Many people think that all
judging is wrong. This is usually based on the Lord's words in Matthew 7:1 -
"Judge not, that you be not judged." However, that very text betrays
them because it both condemns and commands judging.
Jesus condemned hypocritical
judging. He said that we are not to judge our brother for the speck in his eye
while ignoring the log in our own eye (vv. 3-5). However, He then added,
"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before
pigs" (v. 6). How can we determine who the "dogs" and
"pigs" are without judging? Hence, not all judging is wrong.
Jesus said to "judge
with right judgment" in John 7:24. That is what Paul was doing when he
"pronounced judgment" on the fornicator in Corinth (1 Corinthians
5:3) and said that Peter "stood condemned" for his hypocrisy
(Galatians 2:11). It was right judgment because it was based on truth.
Without judging, how could we determine who are false teachers (Matthew 7:15),
who are causing division (Romans 16:17), who are caught in a transgression
(Galatians 6:1), what needs to be exposed (Ephesians 5:11), and when an elder
persists in sin (1 Timothy 5:20)? Furthermore, how could we "settle a
dispute between the brothers" (1 Corinthians 6:5) or "test the
spirits" (1 John 4:1; also Revelation 2:2)? All of these passages demand
judging.
It is wrong to judge
hypocritically or self-righteously (Luke 18:10-14). However, it is not wrong
to judge according to God's Word. In fact, Scripture requires us to do it. And
by the way, aren't those who charge us with judging others judging us?
Consistency, where art thou? Not all judging is wrong.
