Do YOU judge???

[sanfran22]

The commonly quoted "do not judge" phrase by unbelievers is actually an uneducated argument that belies their claim to knowing what they are talking about. It is a polemical technique meant to stumble Christians, and it is part of a formula or "canned" argument that is meant to do nothing more but get you in a frustrating debate.™

First of all, the word "judge" is used to mean different things in Sacred Scripture. At 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 we read St. Paul saying:

For why should I be judging outsiders? Is it not your business to judge those within? God will judge those outside. “Purge the evil person from your midst."

This is the type of "judging" you were speaking about. It's not about condemning but its not about letting others off the hook who refuse loving correction, either.

Anyone who attempts to use a blanket definition of "judging" from the Bible is showing you they've never read all of Scripture. Because we are told:
To not judge others.--Matthew 7:15.That judging others is not wrong, only judging by appearances.--John 7:24.Judging others is tantamount to slander and mocking God's law.--James 4:11-12.We will judge the world and angels, so we can rightfully act as judges now.--1 Corinthians 6:2-3.
And this is but a sample of the differing usages of the term in the New Testament.

Which one is correct? They all are, because they are all speaking of judging in different contexts. Kindly reminding others that they may be guilty of a sin is one type of judging, and so is unjustly jumping to a wrong conclusion about a person. One is helpful, the other is not.

Sometimes when the Bible mentions not judging others, such as at Matthew 7:15, it is part of an illustration, speaking in extremes about being unnecessarily critical and judgmental. Other times, like at James chapter 4, it is referring to expressing hateful views of others--another type of judgment, usually in the form of calumny. And then there is another type of judging--teaching others what God demands of them, but forgetting to apply it to ourselves or do so with humility spoken of at Romans chapter 2. This is another form of "judging" to be avoided.

But as demonstrated in the texts from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, sometimes it is important and necessary to pass judgment. And since it is the future vocation of Christians to judge the world to come, clearly it is not against God's law to do so now when necessary.



One might say you need to exercise™good judgment™when it comes to speaking about judging.

Good post! Also, there is a difference between judging and accountability...