Should a Christian Judge?
Peter and John Healing
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Friends and Unbelievers,
Have you heard this from people who profess to be Christians? “Do not judge others.” But where is this said in the Bible and does Jesus really say not to judge others? For Christians who do not know the word of God, this might shock you, but it is perfectly okay to judge, but there are conditions explained in the Bible as to who can judge and how to judge. Now let’s take a look at scripture.
First, the most popular “don’t judge” scripture among professing Christians is in Matthew 7:1: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” This clearly says if you judge expect to get judged by the same measure. Do not be a hypocrite. Hypocritical judgment is a sin. What is hypocritical judgment? If one is preaching to a drunkard about sobriety, yet is himself a drunkard, this is hypocritical judgment. But it does not say flatly, “Do not judge.” Jesus said "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16, 20). Dr. James McGinley put it this way, “I am no judge, but I am a fruit inspector.” “And we can tell when a Christian is producing fruit.” (J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible, pg.40 Vol. IV). Remove the plank out of your own eye, that is, examine yourself first and correct yourself that you are not judging hypnotically or being harsh absent of facts or motive.
Second, in 1 Corinthians 2:15 the scripture says “But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.” A believer, a true child of God judges all things because of his discernment and knowledge of the scriptures; he has spiritual discernment and he understands. Nonbelievers (natural man) and false Christians cannot judge righteously because they do not have spiritual discernment or knowledge. Furthermore, unbelievers are deceived and believe the spiritual man is spouting foolishness. The natural man is blinded of truth while the spiritual man speaks truth. The Holy Spirit is in the spiritual man. So, a true believer can judge all things because he has spiritual discernment.
Third, in John 7:24 Jesus says “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” This says it is okay to judge, just make righteous judgment. The scripture before this had to do with being circumcised on the Sabbath, eight days after the baby’s birth. Holding to the law that the circumcision could not be held on the Sabbath is superficial. Also, judging on appearance could also mean physical appearance, such as dress, skin color or ethnicity. Judge righteous judgment not by appearance. Again, it is perfectly okay to judge others with righteous judgment.
Fourth, we know in 1 Corinthians 6:2 that the righteous will judge the world: “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Yes, we [saints] have permission to judge.
Fifth, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). And this is how we should judge. We should judge not from our own will but the will of our Father. Set your judgment as righteous judgment according to scripture. Be certain you know your scripture before you carryout God’s will.
Sixth, “Do you not know that we shall judge angels? (1 Corinthians 6:3). In this life we are lower than the angels, but in our new life we are set higher than the angles and we will judge them. God has planned this all out for His children. Although, this scripture does not confirm judging on this earth, it does tell us that we will be elevated above the angels and that we will judge them. This shows the power God is giving us and that the righteous have the power, given by God, to judge.
Seventh, in Leviticus 19:15 it says: “You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.” Sadly, this scripture, from the Moral and Ceremonial Laws of the Israelite's, is contrary to what is happening in government today where there is partiality to the poor (welfare, entitlement programs, etc.) and honors for the mighty (exceedingly wealthy, politicians and government appointees). We must, as God commands, judge righteously, not hypocritically.
A righteous Christian should judge and judge frequently when he sees wicked behavior contrary to God’s will. Most Christians do not judge, because they have come to believe “just don’t judge.” But if you have examined yourself, and you are not hypocritical, and you are offering righteous judgment according to scripture, there in nothing wrong with judging. In fact, you really are not judging, you are simply stating scripture and God’s law and commands. A righteous believer should correct all Christians who are following a lukewarm path. And all Christians should herald their voices to the wicked as messengers of God to share the Gospel [Good News], the truth of Jesus Christ. It is out of love that we correct all who are on the wrong path; and this means professing Christians who have been deceived or those lacking knowledge and spiritual discernment.
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Mihran Kulhanjian is President and Founder of Christian Revival Mission.