Is It Wrong To Judge Others?
I have been told many times that it is wrong to judge others. The funny thing about it is that the people who tell me not to judge others are very judgmental of those they think are being judgmental. So where do they get this idea that we should not judge others? What does the Bible reveal about judging others?
Matt.7:1-6
1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye?5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.6 "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
In this passage above, it is Jesus who is speaking. Most people who say you should not judge others get this idea from the very first verse of Matthew chapter 7. But they really should read the rest of the passage to fully understand what Jesus was actually teaching. What is important is the standard you use when judging others. Jesus is teaching against poor judgment and being hypocritical in our judgment of others. He says that we will be judged by the same measure we use in judging others. He also says to take the log out of our own eye so that we can see clearly enough to remove the speck out of our brother's eye. Now let's see what else the Scriptures teach regarding judging others.
John 7:24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."
Here is another quote from Jesus. He had just healed a man on the Sabbath Day and the Jewish crowd was condemning Him for healing a man on the Sabbath. Jesus was explaining to them that their judgment was not good, but they should judge with right judgment. Clearly it is possible to judge others with right judgment. Here is another passage to consider.
I Cor. 5:9-13
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?13 God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."
Paul was writing to the church in Corinth. He clearly states in verse twelve that it is those inside the church we must judge and that we must "purge the evil person" from among us. God judges those who are outside. Here is one final verse to leave with you.
Rom. 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Paul was writing to the church in Rome and he instructs them to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine they were taught and to avoid them. We are not able to see the heart of man as God and Jesus are able to do. We can only judge others by observing what they say and do. It is because of this fact that we must be careful when we are judging others, but we cannot avoid judging others altogether. We have to determine who is lost and who is a fellow Christian so that we can know who needs to be taught the Gospel. We have to determine who is a wolf in sheep's clothing among us as well. When someone is teaching or preaching, we must search the scriptures to determine if what they are teaching is really the truth.
Satan wants us to think it is wrong to judge others at all. This is just another sneaky way that he can pervert the Lord's church and lead many astray. Be watchful and be careful how you judge others. The measure to be used is the Word of God. We cannot know for sure who will go to heaven or hell, but we can know who needs to know about Jesus and how to be a true Christian. May God bless us as we strive to live our lives in a manner pleasing to Him.
Matt.7:1-6
1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye?5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.6 "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
In this passage above, it is Jesus who is speaking. Most people who say you should not judge others get this idea from the very first verse of Matthew chapter 7. But they really should read the rest of the passage to fully understand what Jesus was actually teaching. What is important is the standard you use when judging others. Jesus is teaching against poor judgment and being hypocritical in our judgment of others. He says that we will be judged by the same measure we use in judging others. He also says to take the log out of our own eye so that we can see clearly enough to remove the speck out of our brother's eye. Now let's see what else the Scriptures teach regarding judging others.
John 7:24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."
Here is another quote from Jesus. He had just healed a man on the Sabbath Day and the Jewish crowd was condemning Him for healing a man on the Sabbath. Jesus was explaining to them that their judgment was not good, but they should judge with right judgment. Clearly it is possible to judge others with right judgment. Here is another passage to consider.
I Cor. 5:9-13
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?13 God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."
Paul was writing to the church in Corinth. He clearly states in verse twelve that it is those inside the church we must judge and that we must "purge the evil person" from among us. God judges those who are outside. Here is one final verse to leave with you.
Rom. 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Paul was writing to the church in Rome and he instructs them to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine they were taught and to avoid them. We are not able to see the heart of man as God and Jesus are able to do. We can only judge others by observing what they say and do. It is because of this fact that we must be careful when we are judging others, but we cannot avoid judging others altogether. We have to determine who is lost and who is a fellow Christian so that we can know who needs to be taught the Gospel. We have to determine who is a wolf in sheep's clothing among us as well. When someone is teaching or preaching, we must search the scriptures to determine if what they are teaching is really the truth.
Satan wants us to think it is wrong to judge others at all. This is just another sneaky way that he can pervert the Lord's church and lead many astray. Be watchful and be careful how you judge others. The measure to be used is the Word of God. We cannot know for sure who will go to heaven or hell, but we can know who needs to know about Jesus and how to be a true Christian. May God bless us as we strive to live our lives in a manner pleasing to Him.
posted by Unknown at 11:47 AM
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