The Judgmental Christian

 

Being “judgmental” might be one of the most misunderstood biblical ideas around.  Non-Christians have glommed onto this as a counter to any argument for biblical truth and frequently use it to justify other’s obnoxious or sinful behavior.  Even Christians do this!  For example, just try explaining to your unsaved friend why any of their certain behaviors are sinful and you’ll immediately be met with being called judgmental.  Within churches, try removing a pastor engaging in an extramarital affair and see how many people are more afraid of being “judgmental” than concerned with the pastor’s sin.

   

So let’s briefly examine this.   The words “judge”, “judging” and “judgment” happen well over 100 times in the New Testament alone.  Depending on the context, these words mean very different things.  Judgment brings with it a finality or ruled upon decision.  For example the “final judgment” (i.e. Acts 17:31 and John 5:22) is where Jesus determines the fate of your soul!  That’s big!  The words “judge” and “judging” are far more liberally used.  In many contexts, these words refer to decision making (i.e. Luke 12:57: “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?” and John 7:24: “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”) 

 

When throwing around so-called biblical prohibitions on being judgmental, most people are referring to Matthew 7:1-2, which says, “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.”  Notice this does not say, “Do not judge period.”  In other words, the passage is about hypocritically judging, not eliminating your God given ability to discern right from wrong!  It’s not saying to turn a blind eye to sin or think ignorantly!  That would itself be sinful!

 

It actually goes without question that we, as Christians, are called at times to be judgmental!  Jesus Himself says in John 7:24, “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”  What is a right judgment if we are never allowed to judge in the first place?  In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus also outlines what to do with a fellow church member who is sinning.  Specifically, Jesus says in verse 17 that ultimately (after being counseled and refusing to stop) you should treat that fellow sinning church member “as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”  What is that!?  Jesus Himself is clearly outlining model “judgmental” behavior.  Paul in writing to the Corinthian church makes being “judgmental” clear as a bell.  In 1 Corinthians 5:1, Paul refers to a member of the church who was sleeping with his father’s wife!  In response to this, Paul emphatically says to kick this man out of their fellowship!  He goes so far as to say in verse 5, “hand this man over to Satan!”  Was the great apostle Paul being Judgmental!  You bet he was!  You might be surprised to read 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 where Paul says, “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

 

In conclusion, please don’t confuse Christian discernment of sin with being “judgmental.”  Sin is sin and there is nothing sinful about saying so.  Obviously, be Christ-like in your judging.  Show compassion, mercy and forgiveness.  But for heaven’s sake, don’t bury your head in the sand to sin!