"TO JUDGE OR NOT TO JUDGE, THAT IS THE QUESTION"

By: Pastor Rick Bickelhaupt:

During the past few years I have been very concerned about how Christian's view cults and false religion. It seems we are being inundated with a flood of media coverage about false religion, cults, the occult, and fallen ministers of the Gospel. There are times when I will mention what others believe and compare it to what the Bible says. When the truth is manifested, error is exposed. When ever I expose the error, I am constantly bombarded with the famous saying: "Preacher, you know its not right to judge, 'Judge not lest ye be judged".
I would like to settle the issue about "IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE? Some would say, that doing so is against the Scripture. Others that don't like what we proclaim state that we are "Legalistic" and we are called "Pharaisees" Isn't that odd, and say we are judgmental! By the way, Biblical Discernment, or Biblical Judgment has nothing to do with being a "Pharaisee" or "Legalistic". Those who make such statements are ignorant of the Word of God, and probably have some inconsistency, or sin in their life that they don't want brought up! You see, The homosexual states that we are judgmental if we say homosexuality is wrong. The whoremonger gets upset when proclaim the Bible and tell them it's wrong to live in adultery. The backslidden Christian gets upset when the Word of God goes forth and it tells him that he is to be faithful to church attendance, tithing and soul winning. You see, people get all bent out of joint, and point the finger at the Bible Believing Christian, and say that we are doing wrong by "JUDGING" in order to ease their conscience for the sin that is in their life!
This question - "Is it right to judge" is one that puzzles many sincere Christians. A careful and open-minded study of the Bible makes it clear that concerning certain vital matters, it is not only right, but a positive duty to judge. Many do not know that the Scripture commands us to judge.
The Lord Jesus Christ commanded, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." John 7:24. He told a man, "Thou hast rightly judged", Luke 7:43. to others, our Lord asked, "Why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?" Luke 12:57.
The Apostle Paul wrote, "I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say" I Cor. 10:15. Paul declared, "He that is spiritual judgeth all things", I Cor. 2;15. It is our positive duty to judge!
The Lord Jesus gave us the command and warning, "Beware of false prophets" Matt. 7:15. But how could we "beware" and how could we know they are "false prophets" if we did not judge? And what is the God-given standard by which we are to judge? "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20. "Ye shall know them by their fruits." Matt. 7:16. Christ said. And in judging the "fruits," we must judge by God's Word, not by what appeals to human reasoning. Many things seem good to human judgment which are false to the Word of God.
The Apostle Paul admonished believers, Romans 16:17-18, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. [18] For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." This Apostolic command could not be obeyed were it not right to judge. God wants us to know His Word and then test all teachers and teachings by it. Notice also that it is the false teachers who make the "divisions", and not those who protest against their false teaching. And these deceivers are not serving Christ, as they profess, "but their own belly," or their own bread and butter, as we would put it. We are to "mark them" and "avoid them."
Please notice the following verses: 2 Cor. 6:17, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate" 2 Tim. 3:5 "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." Ephes. 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Romans 12:9 "Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." 1 Thess. 5:21 "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." As we look at these passages of Scripture, it would be impossible to obey these injunctions of God's Word unless it were right to judge! And remember, nothing is "good" in God's sight that is not true to His Word.
The Apostle John wrote, "1 John 4:1 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." And again he writes; "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. [8] Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. [9] Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. [10] If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: [11] For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." II John vs. 7-11. Now please notice that the Scripture commands us to judge between those who do and those who do not bring the true doctrine of Christ.
Out of all the misquoted, misunderstood passages in the Bible, Matt. 7:1-5 is probably is at the top of the list. Over and over I hear people misuse the quote "Judge not, that ye be judged". Now let's look at the passage carefully and see what it really says, and to whom it is speaking. Matthew 7:1-5 "Judge not, that ye be not judged. [2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. [3] And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? [4] Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? [5] Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."
Read this again carefully. Notice that it is addressed to a hypocrite! - Not to those who sincerely want to discern whether a teacher or teaching is true or false to God's Word. And instead of being a prohibition against honest judgment, it is a solemn warning against hypocritical judgment. In fact the last statement of the Scripture commands sincere judgment - "Then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." If we take a verse or a part of a verse out of its setting, we can make the Word of God appear to teach the very opposite of what it really does teach. And those who do this cannot escape the judgment of God for twisting His Word (II Pet. 3:16). Let this be a warning to us never again to take a text of Scripture out of its context.
Many who piously quote, "Judge not", usually have an underlying motive for saying it. Either they are attempting to defend a personal bias, or cover a personal sin problem. The greatest peril of our day is not too much judging, but too little judging of spiritual falsehood. God wants His children to be like those believers of Berea who: (Acts 17:11) "... received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."
The Bible tells us of many things that we are to judge. I Cor. 5:1-13 tells us we are to judge those in the church living an immoral life. Please read Vs 13. According to I Cor. 6:3 we are to settle disputes between Christians concerning "things that pertain to life". But I believe the most important thing we should be judging is ourselves. Paul stated in II Cor. 13:5 that we are to "Examine ourselves" "For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged." I Cor. 11:31.
As we judge, we need to beware, and guard against the wrong attitude. Christians should guard against the tendency of the flesh to assume a critical and censorious attitude toward those who do not share our opinions about that which is not specifically spelled out in the Bible. On the other hand, God forbid that we should compromise true Bible doctrine, and Biblical morality for the sake of so called "fellowship" with backslidden brethren. I believe instead of trying to "pick to pieces" our brethren in Christ, it is our privilege and duty to do everything we can to encourage their spiritual edification. We ought to love and pray for one another and consider ourselves lest we be tempted. Gal. 6:1
Let me close with these passages of Scripture. Paul stated in Eph. 4:15; "But speaking the truth in love..." and again in I Cor. 14:26b; "Let all things be done unto edifying" If we would be busy examining our own life, we probably wouldn't have much time left to examine others. And as we examine false doctrine, and false or immoral lifestyles, let's do it by the Word of God and through the spirit of love.

Pastor Rick Bickelhaupt