JUDGING OTHERS

What does Jesus mean when he says – “Judge NOT, that you be not judged” in Matt 7:1. Is he telling us that we can never judge anyone?
No. Jesus did not intend to forbid judgements of all kinds. When Jesus said, “Judge not”, he forbade unkind, unjustified and improper censure resulting from hasty and superficial investigation, and without regard for the well being of the person, or persons, criticized.

What kind of judgments can we make about people?
We can make righteous judgments - John 7:24; Prov 31:9.

As a Christian we are to “have our senses exercised to discern (judge) both good and evil - Heb 5:14. This takes judgment.

What does “judge with righteous judgment” mean in John 7:24?
It means, we can judge people according to the righteous guidelines that God has given us. If a person is following those guidelines, then we can rightly judge that that person is doing right. If that person is NOT following those guidelines, then we can rightly judge that they are doing wrong.

We can judge a person by there fruits, what a person lives – Matt 7:15-20.
As a tree is know by its fruit, so do we judge of the character of men by their conduct. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned – Tit 3:10,11. Paul made a judgment about someone – from what he had heard from other Christians - 1 Cor 5:1-3.

We are NOT to judge a person by there appearance – John 7:24.

If we are doing the same things, then we have NO right to judge someone else. This is hypocritical judging - Rom 2 :1-3.

It is the duty of the church to withdraw from those who walk disorderly, and this of course requires passing judgment upon the conduct, and disposition, of the person, or persons, involved – 2 Thes 3:6.

We can judge who is causing division by the doctrine they teach.
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them – Rom 16:17.

There are occasions when it is necessary, for the good of the brotherhood, to speak out boldly and positively against men and movements, in the church, which threaten its peace and its purity.
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith – 1 Tim 1:3,4.

To fail to speak out boldly and positively against men and movements, in the church, which threaten its peace and its purity, when the Cause we love is beset by those who would destroy it, is to become derelict in duty and faithless to our trust. Paul positively declared that we judge them that are within, that is, within the church, an action requiring an appraisal of the character and conduct of those particularly involved…
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." – 1 Cor 5:12.

Even though disputes between brothers in Christ is a shame and should not occur (v. 7), non-the less they may happen. If so, we are to take these disputes, before fellow Christians and not before the ungodly.
1If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 2Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! 5I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6But instead, one brother goes to law against another--and this in front of unbelievers! 7The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers – 1 Cor 6:1-8.

Judgments issuing from civil courts, when not in violation of God’s higher laws, are to be accepted…
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience – Rom 13:1-5.

The judgment of God is according to Truth – Rom 2:2.

What is truth?
The word is truth – John 17:17

We are to judge according to truth – Rom 2:2
The word will judge you – John 12:48.
God will judge the lost. We are to judge those in the church – 1 Cor 5:10-13.
We will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ – 2 Cor 5:10, 11.
Every work (that we do) will be judged – Eccl 12:13,14.
There is no partiality (in judgment) with God – Rom 2:11.

The court of Jesus Christ
1. Jesus is the judge – Acts 10:42
2. We will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ – 2 Cor 5:10.
3. Righteous judge – 2 Tim 4:8.
4. God shall judge by Jesus – Rom 2:16.

The court of (one’s own) conscience – a person’s conscience cannot pronounce himself or herself innocent, only God can do that.
1. A conscience, like a watch, must be tuned to the correct standard to be useful.
2. The conscience can fail us
a. Seared – 1 Tim 4:2
b. Ignorant – 1 Tim 1:13
c. Evil – Heb 10:22

Our hearts judge us, we know whether we are right or wrong – 1 John 3:19-21
Live in good conscience – Acts 23:1
A conscience void of offense – Acts 24:16.

The court of Public Opinion
Christians should not ignore public opinion:
1. Elders must have a good reputation – 1Tim 3:7 – must have a good report (that would be making a judgment about them)
2. A congregation should desire to be viewed well by the world – 1 Cor 14:23.
3. The church found favor with men in the 1st century – Acts 2:47.
4. Jesus found favor with men as a child – Luke 2:52.

The desire to gain favorable public opinion must never compromise our faithfulness to God – Gal 1:10.