How about judging others?
Introduction. The answer to many questions about the Bible requires careful consideration of all the Bible reveals on a given subject. Taking a single verse as a definitive answer too often leads to the wrong conclusion. Many view Matt. 7:1 ("Judge not") as simply answering the question above, but such an answer is incomplete and misleading.
Some sinful forms of judgment. The scriptures reveal a number of sinful judgments. Superficial judgment is singularly condemned. Jesus command, "Judge not according to the appearance..." (John 7:24). The Jews were condemning Jesus because it appeared he had broken the Sabbath (John 7:21-24). They did not possess the facts. Prejudicial judgment is pronounced as wrong. If we answer a matter before we hear it, Solomon said, "it is folly and shame" (Prov. 18:13). There is also judgment which is the result of a disposition simply to condemn, this judgment is sinful (Jas. 4:11). Subjective judgment – judging according to one's feelings – is also condemned (cf. Prov. 28:26). We are wrong if we judge another when we ourselves are guilty of greater sin (Matt. 7:1-5).
We are to judge righteous judgment. While we acknowledge there is sinful judgment, the scriptures actually require the right kind of judgment. Hear the Lord, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). Jesus approved of righteous judgment (Luke 7:43, 12:57). Lydia asked Paul to judge her (Acts 16:15), Paul told the Romans to judge (Rom. 2:27), and Paul himself rendered judgment (1 Cor. 5:3). In fact, Christians are to judge each other (1 Cor. 6:1-6). Righteous judgment requires knowing the facts (Matt. 7:20). How can we "try the spirits," receive not errorists, and "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" if we do not judge (discern and pronounce as wrong)? (1 John 4:1, 2 John 9-11, Eph. 5:11). However, we must exercise righteous judgment in many areas, using God's word as the standard (John 12:48, Gal. 2:14).
Some sinful forms of judgment. The scriptures reveal a number of sinful judgments. Superficial judgment is singularly condemned. Jesus command, "Judge not according to the appearance..." (John 7:24). The Jews were condemning Jesus because it appeared he had broken the Sabbath (John 7:21-24). They did not possess the facts. Prejudicial judgment is pronounced as wrong. If we answer a matter before we hear it, Solomon said, "it is folly and shame" (Prov. 18:13). There is also judgment which is the result of a disposition simply to condemn, this judgment is sinful (Jas. 4:11). Subjective judgment – judging according to one's feelings – is also condemned (cf. Prov. 28:26). We are wrong if we judge another when we ourselves are guilty of greater sin (Matt. 7:1-5).
We are to judge righteous judgment. While we acknowledge there is sinful judgment, the scriptures actually require the right kind of judgment. Hear the Lord, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). Jesus approved of righteous judgment (Luke 7:43, 12:57). Lydia asked Paul to judge her (Acts 16:15), Paul told the Romans to judge (Rom. 2:27), and Paul himself rendered judgment (1 Cor. 5:3). In fact, Christians are to judge each other (1 Cor. 6:1-6). Righteous judgment requires knowing the facts (Matt. 7:20). How can we "try the spirits," receive not errorists, and "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" if we do not judge (discern and pronounce as wrong)? (1 John 4:1, 2 John 9-11, Eph. 5:11). However, we must exercise righteous judgment in many areas, using God's word as the standard (John 12:48, Gal. 2:14).