BIBLICALLY JUDGING

Routinely, we are told that the Bible forbids judging. To support this view, Jesus’ words, “Judge not that you not be judged,” are often cited against us. However, this should not be regarded as a teaching against judging but rather as an admonition that unless we first judge ourselves, we remain too blind to judge others:

• “You hypocrite, 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; also Romans 2:1-5)

Instead, making judgments are a necessary part of life. It is also Biblical. Jesus and the Hebrew Prophets did their share of judging. We are required to judge our children. God ordained the civil magistrate to punish with the sword and the Israelites to bring judgment against the Canaanite nations. The Church is to judge the unrepentant in our midst, and we are to correct our brethren when they go astray:

• My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20; Galatians 6:1-3)

The Church is even faulted when they fail to judge (Revelation 2:14, 20). Meanwhile, when the Church judges Biblically, it receives the commendation of God (Revelation 2:10).

However, we cannot judge the heart, the motives of others, because we only see superficially (1 Samuel 16:7). Therefore, our judgments should be restricted to behaviors and not to the intentions of the heart. We usually overstep when we say, “You are doing this because______.”

I think that this is why Paul was confident that he could dismiss others’ judgments against him:

• As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due. (1 Corinthians 4:3-5 NLT)

The motives of the heart are deep, often unsearchable (Jeremiah 17:9). This would explain why Paul could say that he is unaware of any unconfessed sin, but that God might later reveal what had eluded him.

Of course, we are to judge ourselves. This is because we should be somewhat aware of our actions and even the intentions of our heart (1 Corinthians 11:30-32). Besides, the Holy Spirit through His Word, reveals these to us (Philippians 3:15). Therefore, the closer we are to the Light, the more our secret and buried motives will be exposed. However, even Paul hadn’t arrived, but there will come a time that we will be able to understand as we are now understood by our God (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:1-2), when everything will be revealed.

Besides, our judgments have to be compassionate and humble, knowing that we too are subject and sometimes succumb to the same deadly temptations (Galatians 6:1-3). Therefore, we also have to be ready to receive an errant brother back into fellowship once they repent (Luke 17:3-4).