JUDGMENTAL

Article by Dr. Brian Campbell, from: "Godly Counsel: Scriptures for today's world..."

Copyright, 2010  All rights reserved.

 

 

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.”

(Luke 6:37)

 

“Rebuke  a discerning man, and he

will gain knowledge.”

(Proverbs 19:25)

 

 

Judgmental : inclined to pass judgment or condemn

Rebuke : to convey one’s disapproval of; reprove

 

 

Christians must exercise great care and discernment when judg­ing the actions of other human beings. We must be especially careful not to condemn others or be hypocritical .  We must keep in mind that we ourselves are not perfect, and have our own sin with which to contend.  However, this does not mean that Christians should avoid judging the actions of others altogether.  It is our Christian obligation to rebuke others who are caught in sin so that they may repent  and restore their relationship with God.

 

Synopsis

 

Jesus preached that human beings should exercise caution and restraint when judging others.^1,2  He emphasized that we should not  judge  (that is, condemn) others when we ourselves are engaging

 

Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn,

and you will not be condemned.

(Luke 6:37)¹

 

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.

(Matthew 7:1-2)²

                 

in the same or even “greater” sins.³ Such actions would be hypocritical .⁴

 

Similar cautions about judging others are given elsewhere in the Bible.  For example, if we pass judgment on others when we our­selves are engaging in the same sin, we bring condemnation upon ourselves,⁵ and we will not escape God’s judgment.⁶

 

God is the only true judge of mankind.^7,8  On the final day of judgment, it is God to whom we will have to give an account of our lis--

 

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?

(Matthew 7:3-4)³

 

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.

(Matthew 7:5)⁴

 

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment

on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other,

you are condemning yourself, because you who

pass judgment do the same things.

(Romans 2:1)⁵

 

So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them

and yet do the same things, do you think you

will escape God’s judgment?

(Romans 2:3)⁶

 

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able

to save and destroy.

(James 4:12)⁷

 

It is the Lord who judges me.  Therefore, judge nothing

before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.

(1 Corinthians 4:4-5)⁸

 

 

 

 

 

 

lives—not man.⁹  We should seek to be ready for the day of God’s judgment.  For Christians, this will be a day when we are judged in terms of the rewards we will receive in heaven .^10,11 

 

God’s Guidance

 

Despite biblical warnings against judging others—especially hypo­critica l judgment—it is clear from the Scriptures  that we should rebuke our fellow Christians when they are caught in sin and are breaking God’s moral laws.¹²  Such rebuke is important to help restore the person to righteousness, and is a way of showing love for the sinner.¹³  In the end, rebuking a sinner from the error of his ways can save his life.¹⁴

 

The Bible does not contain any standard “formula” for rebuking others.  In some instances the Scriptures  recommend that rebuke shoul

d

 

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.

(Romans 14:12-13)⁹

 

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those

who are in Christ Jesus.

(Romans 8:1)¹⁰

 

Behold I am coming soon!  My reward is with me,

and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
(Revelation 22:12)¹¹

So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him,

and if he repents, forgive him. 
(Luke 17:3)¹²

 

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline .

So be earnest, and repent . 
(Revelation 3:19)¹³

 

My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth  

and someone should bring him back, remember this:

Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will

save him from death and cover over

a multitude of sins.

(James 5:19-20)¹⁴

 

should be frank,¹⁵ but gentle.¹⁶  Elsewhere, it recommends that rebuke should be public, so that it serves as a warning to others.¹⁷  Finally, the Bible recommends that when we rebuke someone, we use great patience and care.¹⁸ 

 

Perhaps the most effective way of rebuking another person is to simply “speak the truth  in love.”¹⁹ Humbly point the sinner to God’s commandments and the truth  as contained in the Holy Scriptures ; the Word of God was designed for such purposes.²⁰

 

In the final analysis, rebuke is not something to be avoided, but embraced.  If a fellow Christian rebukes you, consider yourself fortunate.²¹ You would be wise to listen to rebuke and learn as much as you

 

Rebuke  your neighbor frankly

so you will not share in his guilt . 
(Leviticus 19:17)¹⁵

 

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin,

you who are spiritual should restore him gently. 

But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 
(Galatians 6:1)¹⁶

 

Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly,

so that the others may take warning.
(1 Timothy 5:20)¹⁷

 

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;

correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience

and careful instruction.

(2 Timothy 4:2)¹⁸

 

Instead, speaking the truth  in love, we will in all things

grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 
(Ephesians 4:15)¹⁹

 

All Scripture  is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,

rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 
(2 Timothy 3:16)²⁰

 

Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold

is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.

(Proverbs 25:12)²¹

 

 

 

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