live with a lie. -Adrian Rogers, –
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