Satan's Grand Lie

Satan's Grand Lie

Judging others is a problem most Christians have to deal with. Since Jesus said, "Judge not that ye be not judged" (Matt. 7:1), many whose knowledge and understanding of scripture is limited, mistakenly assume that it is wrong ever to pass judgments on others!

If they studied more, they would discover the Lord also said, "Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). They would also observe that the Master himself did not hesitate to pass judgment on the religious leaders of Judaism whose views and practices were contrary to God's will (See Matt. 23). Paul had no hesitation in condemning numerous religious leaders by name such as Hymenaeus and Alexander, Philetus, even Demas who forsook him. He also had no reservation about challenging doctrines that were contrary to the faith he had received from the Spirit of God (I Tim. 4:1-3).

The above information make it clear that there are two kinds of judging that discussed in scripture.

We are not to judge the motives of others. Until expressed, that is not something we can possibly know. We are not to make harsh, critical judgements about persons and things of which we are uninformed. Such is hatefulness. We are not to pass critical judgements on others for sins of which we are guilty (Rom. 2:1-3). Such is hypercritical (John 8:7). We are not to judge our neighbors by speaking evil of them without just cause. "Speak not one against another, brethren, He that judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law and judgeth the law... One only is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy" (Jas. 4:11-12). Judging the eternal destiny of humanity is the prerogative of the Lord Jesus (Acts 17:31). For us to take it upon ourselves to pronounce judgements upon His servant is presumptuous. "Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? To his own Lord he standeth or falleth" (Rom. 14:4).

There are judgements which must be made if we would be true to Christ. These are "righteous judgments" (John 7:24). We are to "prove all things; hold fast that which is good; (and) abstain from every form of evil" (I Thess. 5:21-22). To do this we must examine a person, thing, teaching or practice and make a judgment regarding it. This will involve rejecting and abstaining from that which we find to be contrary to God's Word. We are to "believe ...every spirit (i.e. teacher), but prove the spirit, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). There is moral conduct that must be assayed to determine if it is wholesome and pleasing to God or wicked and displeasing to him "It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby they brother stumbleth" (Rom. 14:21). "He that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23). We are to "beware of false prophets...by their fruits hall ye know them" (Matt. 7:15-16). To obey this teaching we must examine a teacher, his message and his conduct. If the fruit of his teaching is contrary to the teaching of the Bible, if it is in anyway sinful, if it is harmful and divisive to the church we are obligated reject him. To fail to do so involves us in sin.

False teachers routinely cite "Judge not, lest ye be judged" in order to silence anyone who dares to question their teaching or stratagems. Especially do they appeal to it when their sin and error are being exposed. They use it to neutralize naive Christians who dare to challenge their program. Sad to say it often works because the faithful brother does not understand the trickery being used to disarm and stifle his objections.

Never be ashamed or hesitant to judge righteous judgment.

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