by j.d. stegall

Created on: May 23, 2008

Judging others can potentially lead us down the wrong road, appearing like a "bible thumping", twenty-first century Pharisee. But what does the good book say about judging others. Should Christians judge others: shockingly the answer is both yes and no. Boom-shocka-locka, you didn't expect that, did you.

Carefully dividing the word of God, you shouldn't be surprised by that answer. In an era where most people love to quote, "don't judge, or by that same measure you will be judged back", other scriptures tell us to judge. So is the bible contradicting itself? Or, is it asking Christians to judge righteously, the fruits of another person who claims to be a believer?

No, the bible never contradicts itself. Today I will establish the fact that regarding open and blatant sin we are to judge those matters and call it what it is, but in humility because we could fall to the same temptation. Also I will be pointing out the other areas where the good book tells us we should not judge concerning disputable matters, heart issues, and the people of the world who are lost and without Christ.

Sin is to be JudgedIn Humility

When we read the bible in the context that it was written about judging, it is clearly established that we have to judge certain situations, but in a manner that is not critical, emotionally abusive nor to puff ourselves up. When it came to sin, the prophets, disciples and apostles were clear: Repent! And call on the name of the Lord and forsake your sinful ways. In the book of Acts the disciple Peter called the couple out for lying to God and their judgment was immediate death by the Holy Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians chapter five, the apostle Paul ask are we to judge those who are of the world, sinners? He explains that we are not, God will do that. We should not judge those who are of the world because all they know and can do, is sin. Even if they do good it is apart from Christ Jesus, to be exposed on judgment day as selfish and prideful acts.

But Paul does state in that chapter that were are to judge those who are apart of the church body and God. Jesus told us to be fruit inspectors looking for the evidence of other believer's lives and ours. Matter fact, if we see overt abuses, false teachers, obvious breaches of integrity we are to stand up and judge righteously those fruits of darkness, even handing the culprit over to Satan if they refuse to repent, boasting about their sins to others. If we, as Christians are worried about "getting involved", losing

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