Judge Not?

Matthew 7:1 KJV 1900

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Is ALL judgment forbidden?

Do we never judge others when they do wrong?

It is foolish; even dangerous to build a doctrine on one verse without considering the whole of scripture.

Having considered other scriptures, we find, as with all else:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV 1900

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

So, scripture mentions various times when judgment is not only allowed, but required and even commanded!

But there are rules, qualifications, limitations.

Can we judge in love? Have we considered 1 Co 13 … the love chapter a bunch?

Can we judge in mercy?

James 2:13 KJV 1900

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Have you, or do you do the same thing?

John 8:7 KJV 1900

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

Romans 2:1–4 KJV 1900

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Can you judge “righteously”?

John 7:24 KJV 1900

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Are you spiritually discerning enough to be handling it?

Galatians 6:1 KJV 1900

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Is it your place?

Romans 14:4 KJV 1900

Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Are they within the sphere we should be judging?

1 Corinthians 5:12–13 KJV 1900

For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Are we not to scrutinize our leaders?

1 Timothy 3:1-2 The whole chapter suggests we hold leaders to a standard

Will you follow the Biblical pattern?

Matthew 18:15–18 KJV 1900

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

If the “Fruit”; the result is bad, should we not question the source?

Matthew 7:15–20 KJV 1900

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Does not oversight have a responsibility to watch for, and deal with wolves, and the perverse

Acts 20:29–31 KJV 1900

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

We need to keep from thinking too highly of ourselves, or others

Romans 12:3 KJV 1900

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

1 Corinthians 4:6–14 KJV 1900

And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

Colossians 1:28 KJV 1900

Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Are we to judge divisive people?

Romans 16:17 KJV 1900

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Do we need to watch for, and react to those who get into sin; into disobedience to God?

2 Thessalonians 3:6 KJV 1900

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Titus 3:10 KJV 1900

A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

We need to judge a person’s actions as sin so we can rebuke.

1 Timothy 5:20 KJV 1900

Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

We need to know who to “reprove, rebuke, exhort”

2 Timothy 4:2 KJV 1900

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

We need to deal with those that are “unruly”

1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJV 1900

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

The sins of 1 Corinthians 5 must not be ignored! If you see it, deal with it. It cannot remain in the assembly

We need to deal with blasphemers

1 Timothy 1:20 KJV 1900

Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Are you judging an action or a motive?

The sap returns to the roots of the trees in the fall, and we cannot see it; and it surges up the tree in the spring, and we cannot see that either.

This is a cause, a motive that brings about what we do see… the fruit. It is dangerous to say, or even think such things as “They just did that because…”

Can we truly know a person’s motive beyond a shadow of a doubt? If we can’t, can we judge them?

Are people guilty until proven innocent, or visa versa?

In conclusion then, Judgment is allowed, even commanded when God deems it warranted,

but conditions apply!

Discipline

Leader / Discipliner

Instruct /Teach

Model / Mentor

Correct/ Punish/Chastise

God to Person

2Tim 3:16, Rom 15:4

1Pet 1:16, John 13:15

Heb 12:5-11

Person to Self

1Cor 14:32, 2Tim 2:15

2Tim 3:16

1 Cor 9:27

Person to Another

2Tim 2:24-25, 2Tim 3:16

Mat 18:15-18, Jas 5:19-20

Php 3:17, Gal 6:1

Rom 16:17, 2 Thes 3:6

Father to Family,

Mentor to Disciple

Eph 6:4, Titus 2:1-10

Gen 18:19

1Sam 3 :13(Neg)

Prov 3:24,22:15,

23:13-14

Assembly to Member

1Tim 1:3-7, 18-19

Titus 1:13

2Tim 3:16

2Tim 2:2

Heb 13:7,17

1Tim 5:20, Titus 3:10

2Tim 4:2, 1Thes 5:14

1Cor 5, Mat 18:17-18

1Tim 1:20

Employer to Employee

1Pet 2:17-18

Rom 13:1-7, Eph 6:5-8

2Sam 23:3

Government to Citizen

Gen 9:6,

Rom 13:1-7

Disciple / Disciplinee

Learner/Follower

Listen/Study

Observe/Copy

Submit/Reform