Everyone knows those famous tattoos with the praying hands wrapped in a beaded rosary, written beneath in a edgy font: "Only God Can Judge Me." We see them everywhere, someone in your family probably has one they're so common. Then we get the Christians that love to point out how that isn't true at all.. but is it? Yes and No is the quick answer. It really depends on how you're defining the word 'judge', to whom it is you're 'judging', and why it is you're 'judging' this person. (Christians, and Non believers alike can equally benefit from and enjoy this.) Lets break in down Barney style real quick:
Matthew 7:1-5 Clearly states not to judge. (Im guessing this is where the tattoo idea sprouted from?) But to get a clear picture, you have to read scripture in context. You can never take a verse, define it yourself, and try to make it truth. Because if you read on to verse 6, Jesus is commanding the disciples to make a judgement on who could be 'pigs' or 'dogs.'
“Judge not, that you be not judged. (vs 1) “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."(vs 6)
Again in Scripture, we see Paul the Apostle making a judgment in 1 Corinthians 5:11:
"But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one"
Paul is speaking of a proclaiming Christian man who is sleeping with his father's wife, with no intention of stopping, here in chapter 5. He even goes as far to reprimand the church of Corinth for not making a judgment against this unrepentant Christian in 5:5-8. This whole chapter, especially verse 12, shows us of WHOM he is speaking of judging, a proclaiming Christian. "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?"
This parallels Jesus' statement in Matthew 7:6. Jesus, and even Paul the Apostle, are calling us to make a righteous judgement that correlates with the standard of Christ and His Word. They are calling Christians to make a righteous judgement against Christians. For more scriptural backing- Matthew 7:15-18 talks about "false prophets," those are self-proclaiming christians, not non-believers. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them." We can judge the genuineness of these "trees." All believing and proclaiming Christians are submitting themselves under the standards of God, of Christ. (This "standard" was stated during the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapter 5-7.) We are to judge these trees based off their fruits according to this Standard.
Now look closely, we're almost done here. Every Christian has the right to discern another Christian's "fruit" or spirit, however, condemning on the basis of self-righteousness is something Jesus cautions us of in Matthew 2:1-3: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? We are to be the hands and feet of Christ in humility, grace, perspective, and mercy.
But how can we pass judgement on a non-believer who has not submitted themselves under this same standard? (Not to say there is exemption from obeying and submitting to Christ, non-believers will be judged under the law, but that is for another blog one day.) When we try to, this is where conversion to moralism is achieved and not a genuine love and fear of the Lord.
Are we called to testify to non-believers about the goodness of Christ and the Hope in Him while also bidding them to die to their flesh and sins? Yes! But where in that is judging? The difference between Proclaiming and Judging is the heart behind it- when it comes to the non-believers. Again I say, we are to be the hands and feet of Christ in humility, grace, perspective, and mercy. Presenting a knowledge of sin and of the Redeemer from it. Never condemning.
I really hope this clears up the different in judging and condemning- and who, why, and how, we are to "judge." The Kingdom is at hand we don't have time to get wrapped up in silly quarrels, walk around with bitterness from giving or receiving condemnation. I'll leave you with one last scripture of encouragement-
"Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tonguesdeceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." -James 1:26-27
Too much love,
HJ
