Do Not Judge - Part 6

Why Are We To Judge?

According to the Bible, the act of judging righteously is a benefit to the individual Christian and to the body of believers as a whole.

Judging helps to sanctify the individual believer, prepares us to do the work of God, protects us from heretical doctrine that jeopardizes our faith, makes us an effective witness for Christ, and is a demonstration of God's grace to others.

Judge Yourself

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17

Judging ones' self with the Word of God is a key part of the process of sanctification through which every believer proceeds. This is why we are told to examine ourselves to see if we be in faith. (II Corinthians 13:5)

Do Not Judge - Part 5

What Are the Restrictions on Judging?

Although Scripture shows that God expects, equips, and commands man to judge, there are stipulations that govern this decree. 

We must not be hypocrites when judging

God states that when we judge others for committing sins and yet we are actively participating in sin too, we are condemning ourselves. (Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:37-42; Romans 2:1-5; Romans 2:20-23)

This is clearly depicted in God's judgment of David for the killing of Uriah. The prophet Nathan approached David for judgment regarding a story of a rich man that had stolen from a poor man. Yet, after David pronounces his judgment, Nathan's words were, "Thou art the man..." (II Samuel 12:1-7)

God is warning us that we will be measured by the same yardstick with which we measure others.

Do Not Judge - Part 4

How Are We to Judge?

The primary stipulation given for Christians regarding judging is that we are not to proclaim our own judgments (based on our opinions) but to pronounce the judgments of God (based on truth).  Jesus serves as the best example in this manner.

"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." (John 5:30)

Here Jesus confirms that all true judgment comes from God alone, but He also sets forth the criteria for what constitutes just judgments. Jesus says that because He places His will in subjection to God the Father, He is able to hear God's words and be sent by God to pronounce His judgments.

Do Not Judge - Part 3

Who is Supposed to Judge?

When speaking on the topic of judging, it is not uncommon to hear people say, "Only God can judge me!" And this is true!  But the issue is whether God uses man to proclaim His judgments.

Although God alone is the Judge, this does not mean that only God judges. In fact, the Word of God says that God enables man to judge, commands man to judge, and is pleased with those who seek to judge righteously.

Throughout time God has imparted to man the authority to judge (Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:16; Deuteronomy 16:18; Judges 2:16-19; II Chronicles 19:5; Ezra 7:25; Isaiah 1:17; Ezekiel 23:45; John 7:24; Romans 2:27; I Corinthians 2:15; I Corinthians 6:).

God states that He gives those who obey Him the authority to judge:

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by."Zechariah 3:7

Do Not Judge - Part 2

What Does it Mean to Judge?

Webster's defines the act of judging as:

judge: to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises.

Simply stated, judging is the process of evaluation that people naturally employ everyday to make determinations of what is true.

We judge when we need to leave to arrive on time to a particular destination. We judge what we should wear based on what the weather is for the day. We judge the credibility of others as they give us information, etc.

Do Not Judge - Part 1

Didn't God Instruct Us Not to Judge One Another?

"...Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment."II Chronicles 19:6

In the world today, the admonition not to judge is frequently used to place a virtual gag order over those who would speak up against popular and accepted world practices. Even some Christians will use a "don't judge" stance when erroneous teachings and ministries in the church are examined.