Do Not Judge?

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TheBear

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OK Here it is. Many times, Christians will reffer to scripture that says do not judge. But, are we to judge at all? Aren't we to judge what is right or wrong? Aren't we to judge everything we hear, by God's word? Are we not to make judgement calls every day?

What are your thoughts? How do we justify Matt 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged." with 1 Cor 6:2 "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?"?

John
 

filosofer

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Good question, because that is often misused. If you check in the verses immediately following Matt. 7:1, Jesus goes on to tell the disciples that they are to jusdge only after they have removed the "log" from their own eye.

Then in the latter part of chapter 7, Jesus claims that we will know the false prophets by their fruits.

We can never judge the heart; we can and should judge the outward actions. But only after we have bene through the same judging process.
 
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tericl2

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KRINVW - transliterated as "krino"---- usage - verb

1.to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose
2.to approve, esteem, to prefer
3.to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion
4.to determine, resolve, decree
5.to judge
a.to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong
1.to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one's case may be examined and judgment passed upon it
b.to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure
1.of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others
6.to rule, govern
a.to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment
7.to contend together, of warriors and combatants
a.to dispute
b.in a forensic sense
1.to go to law, have suit at law

This is the Greek word used in this passage. it is used 98 times in the NT. As you can see there is one word with many different meanings. This makes it pretty easy to reconcile the verses.
There are different contexts pertaining to "judging".

Also I Cor 6:2 says we "shall" or "will". From the study notes and research i have seen and read this is pertaining to the future, in that, there will come a time when the saints will sit upon the thrones and judges seats of the world. The thousand year reign maybe?? Regardless, we are equipped with the wisdom and knowledge of Christ.
The full context of this verse, btw, is that Paul is telling the church there that they don't need to run to the wordly authorities first to settle their disputes. They should instead look to the brethren to judge their disputes for God has given it to the saints to judge over the world and angels with his Son Christ.
try John Gill's Exposition of the Bible or the Geneva Study Bible.
You can find these online at crosswalk.com
 
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it is my interpritation that those whom have been judged may judge man by the laws God has set in place. When you look back you see Moses was the first judge of man befor God. All Moses did was as the Lord had commanded. Everyone knew the laws of the Lord and they went befor Moses to hear what the Lord had to say in reguards to there quarles. (Exodus 18)

In the NT it also talks about mans laws vs Gods laws and which is higher .....

It is ovious that Gods law will remain has a foundation. but i would think that he would want his people to be pushed for greatness thus if mans laws is more stringint then Gods law we are not to break mans laws.

IE: lets say jwalking was allowed in Gods law but man said it is aganst the law and all people had to obey. This would be a law we MUST obey. Now if Gods law said its not ok to jwalk but man said its not that bad or its ok then Gods laws is to be followed thus overruleing mans law.

I dont know if it came out right or not hope it helped alittle.

(Mat 7) is a great answer thanks for posting that referance.
 
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tericl2

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filosofer,

Good post. That is exactly right!! We have to be able to judge actions - how else could we dtermine what is right and wrong? And if we are to be seperate from the world, how could we do that if not by some "judging" of what the world is??

We should always judge by the Word though and not our own feelings. If we judge by our own strength, then we get into trouble. As always, rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
 
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tericl2

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Optimus,

There is no law greater than God's law. And God's law covers our obedience to wordly authority.

Romans 13:1,2
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves


Titus3:1
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,


So, unless wordly authority directly contradicts God's law we are to obey the earthly authorities.
 
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Originally posted by tericl2
Optimus,

There is no law greater than God's law. And God's law covers our obedience to wordly authority.

So, unless wordly authority directly contradicts God's law we are to obey the earthly authorities.

Let look at this scripture

Romans 13:1,2
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.


Governing authorities (Government/local authorities which have been put in place by God ie police,judges, and so on.... these are all agents of God and are supposed to uphold the law)

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves

Do not break Gods law. PERIOD. Lets go back to my jwalking example. If God said you can not jwalk on sunday. but man said you can not jwalk at all. Are you still upholding the law if you jwalk m-saturday? Yes but you are now breaking mans law which is more stringiant then Gods law. Thus not following the Governing authorities that are set in place by God. Do not be agenst the law or you will be judged by it, do not

Titus3:1
Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work....


This only strengthens what I was saying.


"So, unless wordly authority directly contradicts God's law we are to obey the earthly authorities."

is this a thought or a scripture post? I am assumeing this is your thoughts. which only stengthens what i was saying.
 
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tericl2

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As I said, it is God's law that says to obey the authority. How can it be more strict than God's law?? If man's law says not to jaywalk then you should follow that because God says to follow the authority that he has set up.

there is no conflict here, so i don't see what the argument would be.

But, if the law says it is okay to murder should we do that? No, because God's law transcends man's law and God says do not murder.
 
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ZiSunka

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The judging that is refered to in that verse is not judging a person against the law, but in judging them spiritually.

I used to belong to this other Christian forum where all the people who disagreed would eventually say, "You CAN'T be a Christian and believe that!" Sometimes it would be over something so petty as whether or not one should put egg white in the recipe for communion bread! No kidding. Someone would start to shout, "You can't be a Christian" or "That's not Christian" or "Real Christians wouldn't do/think/say/believe that!"

They didn't bother looking at how their own beliefs or lives were out of sync with the Bible, they just wanted to be the only one that God loved. They were excluding others from God's love selfishly, so they could seem better or more religious.

That was a problem in Jesus's day, too. People were going around saying, "I never break the Law, but look at what HE does!" "I'm more loved by God because I am perfect."

So remember, whenever you are tempted to put someone in their place, God will eventually put you in that same place, for in the same way you judge others, He is going to judge you. The smae criticisms you make against others are going to be applied against you. The same feeling of being inferior that you heap upon others He will give to you.
 
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Debbie

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Amen LAmb's love! What you wrote is based upon scripture which I have read. You are exactly correct according to scripture.
In fact , the entire BOOK of James is devoted to those who judge brethren. Not a chapter, a whole book devoted on how to treat your brethren by not judging.
How do we know brethren? "Those who confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh are of God". THese are our brethren. They may be a different denomination & have different views on matters, but we are not to judge them. Romans 14:1-4 says not to judge brethren. Matthew 7:1-29 also.
On the other hand, Titus 1:15-16 refers to the once saved Christian who has become defiled and the unbeliever. It says we are to use sound doctrine in this case to convince them of their being wrong, according to scripture.
In balance, it seems we are not to judge brethren who believe in Jesus. If we see brethren professing or practicing unsound doctrine, then we may say something, with love, using the Bible as our doctrine.
Then I guess we would have to define doctrine. It would not be just every petty difference. Romans 14:1"Him that is weak in the faith recieve ye, but not to doubtful disputations."
 
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Yes Lambslove your post hit dead center! I have heard Matthew 7:1 used so many times even those times when someone wants to help another Christian. "Oh, but you can't judge, it says so in the Bible".
Filosofer, thanks for bringing out verse 5 "...first, remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye". This verse is seldom ever quoted, but it is why the Lord correcting the type of judging being practiced.
 
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Blackwing

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Sometimes we really see others faults but if really look inside on what we are thinking and doin in our lives, we have no right to judge others. We can only remind but not judge for God is our Judge.

BTW Piccolo san?

I like your reply as well
 
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cb

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we can judge the works and teachings of a person. we can judge false teaching, we can judge unholy works.
we must never, however, be a judge in the same way that God is a judge. we cannot judge souls. we cannot determine a person's eternal destiny. we have no right to even interfere there, because we do not know what God is doing or will do. we must never attempt to determine another persons salvation. it just isn't meant for us to do.

but like i said, we can clearly point out false teaching. we can clearly point out anti biblical heresy. we can go to a person, and say "what you said is wrong because the bible says so here" we have an obligation to speak the truth in love.
 
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Debbie

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Thankyou cb for making a statement which is scripturally sound. You put it into perspective so well.
Furthermore, it is a SIN to judge someone as "they arn't saved", & although the people who do this must not realize it, they will argue when you point it out.
Having lust in your heart Is a sin, so also would be judging another's salvation in your heart. I know a nice Christian couple who constantly sit at home deciding & commenting on "who isn't saved because they are upset about the 9/11 events therefore they don't have the fruit of peace so they can't be saved". Also they believe, "If I am sinning the Holy Spirit will convict me of it".

Well if you are under the impression that you arn't sinning when you judge everyone's salvation in your mind, & you think you have that right because you are spiritual, then you won't HEAR the Holy Spirit convicting you of that sin.
 
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