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The Knowledge of Judgment
People have taken these scriptures out of context for years. We saw in the last chapter that “judgment” is one of the “weightier matters of the law.” (Matthew, 23:23). If you continue to read the scriptures on judgment found in Matthew, Chapter 7, you will see that Jesus was talking to hypocrites. The Scribes and Pharisees were condemning people for doing the same things they were doing. The word “judge” in these scriptures should have been translated from the Greek as “condemn.” Jesus was saying we should not “condemn” others. Jesus WAS condemning the Scribes and Pharisees for THEIR hypocrisy. He was not saying WE “should not” judge others, but that we should not “condemn” others. There is a big difference between judging and condemning.
Judgment and condemnation are not the same thing. We judge people by pointing out their illicit actions, abuses and transgressions. When people do commit sin, they can become justified in the eyes of God if they sincerely repent. When they sincerely repent, they will be forgiven of their sins and condemnation will be averted. When WE condemn someone, we are passing sentence upon them. The authority to condemn others has not been given to men, but to belongs to God.
Condemnation is the sole (soul) responsibility of God. Condemnation is punitive in nature. It is the final ruling for transgressions and the breaking of the Law. IF we are going to judge people, we must judge them based upon what the scripture says. However, it is not OUR responsibility to condemn them.
At times, I have been accused AND condemned by others for judging people. Are they not judging and condemning me for judging others? When a word in the Bible is mistranslated, people can and will misinterpret and misrepresent the meaning of the word. When truth is misrepresented, misinterpreted or misunderstood, it will always cause problems in the body of Christ. I am not to condemn people for what they do, but I am REQUIRED by God to use godly judgment in discerning right from wrong and pointing out mistakes people make. Likewise, I am required to help people with their problems if, and when, they are willing to listen to the truth.
Jesus said to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.” He went further stating that the leaven of the Pharisees was “hypocrisy.” When you put leaven in bread, it will make the entire loaf rise as it is baking. The heat causes the bread to rise. Hypocrites tend to get HEATED up, PUFFED up, bent out of shape and then condemn others for doing the same evil things which they are doing. Hypocrisy is contagious, especially when it is found in Church leaders.
When I am talking about things others are doing which are not acceptable, God-like behavior, I am not condemning them. I am trying to warn people and make them aware that some of the things which others may be doing are wrong and inappropriate behavior for Christians. The things they continue to do can and will be dangerous to them if sin is not exposed, addressed and eliminated.
If we fail to warn others of the leaven and false doctrines of others, we are doing a disservice to the Church. Many of God’s people get caught up in the lies and deception which comes out of erroneous teaching, doctrines and the cynical behavior of others. It is easier for some people to believe lies and doctrines of self- seeking, self-appointed, self-indoctrinated ministers than others. If someone would have warned the people who were following Jim Jones about his lies and deception, maybe more of them would not have perished in Jonestown, Guyana.
Jesus said He did not come into this World to condemn the World, but to save the World. People without Christ are already condemned. (John 16:17- 18). Jesus did, however, condemn the hypocritical behavior, false doctrines and false teachings of those who were leading people astray. He cleansed the Temple twice and rebuked Peter several times for his lack of spiritual knowledge and understanding and the Disciples for their lack of faith.
In the above scripture, we are told not to “judge” or “condemn” others. However, the scripture is not saying that we are not to “judge” at all. If we are judging people and condemning them when we have sin in our own lives, then we are just as guilty as they are. Many people like to judge and condemn others when they have their own issues which need to be addressed. Judging with the intention of condemning is wrong.
God is the only one who has the right to both JUDGE and CONDEMN. We can judge the behavior of people without condemning them. We must warn people that certain things they or others are doing is improper and dangerous. Judgment carries a “heavy weight” and is meant to expose and correct the ungodly motives and attitudes of others. Jesus CLEANSED the Temple of the moneychangers twice and rebuked the Scribes, Pharisees and Lawyers for their hypocrisy. He used their ungodly behavior as examples of what we should NOT be doing.
We are doing the Church a disservice if we fail to expose the behavior of modern day moneychangers and hypocrites in the Church, as well as the false teachings of carnally minded ministers. There are ministers in many churches who teach that “the love of money is the root of all evil,” but you should give them all the money you can. We all know it takes money to maintain the Church and send the Gospel around the World. However, many aspects of the “prosperity doctrine” is full of leaven which needs to be cleansed from the Temples.
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians, Chapter 4, Verse 2.
Years ago I had a dream about a man who was standing over a swimming pool holding a little baby in his hands. He was holding the baby out over the swimming pool and precariously throwing the child up and down over the pool in front of him. Suddenly the baby slipped out of his hands and fell into the water and drowned. I woke up out of a deep sleep horrified at the tragedy I had witnessed in the dream. The dream seemed so real it shook me to the core. It was as if I had actually seen this baby struggling and gasping for breath as it died. The Lord then spoke to me and said, “Many of my ministers are handling my Word deceitfully.”
The word “handling” in the above scripture is translated from the Greek word which means “adulterated.” If we are not careful of how we handle the Word of God, we could be adulterating His Word. The lives of many innocent Christians who have not grown or matured enough to know better are taught erroneous precepts and doctrines of devils. Many Christians lack wisdom and understanding because they are fed with false doctrines. Those doctrines are designed by Satan to keep God’s people spiritually immature and in bondage.
The Scribes and Pharisees adulterated the Word of God by teaching that “the traditions of men” were to be preferred over the Word of God. They lead people astray with false doctrines and their hypocritical attitudes. If the message we carry is not unadulterated and pure, it will always lead others into discontentment, failure, spiritual disillusion, darkness and destruction.
If we fail to address and expose critical issues in the Church today, especially Church leaders, there will be many negative implications regarding the rest of the scripture. When line upon line and precept upon precept is not followed correctly, the Word of God becomes misrepresented and of no affect.
The Bible points out that many of the people of God are in error and in need of correction. We have a responsibility to point out the error of their ways so they can find the help they need. If we are judging people in a critical manner, we will not be helping them at all. We can only help them by showing them the error of their ways in a “non-condemning and loving manner.” When we correct them scripturally with the right attitudes and motives in mind, we will be helping them to turn from their sin. We will also be helping to save their souls from death and cover their sins. (James, 5:19-20).
Paul told Titus to “rebuke sharply” those in the Church who are deceivers and false teachers. If sin is not addressed in the Church, it will spread like wildfire. False teachers should not be permitted to spew forth doctrines of devils which cause people to break the commandments of God.
All sin must be pointed out so people who have been led astray by these false teachers can be lead back to the truth. Standing by idly and watching others inflict heavy casualties upon God’s people through false doctrines is not biblical or acceptable. If we do not take measures to stop this injustice when we see it happening, we are not fulfilling our God given mandate to purge the Church of all unrighteousness.
Paul told Titus to “Exhort, and REBUKE with all authority, and let no man despise you.” (Titus, 2:15). Solomon said, “If you REBUKE a wise man he will love you.” (Proverbs, 9:8). Jesus said, “If someone sins against you to REBUKE them, and if they ask you for forgiveness to forgive them.” (Luke 17:3). Jesus also said, “As many as I love I REBUKE and chasten.” (Revelation, 3:19). When we rebuke others, it must be done out of a “spirit of love and not condemnation.”
One of the problems in the Church today is that the Church is filled with an assemblage of pacifists who are afraid to speak out against sin in the Church. Many pastors are afraid of losing affluent people in their congregations who give large amounts of money. Others are afraid they will lose people in key positions in their churches who are close friends and/or acquaintances. Yet, others are teaching false doctrines and have their congregations under the spell of their selfish ambitions and covetous hearts. It is no wonder Paul said, “Judgment must first begin at the house of God.” (1 Peter, 4:17)
Moreover, I saw under the sun: In the place of judgment, wickedness was there; And in the place of righteousness, iniquity was there. Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, Verse 16.
When we are weighing facts and information we have obtained to make proper decisions, we are using good judgment. When good judgment is deferred, wickedness will prevail. Many Christians fail to use good judgment when making important decisions which can affect their lives and the lives of those around them. Some Christians are hypocritical, callous and self- centered. Others lack discernment, godly wisdom and understanding because they have not been fed a proper diet of the Bread of Life. The truth concerning “judgment” eludes them, thus they fail miserably when they are making important decisions. We must seek the truth in order to find the truth.
Solomon, the author of the Book of Ecclesiastes, wrote: “when judgment is deferred, righteousness is replaced by iniquity.” Without discernment, we will be unable to recognize the enemy when he comes to beguile and tempt us into eating of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Without spiritual insight--we have no spiritual foresight. If we lack discernment and foresight, we will be blind and will not see or recognize the enemy when he comes with cunningness to beguile and deceive us.
King Solomon asked God for: “understanding so he could JUDGE His people and be able to discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people.” (1 Kings, 3:9). Discerning between good and bad is extremely important, especially when we are dealing with the lives of the people God has placed in our care and under our protection. Like Solomon, a righteous person will desire to judge those lives he has been entrusted with both righteously and truthfully.
Before we can judge others, we must have ALL THE FACTS. We must never jump to our own conclusions until the truth has been revealed. When we are called upon we must trust God for discernment in judging others concerning important matters in the Church.
The concept of “biblical discernment” is defined as “perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual direction and understanding.” In layman’s terms that means when we lack understanding, we CAN obtain supernatural direction and understanding from God. Discernment can be described as “spiritual intuition.” When we are continuously walking close to God, the “eyes of our understanding” will be supernaturally enlightened by the Holy Spirit when and if we lack understanding.
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. Psalm, 37, Verse 30.
A righteous person will discuss the virtues of using good judgment with others. He will understand the importance of using good judgment, and will judge wisely himself. Because he is righteous and wise, he will be filled with discernment and good judgment. If we do not possess discernment and good judgment, we will become depressed under the spell of oppressing spirits. There will be no peace in our hearts because the fiery darts of the devil will leave us entrenched in the depths of despair. “The way of peace they know not, and there is no judgment in their tongue: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.” (Isaiah, 59:8)
The Apostle Paul told us to, “Be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Paul also said, “But he that is spiritual JUDGETH all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” (1 Corinthians 2:15). Judging is a characteristic of a righteous and wise person. Righteous judgment is pleasing to God. It is no wonder the devil tells people they should never judge others.
One of the most important things we must remember about judgment is that we are not to verbally abuse people when we are correcting them. If we only point out the weaknesses in others without offering them solutions, we are not judging righteously. Offering solutions which help to fix their problems is the “key” to understanding for them. When we do judge others, we must always judge according to scripture, not what WE perceive to be, or not to be, appropriate behavior.
For this cause, many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 1 Corinthians, Chapter 11, Verses 30-31
We must look at our own life objectively. If we rightly judge ourselves, we will not come under the judgment of Christ or others. Others may condemn us, but their condemnation will come from impure and carnal motives. The Bible tells us to “examine ourselves to see if we are of the faith.” Paul said, “if we do not judge ourselves, we may be condemned with the rest of the World.” One who judges righteously will not fail to judge himself faithfully and honestly.
I have been judged and maliciously condemned by others for things I never did. It comes with the territory. Satan is always trying to discredit ministers in order to stop people from listing to and supporting them. Many people hear RUMORS about others, which may or may not be true, and cannot wait to tell the whole World about them. We should never malign or condemn someone else just because we heard a rumor about them. We could be doing God, the person, and the Church a disservice and ruining someone’s reputation who has done nothing wrong.
We are the only one who can make the decision whether or not we will judger our self. The decision to examine our motives and attitudes toward God and our fellow man rests with each of us. If we fail to examine and judge our self, we will be exposing our self to much pain, heartache and suffering.
We examine ourselves by looking into the mirror of God’s Word to see if we can see ourselves in the image of Christ. Does the Word of God expose the blemishes and scars of sin or spiritual infidelity in our spiritual countenance, or do we see our self in the likeness of Christ?
The chastisement of the Lord is never pleasant, but is sometimes necessary. If we fail to judge ourselves the Lord will judge each of us, and it could be unpleasant and/or severe. “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews, 12:6). “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.” (Revelation, 3:19).
DARE ANY OF YOU, HAVING A MATTER AGAINST ANOTHER, GO TO THE LAW BEFORE THE UNRIGHTEOUS, AND NOT BEFORE THE SAINTS? 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? DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT WE WILL JUDGE ANGELS? HOW MUCH MORE THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO THIS LIFE? 1 Corinthians, Chapter 6, Verses 1-3.