Friday, August 01, 2008

Who Are You To Judge?

Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
(1 Corinthians 6:2-3 – ESV)

Judge not, that you be not judged (Matthew 7:1). This verse has become the hue and cry of heretics and backsliders everywhere, not to mention secular scam artists and those who might think they are saved but only become bible scholars when their freedom to sin is challenged.

The next time someone tries to use Matthew 7:1 as some sort of defense for irresponsibility, heresy, or wickedness, show them these verses from 1 Corinthians 6.

They might say, “Yeah, but that isn’t what those verses are talking about.” To which I would say, “Exactly, and that is what I am trying to tell you about Matthew 7:1, so thanks for making my point for me”. I might also say, “Who are you to judge what I think they mean?” Hopefully they can see that we are indeed supposed to judge some things, like the application of these verses. Otherwise no one can even communicate with each other in any meaningful way.

These verses mean a particular thing, they apply not universally, but specifically, and principally, and that is the point. Matthew 7:1 is not a blanket statement against discernment, discretion, distinction, and determination of right and wrong. It is about being hypocritical, which ironically, those who use this verse as a universal prohibition against “judging” are guilty of themselves. Obviously we must make some distinctions. That requires judging things.

Of course you can also bring them to 1 Corinthians 5:12, “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”

The whole idea that we are not supposed to judge ideas, behavior, doctrine, faith and practice is more than ludicrous, it is lawlessness. Indeed, in the same chapter Jesus tells us that we will recognize false teachers by their fruit (Mathew 7:20). In other words we are all judges.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

12 comments:

Even So... said...

Judge rightly...

Anonymous said...

Amen brother!!

Even So... said...

You judgin' me...?

;-)

donsands said...

Very nice. When someone hits me with, "Hey, you can't judge him, thou shall not judge," I am always thrown back on my heels a bit.
I will make good use of this teaching JD.
Thanks.

Even So... said...

That was my hope Don, that it would help people to go through the smokescreen...be blessed my friend...

Even So... said...

Who am I to judge?

I am a Biblical Christian, that's who...

Kenny said...

Hey J.D., I saw your link on Jonathan's blog. Where do you live in citrus county? I lived there when I was a kid. I graduated from CRHS (Crystal River).

I'm also a pretty rabid gator fan too. nice to meet you.

BTW good post!

Even So... said...

Cool Kenny! The church is in Hernando, corner of 200 and 491, my wife and I live in Lecanto, she graduated from Citrus High, I came from the East Coast of Florida...

GO GATORS!!!

JoyfullyHis said...

There is a difference between what people call 'judging', in which they feel they are being condemned, and just speaking the truth. But it's interesting that you would post this at this time. Do you have to be So Judgemental?!
:D

JoyfullyHis said...

And I live in Sooner Country, yet I still say, Go Gators. :P

Zoarean said...

Krino ayto to arthro na einai kalo.

Joe said...

I have judged this to be a very well thought out, and well written post.