Post by Sheila on Mar 12, 2024 16:17:52 GMT -5
The final conclusion of this thread may come as a surprise to many people.
We've all had someone warn us to "judge not" when we talk about what a person does and call it a sin. We're told to "judge not" when we tell a person they're sinning and need to repent. These two words are found in Matthew 7:1; however, they leave out the end of that verse. The full verse in the NIV states, "Do not judge, or you will be judged". Verse 2 adds to the warning. "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you". Romans 2:1-4 can further explain the previous verses. God is the one who will judge anyone who judges someone else. Taking these two sources, along with others that make simple statements about not judging other people, it does seem that no one should ever judge anyone else.
Romans 14:10-13 also contains a warning about not judging other people that some will use in the attempt to prove we shouldn't judge people. However, when taken in the context of the entire chapter, it can be seen this statement was aimed at judging fellow Christians because of what they eat, the days they consider sacred, etc. In other words, we're not to pass judgement on any Biblically-based belief, ritual, or tradition if doing any of those things helps the person be closer to God. Whether something is found in the Bible or not, Christians may choose to do or not do certain things as long as those actions do not go against any of the laws and teachings found in the Bible.
So what are we to do with the chapters and verses that teach there are times we should judge people? These texts do exist. Here's just one example. "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 person from among you" (1 Corinthians 5:12). The question "are you not to judge those inside" isn't saying we should not judge those inside the church, but that we should do so. If there are people who are "wicked" among us, we have to use our judgement to make the determination that they're doing or saying something wicked. In fact, Paul is judging people by writing these sentences. He judged that the couple in an incestuous relationship were sinning and were wicked. So if we aren't to judge, why was one of the leaders of the early church judging anyone?
One of the uses of the lessons in the Bible is to rebuke members of the church. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servants of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). A rebuke is a sharp disapproval or criticism because of a person's behavior or actions. No one can disapprove or criticize anything without first judging that thing. So these verses teach there are times to judge.
It should now be clear that Christians should judge. However, we must take care how and why we do that judging. Now one or more of you may be wondering if we really shouldn't judge anyone outside of the church. "Outside the church" are any people who are not Christians by having been saved by the grace of God and those who don't meet that criteria but who sit within a congregation. Whether you realize it or not, we all do this everyday of our lives - even those who tell us to "judge not". If we're never to make a judgement, here are a list of some of the things you can't do because they require a judgement to be made:
- you can't correct your children or punish them for doing or saying something you think is wrong
- you can't disallow your teens to hang out with or date whoever they choose even if those friends are "bad influences"
- you can't tell your spouse not to drink or do drugs
- you can't call the police if you see someone commit a crime
- you can't serve on a jury and determine if the defendant is innocent or guilty
Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? We have to do something to teach our children right from wrong. We have to protect our teens and spouses from themselves or others. We have to punish people who break the law. But every one one of those actions requires us to first make a judgement. If we should not judge, that means never, regardless of the situation. Or do you only tell people not to judge if that judgement is aimed at you or so we don't offend anyone?
We've all had someone warn us to "judge not" when we talk about what a person does and call it a sin. We're told to "judge not" when we tell a person they're sinning and need to repent. These two words are found in Matthew 7:1; however, they leave out the end of that verse. The full verse in the NIV states, "Do not judge, or you will be judged". Verse 2 adds to the warning. "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you". Romans 2:1-4 can further explain the previous verses. God is the one who will judge anyone who judges someone else. Taking these two sources, along with others that make simple statements about not judging other people, it does seem that no one should ever judge anyone else.
Romans 14:10-13 also contains a warning about not judging other people that some will use in the attempt to prove we shouldn't judge people. However, when taken in the context of the entire chapter, it can be seen this statement was aimed at judging fellow Christians because of what they eat, the days they consider sacred, etc. In other words, we're not to pass judgement on any Biblically-based belief, ritual, or tradition if doing any of those things helps the person be closer to God. Whether something is found in the Bible or not, Christians may choose to do or not do certain things as long as those actions do not go against any of the laws and teachings found in the Bible.
So what are we to do with the chapters and verses that teach there are times we should judge people? These texts do exist. Here's just one example. "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 person from among you" (1 Corinthians 5:12). The question "are you not to judge those inside" isn't saying we should not judge those inside the church, but that we should do so. If there are people who are "wicked" among us, we have to use our judgement to make the determination that they're doing or saying something wicked. In fact, Paul is judging people by writing these sentences. He judged that the couple in an incestuous relationship were sinning and were wicked. So if we aren't to judge, why was one of the leaders of the early church judging anyone?
One of the uses of the lessons in the Bible is to rebuke members of the church. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servants of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). A rebuke is a sharp disapproval or criticism because of a person's behavior or actions. No one can disapprove or criticize anything without first judging that thing. So these verses teach there are times to judge.
It should now be clear that Christians should judge. However, we must take care how and why we do that judging. Now one or more of you may be wondering if we really shouldn't judge anyone outside of the church. "Outside the church" are any people who are not Christians by having been saved by the grace of God and those who don't meet that criteria but who sit within a congregation. Whether you realize it or not, we all do this everyday of our lives - even those who tell us to "judge not". If we're never to make a judgement, here are a list of some of the things you can't do because they require a judgement to be made:
- you can't correct your children or punish them for doing or saying something you think is wrong
- you can't disallow your teens to hang out with or date whoever they choose even if those friends are "bad influences"
- you can't tell your spouse not to drink or do drugs
- you can't call the police if you see someone commit a crime
- you can't serve on a jury and determine if the defendant is innocent or guilty
Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? We have to do something to teach our children right from wrong. We have to protect our teens and spouses from themselves or others. We have to punish people who break the law. But every one one of those actions requires us to first make a judgement. If we should not judge, that means never, regardless of the situation. Or do you only tell people not to judge if that judgement is aimed at you or so we don't offend anyone?
And here's something to think about. Anyone who tells someone to "judge not" is actually judging that other person. They make the judgement that the person is doing something wrong by judging, so they are judging.
*Quotes from the New International Version of the Bible
Copyright © 2024 by Sheila Rae Myers