Judgement and condemnation

 BY Argie Simonis

There is not only a right and a wrong way to judge, but what we judge is equally important.

The Lord said to judge what is right (Luke 12:57 and John 7:24),

and used the word "judge" and "discern" interchangeably:

"You hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that you do not discern this time?

Yes, and why even of yourselves judge you not what is right?" Luke 12:56-57

According to the dictionary, the word "judgment" moves on a scale that starts from the form of an opinion or evaluation and reaches condemnation. It is certainly not a bad thing to discern or appreciate a situation or a person. The Word of God even tells us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). When we do it with discernment it is good. But when this is done with condemnation it is not good:

"Who are you that judge another man's servant? to his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand." Rom. 14:4

"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way." Rom. 14:13

"Speak not evil one of another, brothers. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge." James 4:11

It is a reality that there will be times when we will be annoyed or offended by someone. It is not wrong to judge these actions. This of course must be done in the light of the Word of God, because any other attempt to interpret these acts based on our personal experiences or based on the opinions of others for example, will lead us to errors. When it comes to judge the motivation behind someone's actions, let us leave it to God, because only He knows the heart of a person.

We may have been hurt by words spoken to us, but most of the times we don't know the frustrations these people carry every day. If we could understand the real reason they do what they do, we would be much more compassionate in our judgment.

The Lord did not forbid us to judge, but warned us:

"Judge not, that you be not judged.

For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matt. 7:1-2

So, we must judge whether something is right or wrong and sometimes pass condemning sentences, as in the example of Paul (1 Cor. 5:3-5, 1 Tim. 1:20).

Pastors and elders also bear the responsibility of rebuking and disciplining church members:

"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." 1Tim. 5:20

But it is something that should not be done lightly. This is a warning to be sure we have heard from God and we are not just venting our personal frustrations:

"So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has showed no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment." James 2:12-13