Who are we to judge

I believe it is ok to judge actions. For instance, the Bible is pretty clear on adultery, drunkeness, lying, gluttony, etc.

However we should not judge someone, i.e. "boy I know they are not saved, a christian would never do that" or "Benny Hinn is a crook and a false prophet".

cactusj said:

Aren't we to "judge" only believers? Aren't we NOT to judge unbelievers?
In other words, anyone who publicly states he is a believer in Jesus Christ, we as "brother/sisters" are to judge according to scripture. But if the person is unsaved, we shouldn't make any judgement about that persons actions etc?

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Observations are not judgements. I think we can make reasonable assumptions about people, but judgement is more final than that. A judgement is a declarative statement about someone. For instance we all know as christians that all our actions are not righteous, however we have been made righteous by a declarative truth.

OK, but how does one tell an unbeliever they are sinning? How do you tell a Christian he/she is sinning? Do you Bible-bash them? Do you tell them you disapprove? Do you tell them that God doesn't approve? Why should they believe you? Why should they care?

One cannot gain anything by telling someone what they're doing is wrong because people don't like hearing that and they don't listen to you unless you can prove yourself. No-one can prove that they are speaking for God if they person addressed doesn't hear it from God, so you know what we should do?

Ask God in prayer...that's the only thing i can think of....

God bless

indonesianpalmtree said:

OK, but how does one tell an unbeliever they are sinning? How do you tell a Christian he/she is sinning? Do you Bible-bash them? Do you tell them you disapprove? Do you tell them that God doesn't approve? Why should they believe you? Why should they care?

One cannot gain anything by telling someone what they're doing is wrong because people don't like hearing that and they don't listen to you unless you can prove yourself. No-one can prove that they are speaking for God if they person addressed doesn't hear it from God, so you know what we should do?

Ask God in prayer...that's the only thing i can think of....

God bless

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I think your right. I cringe when I see a over-zealous person jumping up and down on the pavement crying for people to repent of their sins and that judgment is coming instead of offering the Good News of the gospel. How many are turned away from even considering the call of the Holy Spirit of truth by wild eyed self-righteous that have just began to read their Bibles and then delight in judging everybody in the flesh? The Holy Spirit convicts a person of sin.

Joh 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

However, within the body of Christ we must have discernment about what is true and false. We have been warned that false profits will come and make merchandise of the flock and provoke them to avarice and greed. Are we not to speak up about this? Ofcourse everyman bold enough to discern the body of Christ as his duty from God will be falsely accused as being judgmental from those not tolerating sound doctrine. For this reason, there has been a dangerous watering down within the Church, and more and more, those not tolerating discernment within the body are coming into control.

2Peter 2:1 ¶ But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end.
2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered.
3 ¶ In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way.

Romans 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Micah 2:11 Suppose a prophet full of lies were to say to you, "I’ll preach to you the joys of wine and drink!" That’s just the kind of prophet you would like!

A judge passes sentence. We can say killing that person was wrong but we cannot say "you are going to hell" cause God is the only one who knows

Hmmm interesting topic
First of all we can Rebuke but not Judge a persons motives, you dont say to a non Christian you are sinning, because even if they were not doing anything bad that still wouldnt get them into heaven, if a Christian is doing something wrong you try and correct them, if they dont listen bring a witness if then they dont listen you goto your pastors/elders of the church etc I think that is the best way but it all needs to be done in Love

Suffolk Sean said:

I believe it is ok to judge actions. For instance, the Bible is pretty clear on adultery, drunkeness, lying, gluttony, etc.

However we should not judge someone, i.e. "boy I know they are not saved, a christian would never do that" or "Benny Hinn is a crook and a false prophet".

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right, Jesus said "judge not, lest you be judged" another rederic of that would be condem not lest you be condemd.

Jesus never said we couldnt come to conclusions about a person, just not condem them.

Who is the "another man" representive of?

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Would the "another man" be satan?

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No the " other man " is Jesus Christ .

Note , how the verse states that : " God hath received him. " And - " God is able to make him stand."

Furthermore ,

The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. <-----> Proverbs 16:4

As far as judging is concerned , may I refer you to the thread I started called - To Judge Or Not To Judge

Peace In The Beloved ,

wm

Suffolk Sean said:

I believe it is ok to judge actions. For instance, the Bible is pretty clear on adultery, drunkeness, lying, gluttony, etc.

However we should not judge someone, i.e. "boy I know they are not saved, a christian would never do that" or "Benny Hinn is a crook and a false prophet".

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Exactly right. We are never to judge people as good or bad or saved or unsaved. Only God can do that. We ARE to judge actions and to say that x or y is sinful.

Rom 2:4

Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

God's goodness leads to repentance, not bashing someone over the head..

The only person we are to judge is ourselves. If we want to judge others, Our Lord said the judgement we dish out will be dished out to us, so it is a wise move not to judge anyone but ourselves as we are the worst of sinners.
Jeff the Finn

And if we catch ourselves even starting to do that, ask God to forgive you immediately and refuse to go there anymore. If you belong to a Church with the sacrament of confession, then you definitely confess it there too. This is one of my biggest weaknesses and sin areas. On one of my Orthodox list, an Orthodox priest posted this writing from St. Nephon:

"My child, if you want to live amongst people, you must watch the following: Do not criticize anyone at all; do not ridicule anyone; do not become angry; do not despise anyone. Be very careful not to say 'so-and-so lives virtuously' or 'so-and-so lives immorally,' because this is exactly what 'judge not' means. Look at everyone in the same way, with the same disposition, the same thought, with a simple heart. Accept them as you would accept Christ. Don't open your ears to a person who judges."

I wish I could manage to pull this off. Hopefully, by God's grace, I'll learn to live this too. I guess that's why he's a saint.

Jeff is right. In that same passage, Jesus told us to take the plank out of our own eye first.

And what if you know the plank is out? I think that whole chapter explains that we know what sin is, and we may only point it out in someone else if we know we aren't justifying it as not sinning ourselves...

Otherwise, how do you help a new brother/sister who want to learn more? Not EVERYTHING is answered in the Bible.

God bless