WHEN TO JUDGE OTHERS
When we apply Biblical standards to moral values that don’t measure up, we usually hear, “Who are you to judge me. Jesus said to judge not, or you will be judged!” We even hear that from fellow Christians who break Biblical principles and want to stay in their sin. It is true that Jesus said that, but does that mean we are to overlook sin when we see it?
Matthew 7:1-5 says “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Clearly Jesus is saying there is a type of judging others that is very incorrect. When we compare our sin to someone else’s sin that is wrong. If we use harsh judgment on others Jesus is saying that He will use our own standard on us. Hypocrisy is something Jesus sternly condemns.
However, there is a time when we can correctly judge. “Then you will see clearly to remove the speck…” This shows us that making a judgment isn’t wrong. It is hypocritical judgment which Jesus is against. And hypocritical judgment is the root of what we might phrase “being judgmental.” There is a large difference between evaluating fruit (actions) and passing judgment on a person’s inner motives and worth. We are never to judge motives or worth for only God can do that (1 Corinthians 4:5)
The Bible encourages us to make sound judgments. In John 7:24 Jesus said, “Do not judge by mere appearances, but judge with right judgment.” In this regard Christians should make judgments. There are 3 times we are to make judgments.
- WE JUDGE OURSELVES. We are to take the plank our of our own eye first (Matthew 7). Christians in Corinth were judging each other’s actions and neglecting to look at themselves. They were blind to their own sin but saw sin in others. Paul says they should judge themselves first so they would not be judged by God (1 Corinthains 11:31). Honest, open self-evaluation allows God to point out our own failings so we don’t suffer the negative consequences of them, either from life itself or from God’s discipline.
This can also help us to understand the difference between judging and being judgmental. Hopefully, we would acknowledge that self-loathing and continual focus on negative things in our lives is not healthy. We should judge ourselves fairly, so we have an honest, balanced evaluation of where we need to improve with God’s help. This will help us keep from pride, which is behind our putting others down for their struggles and sins. When we address the plank in our own eyes, we’re in a much better position to assess the speck in our brother’s eye, and to engage in any correction with loving and gracious precision.
- WE JUDGE DEMONIC SPIRITS. In 1 John 4:1-6 we are told to “test the spirits”. John’s audience is being told to make a judgment about various spirits. Are they from God or not? That’s a judgment being made. Demonic work is deceitful and dangerous. They counterfeit the truth and mislead any who aren’t aware of their lies and deceptions. We must evaluate all things so as to not be taken in by any of them.
- WE JUDGE THE ACTIONS OF OTHER CHRISTIANS. Not harshly by looking for sin to criticize. Not to condemn their motives or reject them as worthless Christians. We are to evaluate their actions, their fruit. Paul says something similar in 1 Corinthians 2:15. There he says, “The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.” What does this mean? It means to look at the world through the lens of the cross, through a Biblical world view.
Paul says we are to not associate with Christians who are sexually immoral, greedy, idolators, drunkards, wild partiers or dishonest (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). We are to evaluate other Christians so we can pray for them and encourage them to truth, so we can protect others from being negatively influenced by them and so we ourselves aren’t led to compromise our beliefs because of them. Fruit inspectors look for good fruit and turn from rotten fruit. So must we. The Bible commands church leaders to exercise church discipline on those in the church who are living with unrepentant sin (Matthew 18:15-20). Each individual is to help those who are struggling (Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:2).
We are never called to be judgmental, but we are called to rightly judge ourselves, evil spirits and Christians living in unconfessed sin. May God help us to do this!
How quick are you to judge others in harsh, ungracious ways?
Would Jesus say there is anything hypocritical about you? If so, confess it now and turn from it completely.
Do you know any Christian who has sin in their life? What can you do, besides pray, to help them see and turn from the sin?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India & Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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