We see it all around us. Someone has sinned—we are sure of it—and quickly our friends join in a chorus of condemnation: “Look what he did!” “Does she think she can get away with that?” “What un-Christian conduct!”
Before we know it, we are joining in—first decrying the sin, then the sinner. “He deserves to be disfellowshipped!” “She had better not show her face around here anymore!”
Eventually, if it seems that the sinner has not received what we consider a deserved punishment, we may become impatient—even with God Himself— “Why are they letting him get away with that?” Or even, “I know better; I’ll take the matter into my own hands!”
Indeed, it can be amazing how quickly the carnal mind can jump to the conclusion that someone may have sinned and that it is our responsibility— nay, duty—to carry out the sentence and bring down God’s wrath on the head of the supposed offender.
But is this what the Bible says we should do? Is this what Jesus of Nazareth taught?
Why did the Word—the Logos— come to earth as a physical human being? Contrary to what some assume, His first coming was not to execute punishment upon the wicked at that time. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16–17).
Yes, the time will come when all will receive the judgment they justly deserve, and those who have responded to God’s call through repentance, baptism and obedience will enter into His Family. At the present moment, however, none of us can rightly claim to “deserve” salvation. It is a gift that we cannot earn (Acts 2:38). No one can come to the Father except through Christ (John 14:6)—and that can only come after repentance and accepting Jesus’ shed blood in payment for sin. “He who believes in Him [Jesus Christ, the Savior) is not condemned [to destruction]; but he who does not believe is condemned already, [the sentence of eternal death has been pronounced but not yet carried out] because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).
Those who believe what Christ taught, and who use God’s Spirit to help overcome their human nature and sins are counted among His saints. “But he who does the truth [obeys God’s laws] comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (v. 21). This does not mean that the saints are now perfect; it means that they are not practicing sin, and that when they stumble they are quick to repent and grow closer to their Savior.
Sadly, some people love the pleasures of sin and Satan’s ways more than they love their Creator, even after they have tasted the good things of God and have heard the wonderful news regarding His kingdom. “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (vv. 19–20).
What does this mean for us? As Christians, we look forward with anticipation to the day when we will enter the Family of God. But what about those whose lives fail to demonstrate the fruits of the Holy Spirit—who habitually demonstrate carnal, rebellious behavior? As Christians, what is our responsibility when we encounter such people? Do we want for them the same blessings God has promised for us?
What Do You Mean: “Judge”?
Many people, when they first hear the phrase, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1), come to an easy misunderstanding of the passage, based on an incomplete understanding of the English word “judge.” Strong’s Concordance opens an important dimension to this scripture.
Greek word G2919 “judge” krino, kree’-no. Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
This passage of Scripture does not forbid us from discerning right and wrong. What it forbids is condemning— pronouncing sentence upon another—a duty that is God’s prerogative, not ours (Romans 12:19).
Only God is able to render perfect spiritual judgment, because only He can read the hearts and minds of human beings. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12–13).
We as mortal human beings have not been assigned the responsibility— or the right—to decide who will receive eternal life and who will be committed to the Lake of Fire. Here, then, is how we must heed Christ’s command: “Judge not [do not condemn to destruction], that you be not judged [yourself be destroyed]. For with what judgment [condemnation] you judge [condemn], you will be judged [condemned]; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matthew 7:1–2). The sentence we presume to pronounce upon someone else will set the terms of our own punishment!
Jesus said: “You judge according to the flesh; I judge [condemn] no one. And yet if I do judge [condemn], My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me” (John 8:15–18).
Condemning Ourselves?
Christ has made it clear. When we usurp God’s responsibility of judgment, we bring condemnation upon ourselves. This is easy enough to understand; after all, can any of us deny that we, too, deserve condemnation for our own sins? Remember: “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). So, how can we dare to condemn a brother or sister in Christ, when we ourselves would be eligible for condemnation were it not for God’s mercy upon us? Do we really think we can goad God into punishing someone else while ignoring the punishment we deserve? If we cry out for vengeance against another, how can we expect mercy for ourselves?
We need to understand that our loving Creator is working with each of us in many different ways. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you [each of us] to repentance? But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’” (Romans 2:4–6; Hosea 12:2).
Pride is a fundamental human sin. How much pride must we have in order to consider ourselves fit to serve as the accuser, arresting officer, prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner in spiritual matters concerning another person? Remember the little desktop sign that reads: “Be patient; God isn’t done with me yet.”
As our Creator, only the perfect and sinless God has the right, ability and authority to determine eternal guilt and innocence, life or death. “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck [a little fault] from your eye’; and look, a plank [a huge sin] is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3–5). When we condemn others for their mistakes and faults, are we not, in effect, mistakenly assuming that we are without sin and therefore have the right to pass sentence? However, the Apostle John, under the inspiration of Christ, disputes this notion. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8–10).
Discerning Motives
Consider the example, recorded in John’s gospel, of Christ discerning the case of a woman caught in adultery. “Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?’” (John 8:2–5).
Though His enemies were “testing” Him, Christ did not “take the bait” and deliver an answer sure to draw controversy. Rather, He responded by writing something on the ground in plain view of those questioning Him. “So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it [those who saw what Jesus was writing], being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last” (v. 7–9). What did Jesus write that pricked these critics’ consciences? We understand that He wrote the crimes of the men questioning Him—men whom He knew were as guilty as this woman. “And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more’” (vv. 9–11).
Notice that the biblical account does not dispute the Pharisees’ charge that this woman was an adulteress. Her accusers, however, failed to deflect their own guilt onto her, and left without receiving forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Like these scribes and Pharisees, we should recognize that some who are quick to judge others are hoping to distract others’ attention from their own sins.
God Appoints Judges
We live in a society where there are mechanisms for determining guilt and administering punishment. Yet we should understand clearly that it is ultimately God, not any human being, who determines who will sit in judgment over other human beings. “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him” (Daniel 2:21–22).
God commands Christians to submit to the legitimate judgments of the governments under which they live. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment [Strong’s 2917, “damnation”] on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same” (Romans 13:1–3).
If we are tempted to lash out at an unjust judge, we need to remember that our Creator has given us the rulers we deserve, according to our sins. “Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes” (Proverbs 28:2). Were human beings not in a state of rebellion against God’s laws and statutes, there would be no need for the present human bureaucracies watching over so many details of our lives. Mankind brought this upon itself.
What about God’s Church? It is also up to God to appoint His ministers, to discern spiritual matters that pertain to His people. The Apostle Paul, for example, had the responsibility of rendering judgment and prescribing the correction of a Corinthian man who was having an adulterous relationship with his father’s wife. “For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged [passed a sentence to disfellowship] (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:3–5).
Was this an act of Paul’s vengeance, to “get back at” the sinner? No! It was a plan to bring him to repentance. Indeed, after the man repented and his brethren were reluctant to welcome him back into fellowship, it was Paul who commanded the Corinthians to accept him (2 Corinthians 2:3–11).
Paul made it clear that the ministry must encourage obedience both to the law of God and the legitimate ordinances of the land. “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, [which] He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:1–7).
In our daily lives, if we see a criminal perpetrating a crime, we understand that it is ordinarily best to contact the police rather than to take on a law-enforcement role that is not ours. The same principle applies in spiritual matters. When we encounter conflict with a brother or sister in Christ, God has delineated our role as peacemakers by giving us a simple formula to use to seek reconciliation (Matthew 18:15– 17). If a fellow Church member will not respond to our entreaties, we are to take the matter to the ministry, to whom God has deputed the authority to maintain peace in the congregation.
Sadly, however, we sometimes encounter those who seem to refuse to live at peace with others. They reject correction and are quick to speak ill of worldly and ministerial authorities. Often, these are the very same people who are the quickest to presume to condemn other people. What does the word of God tell us to do when faced with such people and attitudes? “But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned” (Titus 3: 9–11).
One famous instruction from the book of Proverbs gives us the “bottom line” solution for dealing with those who reject peace and seek to spread discord. “Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; yes, strife and reproach will cease” (Proverbs 22:10). We are not the judge of the scoffers potential members of God’s Family, but we should not let them drag us down to their level.
Be a Fruit Inspector
Perhaps you have heard the saying, “I have not been called to be a judge, but I am a fruit inspector!” If we have Christ living in us, we should be able to discern the works of the flesh and the attributes of the Holy Spirit. “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19–21). Those who secretly indulge in the works of the flesh should fear, because their sins will become known (Numbers 32:23; Mark 4:22–23).
Christ said it plainly: “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:20). Christians—begotten sons and daughters of God, filled with the Holy Spirit—are able to recognize that others are growing in the grace and knowledge of God. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:22–26).
God would be pleased to see that all were saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Yet it is His responsibility to determine who can be saved, and who must be condemned. If we ever catch ourselves “hoping” that someone will be condemned—will receive God’s eternal punishment—we can be sure that we are not exercising the Holy Spirit. As Christians, using the gifts of the Spirit, we are to discern others’ actions in light of Scripture (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). But while we must judge deeds rightly, we must not condemn people.
God has given the Church a framework through which His ministry is to provide guidance, direction and discipline to those whose conduct is hurting them or the Church. Let us each understand our responsibility within that framework, and not exceed the authority we have been given. Let us empty our pockets of whatever stones we may still be carrying with us. Remember, we will receive for ourselves what we wish for others.
—LCG Editorial Staff