Biblical Judgment: 5 Errors & 5 Commands

If we are going to judge Biblically:

1. We can't have a critical spirit. 

We must judge things fairly, not negatively or hopelessly (Philippians 4:8).

2 We can't be hypocritical.

We must honestly confess our own sins before we can help others deal with their sins (Matthew 7:1-5).*

3. We must not judge externals like wealth, popularity, looks, or position (1 Samuel 16:7; John 7:24; James 2:1-8). 

4. We must have genuine concern for those we confront.

Confrontation in love and humility is constructive, not destructive. (John 13:34-35; Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 4).

5. We must reject cut and paste explanations about Biblical judgment.

By taking a single phrase out of context (Matthew 7:1), many Christians are letting culture, not Scripture, shape their thinking.

Our culture hates judgment, not sin. God hates sin and encourages appropriate judgment.

Let's follow Jesus, not culture. 
*This is where the famous "Judge Not" passage is pulled out of context. Verse 5 says after we remove our own "planks" we are then in a position to judge the "specks" of others. "First....then..." 
Want to read more about Biblical Judgment? Check out the "Misunderstandings About Judgment" Archive.

Bible Study

Below are 5 situations when the Bible commands us to judge.

1. Corporate/Church/formal Judgment.

Matthew 18:15-17: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

2. Judging fellow believers to save them from destruction:

James 5:19-20: My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

3. Judging our influences and associations:

2 Corinthians 6:14: Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? (NLT) 

1 Corinthians 5:9-11: I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

4. Judging for our protection:
1 Corinthians 15:33: Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 


Ephesians 5:11-13: Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 

5. Judging teachings and teachers by what they teach and how they live. 

Matthew 7:15-20: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

copyright 2016, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com