Some Thoughts On "Judging"

"If we be modest and charitable in our censers of others, and decline judging them, and judge ourselves rather, we shall not be judged of the Lord." Matthew Henry

Three General Rules:

1. Look At Yourself First

"...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." Matthew 7:5


2. Only Judge Within The Church

"For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." 1 Corinthians 5:12-13


3. Judge With Great Discretion

"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1

More Verses On Judging

"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." John 7:24

"But you, why do you judge your brother? Or again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God." Romans 14:10

"Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. There is only One Lawgiver and judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you to judge your neighbor?" James 4:11-12 (See an interesting take on this scripture here.)

Scripture That Relates To Judging

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16

{To overseers}"...holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict."

Points On Judging From The Matthew Henry Commentary (specific to Matthew 7:1-5)

• Judge ourselves, not our brother
• Do not sit in the judgment seat, to make our word a law to everyone
• Do not despise him or set him at naught
  
• Do not judge rashly
• Do not judge uncharitably, unmercifully, nor with a spirit of revenge or desire to do mischief
• Do not judge the hearts of others, nor their intentions
  
• Do not judge their eternal state

In Summary

The overall picture I get on judging is just not to do it unless necessary to preserve sound doctrine and/or to weed out false teachings. We do not judge someone based on our opinions (or feelings) of that person, and we are not to condemn anyone. For the most part, we are not to judge people, but rather content. It is the "content" we judge, rebuke, and correct. We also must be very careful if we choose to judge because we are but sinners. We are faulty and we err. Do not take judging lightly. Please be very careful not to lay extra burdens on people because of your opinions. If the scripture is not clear on a particular issue, perhaps you should be extra diligent in not claiming truth in the grey.

I like what Jasmine Baucham has to say that relates to judging: "Daddy always says that our orthopraxy falls into three categories: opinion, persuasion, and conviction." I encourage you to make it a habit to know the difference between the three. (Orthopraxy is correctness or right belief with right action.)

I tend to take pretty strong stances on certain things, as I'm sure many of you do. Let's make a point to really examine why we believe what we do so that on a day of questioning, we can be clear with scripture why it is we hold fast to the belief we hold. Examine things for yourself. Cling to humility...but be confident in the Lord.

I also want to add a general note to all: please please please give people the benefit of the doubt, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.

*If you have found some of my posts to be judgmental, please read this post - you may be right!

"But examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21