Don’t Judge Me!
I have a few questions for you:
1. Do you think it is ok to judge people? Why or why not? (answer this question out loud to yourself so you can hear your argument
2. What message do you hear from the world about judging people?
3. What does the Bible say about judging people?
I had those that attended Bible study today answer these questions without using their Bibles. I wanted them to use the information inside their heads, just as if they were going about their day normally, instead of giving me the “Sunday School” answers.
There were some mixed feelings.
Is it ok to judge someone? Well, yes and no came the responses. The world seems to tell us Christians that if we share our beliefs of what is right and wrong we are judging others.
When asked what the Bible says about judging others the verse “Do not judge unless you be judged in the same manner” came up. (It always does.)
I am often surprised at Christian’s responses to the questions above. Many Christians say that it is wrong to judge others and will misquote the Bible to prove their point using the verse above.
No one likes to be told they are wrong. But pretending that there is no right or wrong isn’t the answer!
Do you really know what the Bible says about judging people? Most Christians don’t. Here are a few verses to look up, if you are really interested.
- Matthew 18:6-9
- Matthew 18:15-20
- Matthew 7:1-5
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
- Matthew 7:15-23
The Bible tells us that we are supposed to judge others. Not in a mean and nasty way. We aren’t supposed to name call and mistreat people, but we have to judge others in order to make very important decisions.
The most important thing is to know Why we are judging others. The verses above point to at least two reasons: One is so that we can hold each other accountable and on the path of righteousness, and the other is so that we can make good decisions on who we choose as friends and eventually spouses.
It is also important to understand What to judge. These verses also point out that we are to judge people’s fruit, or their actions. Have you ever heard the phrase, “You actions speak so loud that I cannot hear what you are saying?” Don’t just listen to what people say, but how they are living out their lives. They might attend church, but are they really denying themselves, taking up their cross daily and following Jesus? (Do they even know what that really means? – If you don’t flip through the blogs on here, the answer is in there!)
It is also very important How we judge. These passages talk about the need to judge yourself first. Not that you have to be perfect, but to be repentant. Make sure you aren’t being haughty and looking down on the other person. If they are in sin, have a sincere desire to restore their relationship with God and their relationship with you. Make sure you are asking God to convict you of your sin before you start running around pointing out everyone else’s sin.
Judging is supposed to be about righteousness. Yours and other’s. It’s about staying on the path that leads to eternal life and helping others stay on the path as well. If we judge appropriately we will live a more abundant life and help other people to do the same.
Don’t listen to the world. Judge others, but do so lovingly and appropriately. Your abundant life depends on it!