Every Christian who has ever walked upon the face of the earth has been called judgmental and has been lectured to not judge people. Many Christians have taken to the idea that we listen and we don’t judge. I want to understand what this means and where the real lines are drawn on exactly what the Bible means when it tells us to not judge vs not sharing truth to those who are set on a life of depravity.

Only One Judge

We will start with an example from the book of James where he tells the early church not to Judge.

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. ² For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, ³ and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” ⁴ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? James 2:1-4 ESV

κριτής (krites) is a noun so when James says that they have become judges he means a judge in the formal sense. When we are awed by celebrity or money that walks in the door and we become a judge to pick them as winners for our attention because of the celebrity or money that they possess James calls that out as having an evil intention. Evil because it is selfish.

For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:27-29 ESV

Selfish Judgment

James is writing less about judging others and more about our selfish desires and what the world has to offer. As Christinas we are no longer rich and poor before Christ. If want only those who have money to visit your church and run off those who might be vagrants you are picking winners and losers, you have become a Judge in the formal sense of the word. That role belongs to God and God alone.

James goes into a little more detail on what he means by playing the judge.

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. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:11-12 ESV

Trust God

Every place in the bible where the noun usage of judge is used is used in the context that God is the Judge. Not me. I need to not pick winers and losers based on what they can do for me. I need to trust God will provide for all my needs. It is not my place to condemn. God is the only judge with that job title. This would be a place where we listen and we don’t judge.

Spiritual Discernment

The other usage of judge is ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō) and this is a verb to describe what someone does… judge, examine, question, search, or discern. This is where people deflect or are genuinely confused about the role of a Christian.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 ESV

The spiritual person judges all things is a curious statement from Paul and seems to conflict with James if one remains shallow in their thinking. James tells us to not be a judge picking the rich man over the poor. Paul tells us that as Christians we will judge all things.

What Paul says is that the spiritual person sees the world and makes a judgment about what he sees. You see the a man enter the church, you examines the man visually and recognizes that the man is rich. The sin would be to covet the wealth and start giving attention to the rich man above what would have been given naturally to anyone else because of a hope for some gain. This would be a place where we listen and we don’t judge does not apply. Judge away Christain.

An Example

A vagrant or someone down on their luck comes to the church to ask for money (which happens all the time). Do I give the person money no questions asked? Maybe ignore them and turn them away? A Judge would make a determination that the vagrant can’t do anything for the church so be rude and kick them out. But Paul says that the Christian judges (examines) all things.

Where do you go to Church? Why is that church not helping you as one of their own? Maybe I give money or maybe I don’t after judging the situation through an examination. What I will do is treat this person as an image bearer of God.

Unforgiving Critical Judgment

Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 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? Matthew 7:1-3 ESV

There is another word κρίνω (krino) that is also a verb which means to choose, condemn, call into question, or to prosecute. And this is the famous verse of judge not that you not be judged. This is the most common use of the word in the New Testament Greek. Now we are down into the practical every day life use of the word. Mad at someone because of something they did to you? And tell them you wish they would drop dead? Well, you have done worse to others so should you drop dead?

Summary

In summary we are to judge (examine) all things. Share the truth with others, in love, even if they hate you for it. There is only one Judge and we should not place ourselves on that throne. We should not pick winners and losers based on selfish desire. And finally limit whatever criticism we have of the shortcomings of the people around us because we ourselves have done worse. We are all sinners.

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:37-38 ESV