We live in a society where all types of judging are generally discouraged. It seems the common thought is that everyone should have the freedom to choose how they live their lives without any firm moral rules. Then, when rules are presented, someone will inevitably say, “You can’t judge me.” This statement is actually true if we are judging in the wrong way.
Jesus said the wrong way to judge is hypocritical judgment (Mat. 7:1-5). This involves a person who has a glaring error they will not correct in their own life, while trying to correct a smaller error in someone else. The Jews were guilty of this as well when they were condemning the sins of the Gentiles while they were just as guilty (Rom. 2:1-3). Today, this could present itself in a variety of ways: a smoker who shames someone for drinking alcohol, a parent telling their children not to use bad language when they curse regularly, a friend who calls others selfish when they never help anyone, etc. The list could even include a Christian who tells someone they need to obey God and worship regularly when they hardly make any effort themselves. It is also true that anytime a person judges a situation hastily and without full knowledge it is the wrong way to judge. That is why Jesus said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).
So, if there is a wrong way to judge, there must be a right way to judge. The right way to judge is based on God’s Word where we can distinguish between good and evil (Heb. 5:14). We can judge between the ungodly paths to destruction and the holy path that leads to eternal life (Mat. 7:13,14). We can judge if someone is teaching false doctrine by what they say and do (Mat. 7:15-20). We can judge who is wise and who is foolish based on how they are building their lives (Mat. 7:24-27). We can make a judgement concerning those who live lifestyles of sin (1 Cor. 6:9,10). We can judge who is lost and who is saved based on Gospel obedience (Mark 16:16; 2 The. 1:8,9). We can judge if a Christian has turned from the faith back to error (James 5:19,20). We can judge if we ourselves are obedient to God (2 Cor. 13:5).
The ultimate judge is our Lord (Acts 17:30,31). He will decide in the end who has been faithful and will be welcomed into the eternal Kingdom (Mat. 25:34). He has left us with His Word that will judge us on the last day (John 12:48). Our duty is to follow His Word and help others do the same making righteous judgments every day (John 7:24; Pro. 17:15; 1 John 3:6-9).
~Derrick Coble
Jesus said the wrong way to judge is hypocritical judgment (Mat. 7:1-5). This involves a person who has a glaring error they will not correct in their own life, while trying to correct a smaller error in someone else. The Jews were guilty of this as well when they were condemning the sins of the Gentiles while they were just as guilty (Rom. 2:1-3). Today, this could present itself in a variety of ways: a smoker who shames someone for drinking alcohol, a parent telling their children not to use bad language when they curse regularly, a friend who calls others selfish when they never help anyone, etc. The list could even include a Christian who tells someone they need to obey God and worship regularly when they hardly make any effort themselves. It is also true that anytime a person judges a situation hastily and without full knowledge it is the wrong way to judge. That is why Jesus said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).
So, if there is a wrong way to judge, there must be a right way to judge. The right way to judge is based on God’s Word where we can distinguish between good and evil (Heb. 5:14). We can judge between the ungodly paths to destruction and the holy path that leads to eternal life (Mat. 7:13,14). We can judge if someone is teaching false doctrine by what they say and do (Mat. 7:15-20). We can judge who is wise and who is foolish based on how they are building their lives (Mat. 7:24-27). We can make a judgement concerning those who live lifestyles of sin (1 Cor. 6:9,10). We can judge who is lost and who is saved based on Gospel obedience (Mark 16:16; 2 The. 1:8,9). We can judge if a Christian has turned from the faith back to error (James 5:19,20). We can judge if we ourselves are obedient to God (2 Cor. 13:5).
The ultimate judge is our Lord (Acts 17:30,31). He will decide in the end who has been faithful and will be welcomed into the eternal Kingdom (Mat. 25:34). He has left us with His Word that will judge us on the last day (John 12:48). Our duty is to follow His Word and help others do the same making righteous judgments every day (John 7:24; Pro. 17:15; 1 John 3:6-9).
~Derrick Coble