Judging others, Yes, No, Maybe.

[LaSpino3]

There are two ways to judge others. One is to judge based on pride, grudges and blind attachments.  The second is to judge based on a righteous discernment of the evidence placed before two or more witnesses.

Judging others is an evil which boils up from within.  Those who judge unrighteously, are not content with being in the right, but will find everyone else to be wrong.  Those who judge without due deliberation, claiming an exclusive possession of righteousness, and wisdom, accept only those who agree with them. They then proceed to censure, and denounce, condemning both the principles, and the character of those who disagree with them.   
     
Christians should do well to remember that the practice of rash judging is forbidden in Scriptures. Rash judging, meaning to be hasty in counsel or action, not coming to conclusions without due deliberation and caution, and lastly, not weighing the truth of all the evidence.

Rash judgements are distinguishing features of a persons pride, bigotry, blind loyalties and lack of charity. Those who make their living on censuring others are often the most defective, defient, and out of order.

When any judgement is based on partial evidence, it must be put aside. In this the process of righteous judgements can begin.  These actions will usually terminate in a more just conclusion.

There are two ways to judge others.  The first would be based on pride, grudges and blind attachments.  The second is a judgement handed down based on a righteous discernment of the evidence, then placed before two or more witnesses.

So are we to judge others concerning the Christian faith, and it's principals?  Or, are we NOT to judge others concerning the faith?  Some claim, we are not to judge others.  These words are in Scripture, but the context in which they mean them is incorrect. Have they taken into consideration the difference between rash, and just judgements?

God said,  Murderers, liars, fornicators, idolaters shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

Now ask yourself, do we have the right to tell them, if you do not repent, and turn to Jesus Christ, your eternity soul will be lost forever? My answer, yes. We would only be repeating what Scriptures  proclaim, and not judging.   

In conclusion, be sure there are two or more witnesses, weigh all the evidence, check your decision against the word of God, pray about your decision, and than resolve the matter with love and compassion.  Christians are the ambassador of Jesus Christ.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you in these matter, so righteous judgements can be forthcoming in your decision making.

There is a great deal more to this subject, but honest judgments are a good way to stay on the right side of our Lord Jesus.

Phil LaSpino

[Lively Stone]

Good post, Phil. Manna to you!

[JMT]

Just finding this...*thank you* Phil for writing it out.  This is a topic that has given me many hours of  , sadly!

I will *never* forget a drama presented to us as teenagers of two friends who are in an accident and killed.  One goes peacefully with the angels and is being brought into the arms of God, but then suddenly, there was a hideous scream from the other friend.  She was not having the same after death experience.  As she was being drug, kicking and screaming into the abyss, she looked back and heartbrokenly said to her friend, "Why didn't you ever *tell* me?"

That stuck with me...and I have a story about an actual friend of mine that I let down in this way as well.  I felt God pricking my heart to go to him and be there for him. I sensed that if I had gone to him, he would have had the courage to go forward and accept Christ.  I sat unmoved in my seat...he did not go forward.  I asked him after if he would have if I had gone with him and he said "yes, I would have"  That has haunted me for years!

Telling someone they are not right with God is not judging them!  It is loving them!  Telling someone that they aren't rightly dividing the word of Truth about those issues is not judgment!  Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father and we can't keep that truth to ourselves.  Also, when His name is being used in vain, or misused, or His character misrepresented...we must speak up and it is not judgment when we do!

It is judgment when we start going after individual convictions that have no bearing on one's salvation (ie musical instruments, holidays, what day to worship on, what foods are clean unclean etc)!  Romans 14 is in God's word to help us through those times, so that we can recognize what is worth standing up for and what is an opportunity for grace.   

[Lively Stone]

Excellent post, JMT---manna to you!