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From the Apologetics Study Bible:
"Who Are You to
Judge Others,"
by Paul Copan
Hands down, Matthew 7:1 is the most frequently quoted
Bible verse today: "Do not judge, so that you will not be judged." It's
been twisted to mean we can't say someone's action or lifestyle is
wrong. However, when someone says, "Don't judge," he's judging you for
judging someone else. You've done wrong by saying someone else has done
wrong! Clearly, we can't escape making moral judgments. Furthermore, in
the same context of the oft-quoted verse, Jesus made a more judgment
about certain persons, using metaphors about "dogs and "pigs" (Matthew
7:6), stressing that we shouldn't continue to present God's grace to
those who persistently scoff and ridicule. At some point we must shake
the dust off our feet and move on to the more receptive Mt 10:14; Acts
13:51). On the other hand, Jesus commanded, "Stop judging according to
outward appearances; rather judge according to righteous judgment
(John 7:24).
How do we resolve the apparent tension? By taking note of the
spirit in which we make judgments. Do we think we're superior (the
attitude Jesus condemned), or are we assessing actions or attitudes with
a spirit of humility and concern, recognizing our own weaknesses
(1Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 6:1)? In Matthew 7:5, Jesus told us first
to examine ourselves (removing the log from our own eye), then we can
help our brother or sister (taking the speck out of his or her eye). So
there is a problem to be dealt with - but only after
self-examination. The wrong kind of judging is condemning. The right
kind of judging is properly evaluating moral (or doctrinal) matters with
a humble, helpful attitude (In 1 Cor. 5:5, "judging" - even
excommunicating - is required in light of a church member's shameless
sexual misconduct.) We should treat others the way we would want to be
treated (compare Mt. 7:12), thinking, There, but for the grace of
God, go I.
So when discussing judging with others, first clarify what you mean
by the word "judge." This can serve as the context for clarifying right
and wrong kinds of judgment. Further, we must take care to avoid the
"Who am I to say So-and-So is wrong?" mentality. We can't shrink from
making moral judgments, nor can we excape them - lest we declare it
wrong to say another is wrong.
Also,
The difference between judgment and
accountability
by John Fischer
Jesus was very clear on judging another person. He said not to do it.
(Matthew 7:1) But what about holding one another accountable to the
truth? Don't we bear some responsibility for each other? And if we are
to do this for someone, doesn't that involve judging them at some point?
Accountability is an important part of any relationship,
especially one with a shared purpose in following Christ. We need each
other in order to stay on the right track. The lures and temptations of
this life are too great to handle alone. Paul writes, "If someone is
caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore that person
gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
What's the difference between judging and confronting?
Confronting involves doing something. Judging is all in your head.
Confronting has an element of humility involved, because you know your
own susceptibility to the same temptations. Judging always makes you
better than someone in your own mind. And confronting always means
direct contact. Judging is an evil little secret you keep to yourself or
share with others in the form of gossip.
Years ago, a friend of mine was struggling over doing
the right thing in an important decision he had to make. Another friend
and I got the idea to go surprise him and help provide support for his
decision. It didn't matter that it was a 10- hour drive to get to him
(that was the surprise part) we wanted to show up as an act of loving
confrontation to help him face the truth.
Now had we not made that trip, and had I used his moral
failure as a means of making me seem better in my own eyes, and had I
talked to others in ways that might demean him (even asking others to
pray - – a favorite evangelical form of acceptable gossip) that would
have been judging him. But instead we told no one, but went directly to
him with our concern for him and the result was a big boost for all
three of us.
I can't even tell you now what the issue was, or what he
did about it -- – it's been too long now -- – but what I do remember is
how blown away he was that we would care enough to go see him in person.
And I know I still have a friend today.
If you ever catch yourself putting down someone in your
mind, stop and realize you are judging that person, and then consider if
you might be the one to go confront him or her in love. Put your
information into action, or put it away and leave it with God. To harbor
something in your heart about someone and not confront that person is to
be a private judge, and the only one that really hurts is you.
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