Should Christians Judge?

It has become quite popular for people to throw around some form of Matthew 7:1 that says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Many people have grown reluctant to pass judgment on what others are doing and have developed a “to each his own” attitude. But, should we, as Christians, judge? The answer is a resounding “No.” And, it is a definite “Yes.” We have to take a closer look at the meaning of the word and the context in scripture to better understand.

The word ‘judge’ is used in different ways in the New Testament. One way it is used is to describe someone who rules, governs or presides over a people with the power of giving judicial decisions. No, we shouldn’t do this kind of judging because most of us don’t occupy this position. It is for kings and judges and to those who are appointed in Matthew 19:28 and Luke 22:30 who will judge the 12 tribes at the end times.

Another use of the word “judge” has to do with pronouncing decisions severely with a critical spirit, or finding fault. This kind of judging is warned against in Matthew 7:1 mentioned above and a parallel passage in Luke 6:37. We also see that we shouldn’t judge if we are doing the same things, also know as being hypocritical, (Romans 2:1); another man’s servant (Romans 14:4); someone who eats meat when we don’t (Romans, 14:3); and in relation to new moons, Sabbath days, or holidays (Colossians 2:16). The Bible is clear that each person will have to answer for what was done in this life (2 Corinthians 5:10). But it is not our place to severely, critically judge someone with a harsh spirit.

But most people are misusing this term. They have taken a biblical word and put their own definition to it – which is one of Satan’s favorite strategies.

Here is the crux of it: We don’t get to decide what is right or wrong. But then again, we don’t need to. God has already decided what is right and wrong, or put another way, what is righteous and what is sinful. These Truths have been carefully recorded in the Bible. Neither do we get to decide who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. God has already decided what will happen to people who do not get forgiveness of sins or who live in sin. It’s not our place to do any of this.

But, we can use discernment or make a moral judgment. We can tell someone when the Word of God says they are wrong according to His Word. And it is even our responsibility to do so as Christians.

Look back to Matthew 7:1. Jesus says that we shouldn’t judge, and then warns that however we judge others is how we are going to be judged, that is, we will be held to the same standard that we hold others to. And this is a problem with some, they don’t want to be held to any standard. But you can’t get away from standards if you are a follower of Christ.

Back to our text, after the warning, Jesus makes a comparison of a beam and mote. How can we get the mote (a tiny speck) out of someone else’s eye when we ourselves have a beam (a huge board) in our own eye? But even in this passage Jesus tells us that if we get the beam out of our eye then we can help others with their specks. The key here is the humility to know that we have problems of our own as expressed in Galatians 6:1 where we are told to help restore someone who is overtaken in a fault.

In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus actually commands us to confront sin. I Corinthians 5 tells us to deal with immorality in the church and to take care who we keep company with. We are told in 1 Timothy 5:20 to rebuke sinners before all that others may fear. Romans 16:17 speaks of marking and avoiding those who cause divisions and have non-biblical doctrine.

Those are just a few of the New Testament examples. The Old Testament has many more. Proverbs 14:7 says to go from the presence of a foolish man. Proverbs 22:24 tells us not to make friends with an angry man. I could go on and on. But I hope by now you are beginning to get the point.

In our Christian life, we have to make decisions every day. Some of those decisions are based on judgments we make through observations of those around us. How can we avoid an angry man until we judge that someone is angry? How can we restore a brother unless we judge that he is in error? How can the lost see the difference in Christians if we allow those who are living in open sin to continue to do so in our churches?

Don’t let yourself to be muzzled from speaking truth. And don’t cower in the corner because you are afraid of being called “judgmental.” But do it with kindness and with God’s Word. Base your standards on the Bible and not what you feel is right or wrong.

“These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:” – Zechariah 8:16