JUDGEMENT--really confused about it...

[DaughterofKing]

Judging others, I am confused about what I am to do or how I am to do it. When I see someone make a sinful comment or have a sinful belief or living a sinful life, what I am supposed to do? Can someone point out scripture to lead me to the truth of the matter please?

[apothanein kerdos]

I think you'll find some good advice in this thread that you made a couple of months ago dealing with the same issue.

[Guest LadyC]

judgement should only be done according to biblical principals, DOK, never according to our own personal bias, or by worldly standards. if one is conducting themselves in a sinful manner, or with haughtiness or hateful criticism, then they should be rebuked in a LOVING manner. never with a vicious tongue lest we be guilty of sinning in our approach to that person.

should the person persist in their sinful behaviour or attitude, then we should no longer hang around them. but we SHOULD continue to pray for them.

[Keith]

Hello DoK!

Matthew 7:1-5 talk about not judging others. When you look at the context of how Jesus is talking about it, it makes more sense.

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Unfortunately, whenever a Christian points out an issue of sin with another person, they get angry and defensive and say, "Don't judge me!" Confronting an issue or sin is not judging someone. That's not what the verse is saying. When we read the rest of the passage, we see that Jesus tells us not to be hypocrites by judging other people when we ourselves are sinning even more-so. If we see someone with a sin (a speck of dust in their eye), we must be careful that we don't have a bigger sin (a plank) in our own lives.

As Christians, whenever we address an issue or sin in another person, we are commanded to do it with respect and lovingly with a motive of gently bringing about repentance. In this manner, it isn't judging. It's pointing out the truth in hopes of bringing the person to a point of repentance. James 5:20 says, "remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

2 Timothy 4:2 says, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage

[Guest NewPilgrim]

DoK, I think you will find this study at moriel.org to be very helpful in answering your concern.

[DaughterofKing]

Ok, I understand this but I mean, if I am at say a company party and I see a homosexual man talking about his lover over the buffet table, am I supposed to walk up to him and say, "Hi, I just wanted you to know that homosexuality is a sin and if you do not repent you will go to hell."

I mean are there times when I just keep my mouth shut?

[Guest LadyC]

Ok, I understand this but I mean, if I am at say a company party and I see a homosexual man talking about his lover over the buffet table, am I supposed to walk up to him and say, "Hi, I just wanted you to know that homosexuality is a sin and if you do not repent you will go to hell."

I mean are there times when I just keep my mouth shut?

well, if your approach would be to say "if you don't repent you'll go to hell" then i'd say that would be a time to say nothing. there are ways to speak to people that will lead them TO Christ, and ways that will chase them further away from Christ than you could possibly forsee. you're still young, and somewhat brash, as i've experienced firsthand... but, as you mature physically, emotionally, and primarily spiritually you will learn to let the Holy Spirit guide you in what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. at a dinner party is not the place. in front of a group of people is not the time. with a caustic tone is not the how.

the "repent or die" method is one that is used by reverand phelps and his group. they do more harm for the kingdom of God than anything else... because they do it without a godly disposition. if you're going to do the Lord's work, you have to be led by the Holy Spirit. if meekness and humbleness are absent in your approach, if you confront a person without love and compassion, and without following the guidelines set forth in scripture, than it's not for God's glory that the work is getting done.

Edited January 30, 2006 by LadyC

[MK202002]

Ok, I understand this but I mean, if I am at say a company party and I see a homosexual man talking about his lover over the buffet table, am I supposed to walk up to him and say, "Hi, I just wanted you to know that homosexuality is a sin and if you do not repent you will go to hell."

I mean are there times when I just keep my mouth shut?

unfortunatly, timing and discerning is a skill that has to be developed with experience. You will always get negative reactions from people sometimes, but if you use God's word:

Isaiha 55: 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

You won't goof something up if you are doing it with the right attitude. The person might not want to listen to you, but they will remember, and who knows? They could accept it at a later time. Be for God everywhere, all the time.

I mean, if someone is bawling thier eyes out, it may not be time for a strong message, and if someone is loving living the sinful life, it's not time for a gentle message, but don't worry, God's Spirit will guide you when you are unsure.

[SharingTheGoodNews]

Judging others, I am confused about what I am to do or how I am to do it. When I see someone make a sinful comment or have a sinful belief or living a sinful life, what I am supposed to do? Can someone point out scripture to lead me to the truth of the matter please?

Hi DaughterofKing

Respecting the company party, you were wise not to have made the statement. It could have lead to an argument. This person may have perceived you as "prejudice" instead of the caring Christian who wants to help teach him what God thinks on his lifestyle. This requires the use of discernment and tact. You may ask him a question when you are alone with him at lunch, before or after work may help. You may say, "I over heard you at the company party" concerning your boyfriend,...how long have you two been together? You may ask too, what do you think about the way Christians view your lifestyle? By all means just listen. Do not comment on anything until he finishes expressing his thoughts. This way you can discern on whether to talk to him more of what God thinks or to just not say anything more to him about it. This could lead to more conversations later on about this sensitive topic. Not everyone will listen or want to change. This is a given. (Matt. 13:14,15)

When ever you need help, please by all means write.

Colossians 4:6 (New International Version)

6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.