Judgment means many things. When we make an important purchase, we use our best judgement. At a dog show, judges determine which dog is Best of Breed, break the law, and you will find yourself in court, to be judged, and eventually, all will face God for a final judgement. In this study, we will attempt to discover some of the ways judgement is presented in the Bible. At the end of the study, you may or may not have learned anything valuable, but it will be up to you to Judge.
As we have already noted, there are different types of judgement, along with those, there are different outcomes or end results. Some are positive, others are negative. One of the positive outcomes, we often call discernment. In reality, discernment and judgement are not really a cause and effect, they are almost interchangeable. If I say, judge for yourself, I am really asking you to discern.
1 Cor 2:12-16
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that
we might know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in
words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual
thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the
Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because
they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he
himself is appraised by no man. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should
instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The word "appraised" above, is from the Greek word anakrino - "to examine, investigate, question". In different versions of the Bible, it is translated as "judged", appraised, discerned and examined for the 1 Cor 2 passage.
There is a reason that I started with this kind of judgement, and this verse in particular. As we are studying the Bible, we need to have this spiritual discernment, the ability to properly understand the things of God. This verse expresses the fact that an unbeliever cannot understand such things, they will not make sense to him. Most of us, have run into this when trying to explain these things to others, or perhaps, we can remember a time when we could not understand the. Because of this, we need to be patient with others, trying to help them to understand, without being condescending, but respectful. Having the mind of Christ, we have new abilities, but we also have our old selves as well, and this gets in the way. Therefore, we still need to expend effort and be cautious, as we still can, and do, get things wrong.
2 Tim 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be
ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.
However, while not everything can be understood apart from the work of the Spirit in us, many things can be. Speaking of the Jews in Berea, Luke writes:
Acts 17:
11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word
with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so.
12 Many of them therefore believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.
These noble people, were able to discern what they needed to, in order to to become
believers. Therefore, when we are telling people the things of God, they can receive them.
In some cases, it may not be immediate, so do not be frustrated.
1 Cor 3:
5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the
Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the
growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God
who causes the growth.
You may not be the one to see the fruit of your labors, but know that God is able to take
the seed you plant and bring forth growth.
Isa 55:8-11
8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,"
declares the LORD.
9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your
ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there
without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the
sower and bread to the eater;
11 So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent
it.
So, as we have seen so far, one type of judgement, is about accurately understanding God's word, which is done both through the evolvement of His Spirit, and through diligent work. This kind of right judgement, leads to spiritual growth and understanding. We are to deliver God's word to others, and know that it will have an effect.
How often have you heard someone say "I don't like that person" or "I don't like that church", because they are too judgmental. Perhaps you have heard someone say, "Don't judge me". Perhaps, you have even said that yourself.
Let's look at one of the passages that is used to justify this distaste of being judged:
Matt 7:1-5
7:1 "Do not judge lest you be judged. 2 "For in the way you judge, you will be
judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 "And why do
you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in
your own eye? 4 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of
your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 "You hypocrite, first take the
log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your
brother's eye.
As I read the passage, I note that there is more in view that just judging. Greater emphasis is placed on judging others, when you are no better. It is the hypocritical, self-righteous attitude, that is the larger problem. I looked at five different commentaries on verse 1, and each said the same thing, more or less. Some took large paragraphs to make there point One was very succinct and summarizes the others in one sentence, so I will quote that one to speed things up here:
Matt 7:1 Judge 1 not, that ye be not judged.
(1) We ought to find fault with one another, but we must beware we do
not do it without cause, or to seem holier than others or because of hatred of others.
(from Geneva Notes)
Now, we can see this later when Jesus said in verse 5
"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own
eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Notice that nothing in that passage said anything about the one receiving judgement, it
was directed to the hypocrite judge. If you are the one being judged, it might be good too
listen and evaluate, and discern, judge for yourself, whether the
accusation is true. In other words, if someone is judging you, rather that lashing back
with "you are judgmental" (which is also judgmental, by the way), perhaps
responding with "yes, you are right, I need to take care of that in my life".
This ends the contention, and avoids your own hypocrisy.
Let us look at some verses which suggest that we judge. Remember here, when we are judging, there is no automatic negative connotation to the act. To judge, merely means to evaluate, to discern. We have invested the word judge, with negative implications, which do not really exist.
1 Thess 5:21-22
21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from
every form of evil.
Greek for that is roughly "Test everything, hold fast to the good."
We might rephrase that as prove and approve, another call to use judgement.
As we go through scripture, we find judgement in all kinds of contexts. We need to examine
those contexts, and the original language structures, to determine what kind of
testing, judging, examining etc. When called for, we are called to judge in a critical
fashion, to critique it, even pronounce it evil if necessary. At other times, we judge
thing in order to put our stamp of approval on it. Both of these, fall under the category
of being discerning. We need to know good from bad, right from wrong, helpful from
hindering, and the word of God is our standard, tempered by experience perhaps, but always
guided by Biblical principals where they apply. When they apply, we need to apply them,
and not heed the popular trend or opinion, nor our own desires.
We need to be discerning at a deeper level, consider the following passages:
2 Cor 10:5-7
5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of
God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are
ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. 7 You are looking at things as they are outwardly.
John 7:23-24
23 "If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath that the Law of Moses may not be
broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath?
24 "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge
with righteous judgment."
People are lazy. We sometimes sum up an opinion, without knowing the facts. We need to be
investigators, that is part of being discerning. Being investigators, does not mean being
busybodies however. My wife and I went to the Hollywood Bowl one time, with a church
group, and we brought a snack. We had some tortilla chips, and salsa, and some
sparkling apple cider. We drank the sparkling cider from cheap plastic champagne glasses.
Next Sunday, our pastor address the congregation, about a young couple who was upset,
because someone in the congregation, was "drinking" at the Hollywood Bowl.. Our
pastor said "How dare you!' and gave us a lecture (it could hardly be called a
sermon) on the evils of stumbling those who are weak in their faith. We didn't even
realize, at the time, that the drinking couple was us! What was the problem
here? The couple, judged, based on appearances, without learning the facts.
The pastor, did the same, he dressed us down, without knowing the facts either, solely on
the assumption of the testimony of the couple. Since we were drinking apple cider, we were
innocent - almost. It would have been a good thing, if we had thought this through,
and avoiding looking like we were doing something that someone might construe as sin.
For those of you who may be newer believers, and are not sure what this is about, why it it important to be careful what people see you so, what people think about what you are doing, hopefully, this passage will shed some light on that issue, but it is not our topic tonight.
Rom 14:13-23
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this — not to
put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. 14 I know and am convinced in the
Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be
unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no
longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
16 Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil ; 17 for the
kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit. 18 For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
19 So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one
another. 20 Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are
clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21 It is good not to eat
meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22 The faith
which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn
himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his
eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
Now, we just looked at the above passage, which I refer to the stumbling block passage.
Did you notice that it began with the word "Therefore"? Whenever you se the word
therefore, you need to ask "What is that therefore, there for?" Therefore points
backwards to what was just said, so let's take a peak:
Rom 14:1-14
14:1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment
on his opinions. 2 One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats
vegetables only. 3 Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let
not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to
judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for
the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man regards one day above another, another
regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who
observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he
gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks
to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we
live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live
or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be
Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you
again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the
judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written,
"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall give praise to God."
12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Paul makes a point about judging each other. Some people are able to do things without
sinning, that are sins to other people. He also made the point in the stumbling block
passage. Paul is saying, that there are some things, that are not clear, or not very
significant. If I happen to think, that having a glass of wine is o.k. because the Bible
seems to make that obvious, but you are of the opinion that all consumption of alcohol is
sin, then we have a problem. In such a case, you are not to pass judgement on me. If my
conscience is clear, then you should not make an issue of it with me. That matter is
between me and God. On the other hand, I need to be careful, not to defend myself to the
degree . . that I might encourage you to do something against your conscience. We both
need to behave in a way, which encourages faith, not doubt, and not looking down on the
other, simply because we see some things differently. On the other hand, we do not allow
someone to sin with impunity. When a brother or sister is doing something clearly outside
of God's will, we need to address that.
James 5:19-20
19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, 20 let him
know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death,
and will cover a multitude of sins .
We have looked at verses, that tell us do not judge by appearances, and we have seen that
we need to be ready to help our brethren to keep from sin, which of course requires
judgement. Indeed Jesus said:
Matt 7:
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits . Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of
thistles?
Certainly, that is a call to judgement. The next one is very telling:
1 Cor 4:
1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries
of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found
trustworthy. 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined
by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even
examine
myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this
acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. 5 Therefore do not go on passing
judgment
before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things
hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's
praise will come to him from God.
Do you see what is being said there? Do not judge others, and do not be judged of others, do not judge even yourself. But this is not about whether you are right or wrong, just or unjust, guilty or innocent, this is about your standing before God. We cannot say, whether or not anyone is headed for punishment or reward, that is the work of God when the Lord comes. In Matthew 13, Jesus tells and explains the parable of the tares of the field. The tares are a weed that looks like wheat. When Jesus returns, the tares are the sons of the evil one in this parable, and are not separated from the good seed (sons of the kingdom) until the Lords coming, as it cannot be done ahead of time, some who you would think would not be in the kingdom, may make it, while others who you are sure would, may not. This is the kind of judgement that is not our job. Has nothing to do with judging sin, which we must, not inspecting the fruit, which we are called to do, but from presuming to pronounce the final judgement, the outcome, the punishment. We can say, by matter of repeating what God has said:
1 Cor 6:9-11
do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor
homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers,
shall inherit the kingdom of God.
In case you do not find yourself on that list, try this one:
Rev 21:8
8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral
persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars , their part will be in the lake that
burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
Most people will find themselves on one of these lists. It is not forbidden, to point these things out, that these sins destine people to damnation. However, the purpose should not be one of pronouncing final judgement on an individual. People know whether they are on the list. People need to know, that there is an antidote also, continuing the 1 Cor passage above, Paul's continued:
1 Cor 6:11
And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.
This is why the gospel is good news, people have a choice. Satan wants you in Hell, God
wants you in Heaven, you have the vote that breaks the tie.
While looking for passages on judgement, I found the following one, and found myself speculating on part of it.
Luke 12:54-59
"When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,'
and so it turns out. 55 "And when you see a south wind blowing, you say, 'It will be
a hot day,' and it turns out that way. 56 "You hypocrites! You know how to analyze
the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time? 57
"And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right? 58 "For
while you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there
make an effort to settle with him, in order that he may not drag you before the judge, and
the judge turn you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison.
Now, I want to let you all look that one over, and tell me what you think, are ways that
one can apply this passage, what do you think are possible meanings. After we have
few comments, I will toss mine in to the pot as well, unless some of you hit the same
things.
First, Jesus pointed out that we already know how to judge, how to take signs and interpret their significance. Then He points out the present time. I am thinking, that the present time, was the time in which Jesus lived. They should have understood, the the Messiah was present, as all of the signs where there. Now, that was fine for them, but we are reading these verses 2000 years later, do we also have signs of our time? Then He asks, why don't we judge for ourselves, what is right, and the next verse starts with "for", which means He is continuing the same thought. In that verse, He talks about going before officials and being tossed into prison.
Now, back in the 1 Cor 6 passage, Paul had this to say:
1 Cor 6
6:1 Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before
the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will
judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute
the smallest law courts? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more,
matters of this life? 4 If then you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do
you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? 5 I say this to your
shame.
I am taking all of this to mean, that I need to examine (judge) my position, when I have a grievance against someone, or someone has one against me. I need to judge myself and take responsibility for my actions. If I do find myself blameless, and another at fault then I can take my case to him and ask for him to deal with it properly. If we are brothers in Christ, we take it before the church, and not air our dirty laundry in public, and if we do not get justice, can we not suffer the loss for the sake of the reputation of the church? While you are thinking about that, consider the recent pedophile priest scandal in the Roman Catholic Church. Whatever you think about it, might not this passage explain much of their actions, however improperly handled? Think also, that however we might think of the wrong doings against us, our wrong doings against God are worse. Therefore, in as much as He has forgiven us, we need to be forgiving, as He is merciful, we need to show mercy.
Going back to Jesus' sayings in Luke 12, another though I had was that since He was
talking about discerning the times, and then went into the part about the the authorities
and prison etc. do you think it is possible, that this is also an allusion to the end
times and final judgement? Look at it again.
why do you not analyze this present time? 57 "And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right? 58 "For while you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there make an effort to settle with him, in order that he may not drag you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison.
Just a thought!
There are other problems we have in the church, due to faulty reasoning and lack of spiritual discernment. Unfortunately, I due not have the wisdom (or discernment) to know how to address these issues. Consider these:
Denominations exist, largely because of differences in understanding about what the scriptures teach. For example: Two groups agree that the Bible is inspired by God, and without error. One group believes that once a person is saved, that salvation can never be lost. The other teaches, that a believer can lose his salvation. Both accuse the other of error.
One group is convinced that a person is ill, because of demonic forces, or lack of faith. Others believe that germs and other natural causes, are the root of sickness.
One group may refer to a person as mentally ill, while another thinks demon possession. Perhaps both are possible, can we discern the difference?
If we lack the ability to discern these things properly, then we will have a less effective ministry, faulty diagnosis, leads to improper cures and prayers that are in error. We would be better off to pray for the cure, than to tell God how to fix the problem. How much more effective might our ministry be if we could see clearly. Perhaps before we pray for fixes, we should pray for discernment, so we know what to pray for, how to pray in the will of God, for those are the prayers, that God answers.
James 1
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and
without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without any
doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the
wind. 7 For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a
double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Now, I want to get back to thinking about judging, you know, the kind so many are afraid
of "don't judge me" and the kind so many are afraid to do (Judge not, and you
will not be judged). Are we to never judge anyone at any time, is that the role of the
church? I believe that is a terrible misunderstanding about that passage, I repeat, the
passage is really about being a hypocrite, pretending to be better than another. Remember
Jesus said, take the log out of your own eye, then you can see clearly to remove the
splinter from your neighbors eye. Right there, He gave the prescription for judging
others. He may have been saying, get the sin out of your life first, and that theme is
repeated when He said "Let he who is free from sin, cast the first stone". So
indeed, we need to mind our selves, take care of our own life. However, we can see
clearly, if we recognize that we ourselves, are guilty, if we see ourselves as free of
sin, we are self-righteous hypocrites incapable of seeing clearly. So, am I making all of
this up, is it conjecture on my part?
Below is an interesting passage:
1 Cor 5
9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean
with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with
idolaters; for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you
not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person, or
covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler — not even to
eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge
those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the
wicked man from among yourselves.
Clear instructions:
You may associate with immoral people, who are outside the church. One must be certain not to take part in their sins, not be influenced by them of course. Jesus hung out with sinners, but not with the self-righteous.Paul then says not to hang out with a so called Christian if he is immoral. Paul says to kick immoral so-called brothers out, that kind of judging is not only o.k., it is what we are supposed to do. Judging those outside the church, is God's job. Or is it?
Immediately after Paul's words above, he says:
1 Cor 6
2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by
you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? 3 Do you not know that
we shall judge angels? How much more, matters of this life?
Apparently, we have a part in judging, just not at this time. I assume this will be
after we are changed, and fully conformed to His image, after His return for us.
Now, I turned up many many more verses on these subjects, but we have touched upon all of their themes, with the exception of the gift of discernment. I am going to skip that one, because I am ran out of time in preparation, and because there is plenty here to think about, and because I have only so much time available to do this study, and finally, because some of you are already thinking "When is this going to end?" I do not blame you. So, let me conclude with this passage, and I will leave you to your own thoughts about it:
1 Cor 2:
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that
we might know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in
words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual
thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the
Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because
they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he
himself is appraised by no man. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should
instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Thank you very much for your patience and your attendance, may the your love of God result in His blessings, as you continue to follow the Son.
Omegaman