judging someone.

[toddlermom]

i get so aggrevated at people when i state the facts about someone, and they say that i am judging them. i was talking with my grandmother the other day, and was telling her how upsetting it was that none of my family went to church, and that they werent' living right. she told me to quit "judging them". What does it mean to judge someone? The bible says that you should remove the plank from your eye so you can better see the splinter in your brothers eye. so does that mean that if you dont have that certain sin in your life that you can point it out to someone? the bible also says that you will be judged in the manner that you judge others. Help me understand what judging someone is, and when is it ok to do it, or is it ok?

[book_wirm]

Toddlermom,

It's a good question. I've heard the same line too. Let me be blatant first, and then I will expound on what I say with scripture. It has been my experience that those who most often use this line are those who are quite aware that their actions do not line up with clear teachings but have no intentions of changing. It is easier for them to say "Don't judge me" than for them to justify their behavior. But what do the scriptures say about judging?

The passage you refer to in your post of the beam in the eye is a valid example to begin with. The problem Jesus discusses is not that of judging in general (ie. calling sin sin) but rather of hypocritical judging: pointing out a sin that exists in another while containing the same or similar. Let's look at the passage.

Matthew 7:3-5

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but

considerest no the beam that is in thine own eye?

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine

eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thine own eye?

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt

thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

It is clear that while hypocritical judging is condemned we are in no wise forbidden to call out a sin in a brother (or sister). We see this by the language used: "then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.", The outcome is expected to be that we first ensure we are clear of a specific sin before we attempt to aid a brother/sister in dealing with it in their life.

I would point out the importance of the individual you are aiding being a brother/sister in Christ. Notice both the usage of the word in the above passage and Paul's teaching in the following example.

In I Corinthians chapter 5 Paul discusses the problem of a man within the church found to be in a grievous sin: that of having his father's wife. This was most likely not his biological mother, but rather his step-mother to use a modern term. Let's see what Paul says:

I Corintians 5:3, 12-13a

For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as

though I were present, [concerning] him that hath so done this dee,

For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge

them that are within?

But them that are without God judgeth.

The only judgement we can make against a non-believer is whether they have eternal life or no (and let us remember that this is no final judgement as man's judgement is not perfect: it is God's judgement that matters). Concerning those within in the faith, however, we are to judge their behavior. It is important to remember that we will be judged with the judgement which we judge (Mat. 7:2) but this does not prohibit our judgement of sin in our midst. It only give further force to Jesus' requirement for non-hypocritical judging.

There will no doubt be opinions contrary to the one I have presented. These will most likely be based on Romans 14:10 and I Cor. 4:3. I will withhold comment on these two passages for now. I encourage you to read them and the passages I have presented and pray about it. Follow the leading of the Spirit in this matter and hold to the teaching of the Scripture.

One last note: if the family members which you are concerned for are not Christians I would advise you to lay off commenting on their lack of church attendance and wrongful living as these have no power to save and may only confuse the message of Christ which you present to them. If they are unsaved expect them to live as unsaved. A duck quacks, a dog barks, those not born of God do not His works. Concentrate on presenting the Good News of Jesus to them. It is only after they have been taught this in their heart, by the Father, that they will even possess the ability to please God by their actions.

I hope this has been of some help.

In Christ,

Eric

[EricH]

My understanding is that we are commanded to "judge: the rightness or wrongness of actions. Several places in scripture we are commanded to avoind believers who engage in sinful behavior. In order to avoid them we need to be able to jusdge if they are doing it or not. We are no however free to pronounce sentences that are reseved for God namely:

1. Motives

2. Eternal status

3. Punishment

HTH

[Gerioke]

I would say that if we judge somebody while we ourselves aren't living 100% Godly lives are in danger of incurring heavier judgement from the Lord.

[yomotalking]

To judge would be to critise someone else cruely. (and usually without reason.)

Yomo

[Abigailwc]

A judge pronounces sentences, condemning somebody or declaring that person innocent. We do not have the right to do the same for many reasons, one of them being that it is impossible for us to know someone's heart as God does. Jesus said:

John 7:24

"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment"

How can we mere humans judge with righteous judgement? This is why we should abstain from it.

Now, God calls us to admonish each other (christians to christians):

Colossians 3:16

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

There is a difference.

[toddlermom]

 

      One last note: if the family members which you are concerned for are not Christians I would advise you to lay off commenting on their lack of church attendance and wrongful living as these have no power to save and may only confuse the message of Christ which you present to them. If they are unsaved expect them to live as unsaved. A duck quacks, a dog barks, those not born of God do not His works. Concentrate on presenting the Good News of Jesus to them. It is only after they have been taught this in their heart, by the Father, that they will even possess the ability to please God by their actions.

See, these family members of mine "say"that they are saved and are christian. of course, it's not my decision it's God's. but there lives dont necessarily display that of a christian...they dont go to church, the go to the casino, language not bad, but they let a few words slip now and then...im not saying they arent saved,b/c like i said thats between them and God...but do i have a right to say something to them...or is that judgeing them wrongly?

[BigJer]

John 3:16 was the most known scripture in America. Now it is "Judge not that you would not be judged".

It is a part of this world's attitude that everything is OK. There is no sin. I've heard the same thing SO much.

The fact is there is sin. John Wesley preached on our duty to reprove our neighbor. How far we have come from that!

[Catsmeow]

I would say that if we judge somebody while we ourselves aren't living 100% Godly lives are in danger of incurring heavier judgement from the Lord.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No offense, Geri... I honestly don't know ONE soul who's living a 100% godly life. All of us continue to sin, either by sins of omission or commission. We haven't reached perfection in our flesh yet. Our perfection is in Christ alone.

Jesus rebukes the pharisees for condemning sinners. While the pharisees appear outwardly holy, inwardly they're ravenous wolves and sorely lacking in true godliness.

Toddlermom: I don't know that "going to church" is the end-all to godly living. Many folks warm the pews but cut each other off in the parking lot.

Godliness is all about each one of us learning to develop the nature and character of our Savior, Jesus Christ. That takes a lifetime - a process we call, "sanctification".

Sister, I'd just get on my knees before the Lord and pray for your family if you think they're on the wrong path. That's the most loving thing you can give them.

It's frustrating when people turn away from the Lord. Love them and pray for them. God can change hearts. We can't.

Bless you, Sis... Cats

[Guest PistosHuios]

The word krino meaning "I judge" is most simply understood as to decide, or to make a final decision. When we're talking about "deciding on people" I think we need to keep this in mind. The word has no negative connotation whatsoever. Jesus was simply saying that if you're going to Judge, to it right, make sure you're clean before you start working on others.

If a doctor hadn't slept in 24 hours, would you want him working on your body? If he was sick, what good would it be if he tried to heal you, and only put you at more risk.

I think the warning is this, when you come to the point of making decisions about people, you make sure you're life is clean, and right, because the moment you begin to make decisions in regards to people, people will do the same to you.

In a very real sense, Matthew 7 is a requirement for the righteous TO judge. IF your right with God, then you are right to make those decisions. Once you do get the "beam" out of your eye, you can see better to help your brother. This is not a verse about being Critical, this is an exhortation to those who are in the position to help a brother, and that exhortation is if your going to help your brother, make sure your capable, before you do.

Galatians 6:1 is a great illustration of what Jesus was saying "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself lest you too be tempted."

So this verse has nothing to do with modern day undstanding of "judging". This is talking about those who judge, who make decisions about people, that they need to be right, in order to right another.