What Things Are Christians to Judge?

 

Contrary to the mistaken idea that Christians should never judge (often wrongly attributed to Matthew 7:1), people who serve God are told to judge many things. Here are a few issues and areas of life that require us to make judgments.

Doctrine: Is it sound or flawed (1 Timothy 4:1, 16; 2 Timothy 4:3-4)?

Religious teachers: Do they teach truth or error (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29-31; Colossians 2:8; Revelation 2:2)?

Morals: Do we accept and live by godly standards or those of the world (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)?

Friends: Do we choose them wisely (Proverbs 12:26; 22:24-25)?

Culture: Do we strive to live godly lives or strive to be accepted by the world (1 John 2:15; Revelation 18:4)?

Ourselves: (2 Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves.”)

It is not our job to judge people in the sense of condemning them. The responsibility for that kind of judgment is given to Jesus Christ for believers at His Mercy Seat, and Almighty God for non-believers at the Great White Throne Judgment. All judgments are completely fair and merciful (Psalm 96:13; Acts 17:31; John 5:22). 

God expects us to exercise discernment regarding what is godly and what is ungodly so we can live in obedience to His good and beneficial laws (Deuteronomy 10:13 – “...you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.”). That wording makes it sound dictatorial. In reality, we are to obey because only God knows what is good for us. That being because He knows all that can possibly be known. It is a matter of trust. Do we trust God enough to lead and guide us thru our life by the person of the Holy Spirit? The answer to that question needs to be ‘yes’. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name and for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries