ShilohCity said:
my opinion is that the bible says not to judge people and that should apply to everyone about everything, including tattoos. I don't put people down for not having one or not wanting one and i don't expect anyone to put me (or anyone else) down for having one. it's a personal choice not a spiritual one. We will have new bodies in heaven anyway.
The judging which The Bible forbids for us to make is unmerciful and / or unrighteous judgment done by us who are " no better " upon others themselves .
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. <-----> Matthew 7:1-5
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. <-----> John 7:24
Keeping this in mind , we should indeed judge what is right from wrong , or what is good from bad , or what is Christ-like from what is not Christ-like ,( as we are enabled to do so ) , for this is essential for confirming and being confident in the following of the Lord's leading in our life .
For example : if I was a member of a Church , and my example / behavior was causing trouble , what I was doing should indeed be judged , even as when someone is doing good , their behavior should be judged , so we know how to respond appropriately .
But the judgment we should not try to even think we can make - is to write someone off , as though there is no hope for them , or to even conclude that someone is certainly going to remain faithful unto the end , because they presently appear to be doing " real well ".
If someone is causing trouble , they need to be warned , and if they receive the warning well , then the matter can be resolved ; but if they refuse to listen and take heed , then they are to be separated from those endangered by their ways , yet , if they return with the fruit of true repentance , then they can , and should be received again .
If you say to me it's wrong for me to lie out of ungodly fear , or steal out of unholy covetousness , you are applying judgment ; and as long as you do it non-hypocritically and in a non-condemning manner towards the person in question , you have rightly judged . Likewise , if you do something which is honest and thoughtful , and I affirm that you have done well in this matter , I have rightly judged . Judgment is neither wrong , nor bad . Wrong judgment is wrong , and bad judgment is bad .
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. <-----> 1st Corinthians 10:15
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. <-----> 1st Corinthians 14:29
...
He that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. <-----> 1st Corinthians 2:15
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. <-----> 1st Corinthians 11:31
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment . <-----> Philippians 1:9
May The Lord Be Pleased to Bless and Confirm The Truth of His Word . In Jesus Name . Amen .
Sincerely ,
wm
