Judging

[Loser For Jesus]

It seems the worst sin that can be committed these days is for Christians to "judge" each other.

Any amount of disagreement or debate seems to be acceptable, just as long as it doesn't get "personal" and "judgemental." Heaven forbid that we should actually let a Scriptural or theological discussion cross over to having any actual relevance to our practical lives as Christians! And even worse wrath awaits those who would dare to point out the sins of others!!

Yet Scripture says very clearly:

1 Cor 5:12-13  What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? (13) God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

I wonder how Paul, or Jeremiah - or even Jesus - would be received in the "Christian" community today? Godly men speaking by the power of the Holy Spirit! I suspect they would be quickly warned to be quiet and stop being so "judgemental."

love in Christ,

Malcolm

 

[wblastyn]

But we have to judge ourselves before we judge others.

 

[Loser For Jesus]

True.

Which just means that we have to judge ourselves. It doesn't mean we shouldn't judge others.

love in Christ,
Malcolm

 

[SavedByGrace3]

1. The problem with "judging" others while in the online debate scenario is that very few of us know each other well enough to start throwing around judgmental statements. Many of the people on these boards are just young people (or young Christians) who think because they have a few scriptures memorized that they can yield the word like a weapon. There is real danger in that some will use the word as a club and attempt to lord themselves over others. Other young or immature Christians can fall prey to this and be harmed.
2. There is a difference between "judging" in the biblical sense and making an obvious observation. Judging in the biblical sense includes the act of carrying out a sentence with some sort of punishment i.e. "stoning". No one here has the ability or avenue for such actions. The most someone in one of these debates could do is call you a bad name. So What! OTOH, if someone were to say "I don't believe in Jesus"... I would not be judging them by saying "then you are not a Christian". That is an obvious observation by the common definition of what a Christian is. That is not name-calling. That is just an observation.
3. These debate forums are very good platforms for you to learn and exercise your doctrinal knowledge. I have learned piles of stuff that I would never have learned simply because someone challenged me and I had to either back up what I said or reevaluate it. Use your opponents for this purpose! I sometimes float some ideas and concepts just to see what they will say.
4. Don't expect everyone to always agree with you. Most of the time the people who agree with you will not respond. Only those who disagree will let you have it. And much of the time these "negative" responses are being offered by people who are unconsciously playing the part of an adversary. It is not personal. It is posturing and posing. Respond and enjoy it.
5. Many of us need to not be so touchy. There is no use in getting all upset because someone tore up what you thought to be a perfect, well thought out post. If your thoughts are well thought out and well presented, then you will get respect and honor. If you fly off the handle and whine and complain... people will not what to talk to you anymore.
6. People say things to you in these forums they would never say in person (over a cup of coffee) precisely because they can present their views in sometime exaggerated ways and not have to be personal in doing it. So don't take it personally.
7. Lastly, sometimes the immature will try and play the "feelings" card by saying you are being "mean" to them because you do not see everything their way..... hmmm. They usually do not have much to offer outside of some personal anecdote or religiousy mush (i.e the "prayer of serenity" kind of stuff Which is OK, but please don’t try and force the rest of us to play with blocks when we want to race cars!

Some people are not meant for these discussions. They want the fellowship and social interaction of a chat room or a game room where it is safe. That is great. But I like it here!! Even if I do get popped once in a while. I will survive it and grow stronger each time I get back up.

 

[Loser For Jesus]

Nice post.

love in Christ,
Malcolm

 

[Reformationist]

Nice post hobart.

Originally posted by Loser For Jesus
It seems the worst sin that can be committed these days is for Christians to "judge" each other.

I don't think the severity of the sin changes depending on the day in time it is committed.  All sin is wrong.  We as fallen beings definitely do catagorize the sinfulness of ourselves and those around us.  We will say stuff like, "Killing is a bigger sin than stealing."  The truth is, it's our perception of the Truth and how it has affected us that oftentimes dictates to us "how bad" a sin is. 

Any amount of disagreement or debate seems to be acceptable, just as long as it doesn't get "personal" and "judgemental."

I think I agree with this, for the most part.  It is a definitive lack of correct perspective to take the sins of others, because they affect us, as a personal affront.  We all need to learn to be sympathetic to the shortcomings of others knowing that it is only the Grace of God that restrains us from committing the very same sin.  In fact, the things that we so harshly judge others for is often something we, ourselves, have been guilty of.  Yet, truth be told, we are always more willing to forgive ourselves, or expect ourselves to be forgiven, than we are of our brothers transgressions.

And even worse wrath awaits those who would dare to point out the sins of others!!

I think judging the sinfulness of behavior, ours or others, is definitely something we have been called to do.  However, there is a difference between judging someone's behavior to be sinful and thus striving to restore their relationship with God and what most of us do.  We forget that it is God's Law that has been transgressed, not our own.  If love for our brethren, and therefore their best, is our motivation then we would definitely be less apt to seek "a pound of flesh" for their offenses, regardless if they affect us or not.

God bless.

 

[ZiSunka]

Spurring each other on toward growth is one thing. Judging is another. Judging is a process with a single end: to determine whether or not something is acceptable or to be condemned. When we judge people, we are saying that we have the ability to determine whether or not the should be accepted or condemned.

How can that be a good thing among Christians?

Don't we all deserve condmenation, but are given acceptance through the blood of Christ?

If God has made us acceptable, who has the right to usurp his authority and condemn us?

 

[Reformationist]

Originally posted by lambslove
Spurring each other on toward growth is one thing. Judging is another. Judging is a process with a single end: to determine whether or not something is acceptable or to be condemned. When we judge people, we are saying that we have the ability to determine whether or not the should be accepted or condemned.

How can that be a good thing among Christians?

Don't we all deserve condmenation, but are given acceptance through the blood of Christ?

If God has made us acceptable, who has the right to usurp his authority and condemn us?

lambslove, this is an excellent post.  I would like to say that your last statement/question in this post sums up the exact truth of what Christ did for us.  I know it was rhetoricle but we can all thank our Savior that the answer to that question is NO ONE.

God bless.

 

[Susan]

However, dangerous or fraudulent practices can and should be judged as such IMHO
For instance if there's a group of people around that believe drinking lye helps them grow closer to God, we have a mandate to state the objective truth: drinking lye is severly harmful if not fatal, and is not Biblically supported as an act of worship.
Or if some group is saying that for God to hear your prayers, that you must first buy their "special anointed prayer helmet" for the bargain price of $100 dollars, we should be very clear that you don't have to do that.