CQQ #32: Judging Others...?

OBJECTION! Your metaphorical gavel is unreasonably large.

❦

Thank you, HonnieBunnie007, for suggesting this topic!

When it comes to the topic of judging others, I often see two extremes: the side that says we shouldn't judge ever, and the side that's super quick to slam the gavel over a person's every move (with nearly every verdict being guilty).

Is there a right way to judge?

A common misunderstanding about judging is that we're supposedly not allowed to judge at all because "only God can judge". But this line of thinking isn't entirely true. On the contrary, we're actually told to "judge with right judgment". This means to use wise and careful discernment to make good and fair judgment.

In the context of Matthew 7, Jesus is actually talking about judging rightfully, as He points out that people who are blind to their own faults will judge hypocritically and, thus, should not judge:

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5 ESV)

This same point about judging hypocritically is also emphasized in Romans 2:

"Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things." (Romans 2:1-2 ESV)


The following line demonstrates a form of good judging: careful discernment in what we share with others—in this case, not sharing what is holy/good/valuable to fools who clearly have no regard:

"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." (Matthew 7:6 ESV)

This is also consistent with the instructions Jesus gave to the twelve apostles to deliver their message to the people of Israel (see Matthew 10), also telling them to move on if a lost sheep refuses to listen:

"And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town." (Matthew 10:14 ESV)


The ability to distinguish right from wrong also requires judging. That's what discernment is all about. Also consider Jesus' words about knowing people by their actions; after all, how can we expose wrongdoing and false teaching if we don't judge at all?

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:15-20 ESV)


The real issue isn't that people shouldn't be judging at all but rather that people can often be too quick to judge. People often jump to the wrong conclusions when they neglect to keep their emotions under control or slow down to think rationally and discern matters carefully.

More common ways that people judge wrongfully include:

...judging by physical appearances...

"But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV)

...judging with disregard of situation, context, or character, and overlooking facts (like how some misjudged Jesus despite evidence of His godly works, or how some doubted the apostle Paul)...

"...If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man's whole body well? Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:23-24 ESV)

"Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we." (2 Corinthians 10:7 ESV)

...judging by status, financial or otherwise...

"You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor." (Leviticus 19:15 ESV)

...judging with gossip or slander...

"You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness." (Exodus 23:1 ESV)

"Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against 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 ESV)


Everyone judges naturally, whether it's people, things, ideas, likes, dislikes, you name it. Anyone who claims otherwise would be lying and hypocritical. Rather, it's how we judge that really matters. We must also bear in mind that God knows every person's heart. So before you slam that gavel, make sure your evidence holds up and discern matters carefully and rationally. And as with all things we do, we mustn't forget to do them with love, else our actions are meaningless.

❦

Curious Questions to Consider:

Have you ever been judged wrongfully?

Have you ever judged someone wrongfully?

What are some other ways that people judge wrongfully?

What are some ways that we can judge rightfully? How can we judge fairly and rightfully?

❦

Leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Feel free to share your own stories, experiences and insight in relation to the topic.

Be sure to be respectful and considerate of your word choice in regards to whatever details you choose to share. We're not here to gossip or backstab. Refrain from using specific names. Do not use this topic as an excuse to endorse back talk or bash on those who may agree or disagree on certain views regarding judging. No flame wars. Please keep it clean and civil.


God bless and thanks for sharing!

_______________________________________________________

Author's Notes:

Credit goes to HonnieBunnie007 for suggesting this topic.

Cover image courtesy of Mohamed Hassan.

(Written on February 09, 2020.)

+ + +