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When is judgment sinful?


Introduction. The questioner does well to presuppose that not all judgment is sinful. In fact, Jesus requires judgment that is righteous: "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7: 24). Notice required judgment is "righteous" which suggests the existence of unrighteous judgment.

Subjective judgment. "I feel such is wrong (or right) within my heart," some say. People who thus judge are guilty of subjective judgment. The wise man wrote: "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool" (Prov. 28: 26). In using such an individual, subjective standard of judgment, people can seldom agree. We are to "walk wisely" using God's word as the standard (Prov. 28: 26; John 12: 48).

Judgment based on the assignment of motives. While God knows men's hearts (John 2: 25), we do not (1 Cor. 2: 11). Instead of attempting to assign motives, we are to judge others' fruit or actions (Matt. 7: 15-20).

There are several additional ways in which we can render sinful judgment. Superficial judgment without knowing all the facts is wrong (John 7: 24). Judgment made as a result of prejudice is forbidden (Prov. 18: 13). So is judging based on personal favoritism (James 2:1-7).  Of course, there is always harsh, hypocritical judgment per Matt. 7:1-4 (which many abuse to falsely teach we are never to judge, despite passages that require us to judge righteously).

Assuming the role of a judge. Jesus said, "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5: 22). You or I must not act as final judge (Jas. 4: 11-12). This is not to say that we are not to apply God's word coupled with all relevant facts, determine the rightness or wrongness of a matter, and take appropriate action, even if it involves speaking to others about their sinful conduct (cf. 1 John 4: 1; Matt. 18:15; Eph. 5: 10-11; 1 Cor. 5).
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