Judging others has been declared to be a sacred cow by our liberal neighbors. They defy us to sacrifice that cow, in hopes that we will slice own throats. “Don’t judge that person, no matter how contrary to the Bible he might be!” “Don’t talk about the sins of that television preacher, or the pastor of that mega-church.” “Don’t criticize the life-style of that evangelist; it only proves that you are jealous.” “Don’t condemn that homosexual, because you don’t live in his skin.” They point to the scripture and say, “Stretch not forth thy hand against the Lord’s anointed.” “That man was born that way, or God made him that way.” And to further prop up their exhortations against us, they quote verses like Matthew 7:1-2.
To judge or not to judge, that is the question.
Part of problem is in defining what it is “to judge .”
There are three common words in the New Testament translated “to judge,” and they all related. They are ”krino,” “anakrino” and “diakrino.” They all refer to making a choice or discernment based upon some sort of investigation. Sometimes the word involves condemnation – “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” – John 12:48. “They that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him” – Acts 13:27. Obviously the judgment against the man who rejects Christ will carry punishment with it. But sometimes the word means a simple resolve – “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go” – Acts 3:13. “I DETERMINED not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” – I Corinthians 2:2. A third use of the word “krino” means “to govern” as is Matthew 19:28 – “Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” And another interesting use of the Jesus’ word is found in Hebrews 11:11 – “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.”
What I am trying to point out is that only sometimes does “to judge” refer to harsh criticism or censure. And that is why at times the Bible sometimes commands judgment while at other times condemns it.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the disputed passages about judgment.
Parallel to what we have in Matthew 7 there is Luke 6:37 – “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall l not be condemned; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” What kind of judgment is Jesus condemning here, compared to judgment which He does not condemn? Does the Lord condemn forming favorable opinions about people? Are we not supposed to note whether or not a man is charitable or exceptionally wise? Does the Saviour forbid the jury trial of man suspected of murder – he could actually be innocent. Does God tell us not to think about or carefully choose our closest friends? Does the Lord contradict I Corinthians 6 which says that the saints shall judge (“krino”) angels? Does He destroy now what He orders in Matthew 18 about excommunicating sinful church members? To quote the Jaimison, Fausset and Brown Commentary: “The context makes it clear that the thing here condemned is that disposition (predetermination) to look unfavorably on the character and actions of others, which leads invariably to the pronouncing of rash, unjust and unlovely judgment upon them.” The point is – no one wants judgment made without regard to the facts. This passage doesn’t forbid discerning or analyzing things, but it does condemn rash, unjust judgment. And it condemns the attitude, which some people have of constantly and unnecessarily judging everything and everyone around them. Try your best to discern things as situations warrant it, but don’t be constantly judging and condemning everything about which you disagree. If you make that a pattern your life; you will find it made a rule against you.
Now let’s take a look at I Corinthians 4:3-5 – “With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” The mistake in interpreting this passage is assuming Paul only refers to criticism. The fact is he’s talking about undo praise as much as he is criticism. Paul was dealing with the cliques and factions in the church of Corinth. And in the process he no where even hints that Peter or Apollos were guilty of anything wrong. What was wrong was the church divisions over them. Some members of the church were unduly elevating their heros over the next guy’s heros at the expense of the glory due unto the Lord. Only God knows the true nature of His servants. As Paul confessed himself – he was ill-equipped to even judge his own faithfulness and heart. This is not to outlaw the scrutinizing of a man’s doctrinal statement or his public sins. But you and I are not capable of accurately judging a man’s heart and motives.
Another scripture on this subject is Romans 14. Verse 1 – “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Notice verse 10 – “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” As you read these words, notice that the most of the stern words are reserved for the judges rather than the judgees. This chapter deals with preferences, ideas and personal ideals. Some of the brethren kept special days as holy, such as Passover, maybe even Christmas and Easter. Others didn’t. And some ate meat bought from idolatrous butchers while others refused that kind of meat, apparently thinking that they would be idolatrously poisoned somehow. Paul clearly teaches that it is wrong to break fellowship with someone over such differences in opinions. But what if those people were caught stealing that meat? Judge him. What if that Christian was worshiping Estar at Easter? Don’t judge him? What if he said that Santa Claus was Christ? Shouldn’t he be condemned? Absolutely. Paul would judge and condemn those people as a shame to the cause of Christ. Romans 14 doesn’t denounce the rebuke of sin or heresy. But it does condemn attacking people whose non-sinful convictions differ with ours.
Turn now to James 4:11-12 – “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” Does this say that we should never publically criticize another believer? No. Does it tell us not to call false doctrine false? Does James say that Christ was wrong in publicly exposing the sinful church member? No! This forbids evil speaking, backbiting, slander and malicious false judgment. But to tell the truth about someone’s obvious sin is not evil speaking about him. When the scriptures clearly condemn someone’s doctrine then it should be called “heresy.”
These are verses used by the liberal to discourage the Christian from examining the faith and practice of others.
Now let’s flip the coin over and look at the verses commanding us to judge others.
Matthew 7 begins by telling us to be cautious in our judgment. But then there are verses 15-20 – “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” These verses give us a complete college course on judging others. It says that false prophets are a reality and a menace. It says that they can appear righteous and holy, clothing themselves in sheepskin. But they can and must be recognized – through the examination of their fruit. Verse 15 says “beware” which means “be aware, be watchful,” and this demands examination. “Examination” is another word for “judgment.” And what is the criteria for this judgment? The fruit of their ministry. We know that not all the fruit on a tree is good to eat. Some may have worms, or disease while some might be just fine. For example, sometimes the bad fruit of sin might grow on a tree next to fruit of “souls being saved.” But just because that might be true, it doesn’t mean that we have a right to ignore the sin or heresy. There are times when God’s people have to cry out – “There is wormy fruit here!”
I said that I Corinthians 4:5 is sometimes quoted against us; but in its shadow is I Corinthians 5. The highlights of the fifth chapter are these: Sin can be, and might be found in professing Christians – verse 1. Sin corrupts and pollutes, affecting not only the sinner, but others as well – verse 6. Just because the sinner is prominent doesn’t mean we can or should ignore his sin – verse 2. All sin must be mourned, denounced, and purged – verse 11. And in fact the situation is far more dangerous when the sin is in a professing Christian than when it’s in a non-Christian. If the open and blatant sinner is unrepentant then the he must be cut off from the fellowship – verse 9.
How about I John 4:1 – “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Note that this is a message to Christians. We are in danger of receiving false doctrine. Satan apparently camouflages his heresy by using the lips of professing believers. Wise Christians must try the spirit, the doctrine and motives of such men – analyzing, testing, judging and discarding the garbage.
Another important scripture is found in Acts 17:11 – “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Here we read that God commended those who judged the message of their teachers. But it was not a capricious judgment. They were testing doctrinal fruit by comparing it to the doctrinal standard – the Word. It is simply not logical to accept every word of every teacher. If a teacher of something false is honest, he will admit to error when informed about it. But what if he has scriptures which he honestly feels supports a position to which others disagree? What if two people both have scriptural arguments because there aren’t any definitive Biblical statements? Then you will simply need to get along while agreeing on everything else. Paul told the Romans to mark and avoid the false teachers; that demands discerning judgment.
This kind of judgment is absolutely essential for three reasons –
For the sake of the truth itself. Jude told the saints to earnestly contend for the faith. That demands discernment and judgment both of a man’s doctrine and of the man. And it certainly doesn’t mean that the faith is defenseless; it is eternal and incorruptible. But with Satan’s attack on the truth, many are not sure what the truth really is.
And this judgment is essential for the sake of the church. Let’s say some prominent preacher and author begins to defame the doctrine of the blood of Christ. Let’s say that over years he has gained quite a listening audience, winning their ears. He has said many thing which are good and right. But now he is teaching heresy, and his faithful sheep follow along in his footsteps. Quite often the teachings of one ministry can splash over onto other ministries and churches. Not every situation requires the naming of names, but some of them certainly do.
Then for the sake of souls, judgment is essential. And that is precisely why the world does not want us judging others. Either we are told not to criticize some evangelist because he is doing such a great work. Or we are told that if we appear critical, we shall stifle our own ministry and evangelism. If, for example, a man is denying the existence the Lake of Fire, either at that point or eventually, those people he is claiming to save, are not truly being truly redeemed. If that man is denying the ministry of the Holy Spirit then it is unlikely that the person is being regenerated by the Holy Spirit.
Judging others is sometimes essential. But it is essential that it be done. The Lord Jesus isn’t for bidding all judgment; He is telling us to be judicious in our judgment. “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” At some point you your judgment is going to be judged. And in the mean time you are going to be judged in the same way as you are judging others. “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”