Informing Without Judging

[Dream]

How does one go about informing somebody they are sinning without judging them or sounding like they are judging? When somebody does something wrong, I feel like I should tell them that it is wrong, but I can't help but think of Jesus when He said "How dare you say to your brother, 'Please, let me take that speck out of your eye,' when you have a log in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:4).

Of course, I'm not trying criticize my neighbor, I'm just trying to help them to realize their faults and change their ways. But at the same time, I am not without sin, so I really don't have any right to tell them they are sinning and they should stop; that would be hypocritical.

So is there any way I can inform somebody they are sinning without judging them or being hypocritical? Or should I just trust the Lord to show them their faults?

 

[Bushido216]

Welcome to the clash between ideology and practicality.

You could use the tact that while the persons behaviour is wrong, they themselves aren't bad in your eyes.

 

[Dream]

You could use the tact that while the persons behaviour is wrong, they themselves aren't bad in your eyes.

Yea, but I would still be judging their actions, which I may in turn be guilty of.

 

[Bushido216]

You have to be kidding me. Of course certain actions are wrong. Obviously, or else they wouldn't be sins. And just because they're doing them doesn't mean you're not, and so long as you point that out you're not doing anything wrong. I think judgement means concluding that a person is evil, wrong, whatever.

 

[Carrye]

How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,' when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye. - Lk 6:42

Look at the way in which we're told to correct someone. We're not told not to do it, but to remove our own first, then to point out someone else's. It is your responsibility to do that in Christian charity. But don't be afraid to do so - if you're doing it out of concern for the person, it's for the benefit of his/her soul.

 

[Markh]

basically, make sure you are doing these things out of love, not out of some kind of righteous comparison with yourself, that way you can't go wrong.