To Judge or Not to Judge?
The Bible’s teaching about judgement can seem confusing. I’m not talking about the judgement of God, which is clear. I’m talking about the way we are to, or not to, judge one another.
On the one hand, there are places in the New Testament where we are clearly commanded to make judgments; to be discerning about people, their teaching, and their actions (e.g., Lk. 12:57; Jn. 7:24; Rom. 15:14; 1 Cor. 10:15; 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 Jn. 4:1). In fact, the ability to exercise appropriate judgment is even seen as a necessary sign of Christian maturity (e.g., 1 Cor. 2:15; 6:1–6; Phil. 1:9; Col. 1:9).
On the other hand, there are other places where we are clearly warned about the danger of passing judgement on others (e.g., Mt. 7:1; Lk. 6:41.; Jn. 8:7; Rom. 2:1; 14:4; Jas. 4:1). Jesus puts it plainly in Matthew 7:1: ‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged’.
So, what are we to do? To judge or not to judge?
Well, the answer is yes. Taken together, these passages teach us that there are clearly times when we must exercise judgement, but there is no space for us to adopt a judgemental attitude. In other words, we must be able to judge between right and wrong, but not in a wrong-headed, prideful, judgemental kind of way. Anyone who sizes others up or cuts others down with a sense of superiority or from a position of pride is acting out of step with Christ and the gospel. We must judge graciously and righteously.
I guess the question becomes: How can we do this? What does it look like to rightly make judgments without being judgmental?
Max Anders, author and pastor, provides some helpful guidance in the following principles for us to practice and apply:
- Identifying and opposing clear sin is not wrong. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5)
- We are not to be harsh in pointing out sin. Jesus said in Matthew 5:7, “In the same way you judge others, you will be judged.” If we hope for mercy in our faults, we must be merciful to others.
- We are not to judge if it is not a clear sin. John 7:24 instructs us not to judge “by mere appearance.” Jesus rebuked Simon, a Pharisee, when he wrongfully judged a woman. (Luke 7:36-50). Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:5, “…judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”
- We are not to judge if we are merely upholding our own standards. The apostle Paul made it clear in Romans 14 that, in debatable or unclear things, we are each accountable to the Lord, not to others.
- We are not to judge others if we are committing the same sin (Matthew 7:3-5). In fact, Paul said in Romans 2:1 that we condemn ourselves if we point out the sin of others while we commit the same sin.
- Self-righteous judgement is sin. James 4:6 says, “God is opposed to the proud.” Even if another person is sinning, if we are harsh and self-righteous, we are also sinning.
- We are to have a spirit of restoration when confronting sin. Galatians 6:1 says, “…if anyone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”
Ken Sande, author of The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict and founder of Peacemaker Ministries, provides a wonderful poem to summarise this matter and to help us reflect on it and put it into practice.
Help Me to Judge Rightly
Lord, help me to judge others
as I want them to judge me:
Charitably, not critically,
Privately, not publicly,
Gently, not harshly,
In humility, not pride.
Help me to believe the best about others,
until facts prove otherwise—
To assume nothing,
to seek all sides of the story,
And to judge no one until I’ve removed
the log from my own eye.
May I never bring only the Law,
to find fault and condemn.
Help me always to bring the Gospel,
to give hope and deliverance,
As you, my Judge and Friend,
have so graciously done for me.
With you on the journey,
Adam
