Don’t Judge?

At times, it is easy to be critical, harder to be gracious. This conflict is compounded by two passages in the NT that seem to contradict one another. The first is something Jesus said:

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1–2)

The other one says: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness…” (Galatians 6:1) 

But how can I do that without discerning that the other person is doing something sinful? After thinking about this, I have to conclude that seeing sin in other people is unavoidable. This isn’t about seeing it, but about what to do about it. And what to do about it has parameters that are usually found in the context of various commands. For instance, the words of Jesus add this:

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:3–5)

Often God shows me my sin by allowing me to see it in someone else. In that case, instead of judging the other person, I’m supposed first deal with my own sin. I cannot help anyone be free of a problem if I have never been free of it myself.

The next passage gives instruction along the same lines: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.” (Galatians 6:1–5) 

This time, it is a call to help the person who is entrapped as long as I am not, and aid that person to be set free. It is not only helping them but without as selfish motive.

There are other ways to deal with the sin of others. God asks me to pray for other believers that they are able to say yes to God and no to sin. Prayer is burden-bearing in a quiet form.

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death… All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. (1 John 5:16–17)

God could ask me to warn those who are being tempted as many verses warn about not to give in to temptation: 

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:12–13)

Even noticing sin is from God, but it can happen to those who feel inferior and try to boost their self-esteem by putting down others. Yet Christ died for all because all have sinned, none are worthy, and His grace puts us on a level field. 

Not only that, God is patient. He saw sin in the days of Noah, and Lot, and in Job’s story, and in the days of the kings and the prophets. Yet He did not pour out judgment at first glance. Charnock notes: “He brings lighter smarts sooner, that men might not think him asleep, but he suspends the more terrible judgments that men might be led to repentance.” God holds back His rod, waiting for His people to repent and return to Him. I have no right to be impatient with sin or with God’s way of dealing with it.

One more thought. What I consider sin might not be. The NT says not to pass judgment on others if it will cause them to stumble. He is the Savior; I am not. I need to serve Him and love His people, not get in a huff over such matters. “Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. . . .” (Romans 14:13–23)

PRAY: Jesus, I am raised up and seated with You in heavenly places, that You will show the riches of Your grace in kindness toward me and toward all Your people. Our destiny is not about judgment and wrath, but about kindness and grace, and about being like You. Seeing sin in others is not about making myself a judge but about obedience and patience toward all who struggle with sin.

Rebuking or Judging — What’s the difference?

 

In the NT when the disciples shared the Gospel message, they experienced varying reactions.  For instance, like Jesus, some were killed. Others experienced threats and ridicule. However…

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

Telling others the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is the most important thing all people need to know, but those who hear it may not think so. It means they must admit their sin and yield to the Lord. Pride hates doing that.

Resisting this message often translates into resisting the messenger. In this year alone, several thousand believers have died because of their faith in Christ. 

Not only that, I’ve noticed in my own life that the perception of what I am doing is not always in line with my reasons for doing it. The Bible says two things that seem contradictory without careful study. For some, it is more like “pick what suits you” than knowing what fits where. The two activities are judging and rebuking.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Matthew 7:1–2)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. (Galatians 6:1–5)

Sometimes I judge people caught in sin because I want to look better in comparison. That is sin. In my heart, I know it. I’m not caring about the spiritual needs of that person, only my own reputation.

On the other hand, if someone is constantly falling into the same temptation, my heart goes out and I want to help them. I have to make sure I’m not guilty of the same thing or of any personal gain or glory. This desire to pick up another who stumbles is motivated by the love of Christ. It is a sacrificial love that cares because I know the harm done by any sin, theirs or mine. This may call for a private conversation, a gentle rebuke, or something stronger, but it is for their good and God’s glory, not about me at all.

Another issue is knowing if the person who sins should know better, or does know better. This makes a difference in how to talk to them. This could be compared to a small child who has never touched a hot stove, or has but wants to try again. Speak gently or yell, that is the question, but the motive remains — I don’t want that child to be injured.

Another issue is the attitude of that person who sins. Are they aware and brag about it? Or are they oblivious to cause and effect? Some have trouble connecting dots and need help. Some have trouble with self-sufficiency and boasting, maybe to hide a feeling of not having any value or being loved. Holy Spirit discernment is needed.

But Holy Spirit messages to me are not always heard by other people. I remember a pastor who made a decision and did not give his reasons to his congregation. I met with him and asked why this decision. He pounded his desk and said, “Because God told me to.” Since many Christians are suspicious of that reason, or do not listen for God’s voice at all, he knew his reason would not be accepted. He barely understood the why of it himself!

PRAY: Regarding judgment, we are called to love one another. I can rebuke to restore, which You do for me, but I cannot judge with a view to condemn. You died for sin and You alone are able to judge rightly. When I am annoyed or impatient with others, reveal it quickly that I might repent and instead love them, pray for them, and if I do or say anything, may it be as You would do or say it. Let me hear You clearly and not be concerned about any opinions that run contrary to what You say to me. Instead, give me confidence in Your instructions, and if none come, grant me the ability to keep quiet and wait on You, rather than take matters into my own hands.

Agreeing with God . . .

 

 

READ Romans 13-16

In the OT when the people sinned, they were to confess to the priest and he made a sacrifice to atone for their sin. This was temporary yet pointed to a coming Messiah who would offer a better way. This is fully described in the NT, particularly in passages like this:

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. (Hebrews 10:1–3)

Continual confession and sacrifice did not last, only the redemption offered in Christ lasts: “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:19–23)

I’m drawn to these verses because today’s reading makes it clear that confession and forgiveness for sin is no longer about a human priest, for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:11–12)

This says several things. In context, it gives me no right to judge anyone because people are not accountable to me; they are accountable to God. Judging others is God-playing and a sin.

This verse also makes it clear that sin is against God. Yes, we sin against others, yet when David confessed his adultery and the murder of another man, he said:

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:3–5)

Certainly, the NT tells us to confess to those whom we have sinned against, and forgive those who confess sinning against us, but it does not tell us to broadcast our confessions nor take them to others who are not victims of our sin. Our sin is against God and it is God who holds us accountable.

So what do I do when a Christian sins? The NT says this:

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. (Galatians 6:1–5)

My own life needs to be in order if I want to help a person turn from sin. Even hearing another’s confession and bearing that burden can stir up various temptations. Thinking I am strong enough to be a Christ-figure to help others can lead to pride so I must test myself rather than take on such a task. I could hear them out and not handle it as Christ does. He would never shame that person, or gossip about their sin, or look down on them for what they did, but I realize that I might. If they are victorious, I might put myself on a pedestal instead of giving Jesus the glory that is due Him. For those reasons, each person is to bear their own load. That suggests that each of us be responsible to bear our own sin and not easily take responsibility for the sin of others.

James 5:16 says, "Confess your sins to one another ... that you may be healed." This is about getting things right with others, about healing relationships as well as dealing with the reality that sin can make us sick. The psalmist described what can happen when sin is bottled up: "I kept my sin in and my bones wasted away" (Psalm 32:3).

But that does not mean I need to broadcast to the whole world my specific sins. That wouldn’t be good for others, and it wouldn’t be good for me. While I need to be  known as an open book, not a secretive or hypocritical person who has “put away falsehood . . . .” I’m to “speaks the truth” (Ephesians 4:25) which  includes truth about everything, not just my quirks, foibles and sins, but about the wonder of God’s work in my life.