Judging

Mark Dunagan
06/12/11 - Sunday Morning

 

Judging

While people playing the "don't judge me" card, may seem to be a relatively recent development in our culture, it's not:

Genesis 19:6-9

"But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, and said, 'Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly'… But they said, 'Stand aside'. Furthermore, they said, 'This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge, now we will treat you worse than them'".

What a sad yet fascinating account.

• Lot does his best to be polite, even saying please, and even making unnecessary compromises to these evil men, yet he stillis accused of being judgmental. Obviously, nothing short of Lot remaining completely silent while these men to did whatever they wanted with no interference, would be the only way to appease them.
• Although they deserved damnation upon their first such act, these men had been living very wicked lives for some time (Genesis 13:13). As yet as they were yet again in the process of attempting to do something abominable, they immediately complain about being "judged".
• The attitude of "don't judge me" isn't found here at the moral height of a civilization, but near the very end.
• No real argument or justification is given with this excuse. The complaint is given when what is being done has no excuse and cannot be justified.

You Will Hear The Phrase "Don't Judge Me!" Being Used Today When...

• One does not want to be reminded that he or she is doing something wrong.
• Being reminded of one's responsibilities toward God.
• One's life comes under needed scrutiny.
• One's arguments and justifications are not standing up under close examination.
• When one is trying to conceal the real reasons or motivations for one's behavior.

Christians and Judging

Only occasionally I will hear someone who professes to follow Christ falling back on this trite phrase, but for the most part I have only rarely heard it used among strong and faithful Christians. I believe there are a number of reasons for this:

The Final Judgment

Christians know that ultimately life is all about being examined, for every Christian is preparing for that day when everything, and I mean everything that they have said or done will be examined:

• "For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
• "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10).

At the Present

We also are aware that everything we are doing at any given moment is being examined:

• "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:12).

In the Limelight

There is equally the reality of where God has placed us. In choosing Christ, we have been placed as the light and salt of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). As a natural result we will standout, "Among whom you appear as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15). People will see that we are striving for a higher standard, and this will often draw scorn, persecution, misunderstanding (1 Peter 2:12; 4:4) from those who may feel guilty, as well as drawing respect from others who recognize and are inspired by the value of living life God's way. James clearly says that those who teach (publicly) among God's people will "incur a stricter judgment" (James 3:1). So Christians are use to having their lives closely examined, in fact, we actually want people to look closely at the type of lives we are living and the things we believe, because we want to draw people to Christ through godly living (1 Peter 3:1) and continually improving ourselves in preparation to meet our God. For this reason, Christians are often reminded to keep their behavior excellent because we are being constantly watched, and sometimes by people who want nothing more than to find a way to discredit Christianity, for they really can't find any fault with it in other areas:

• "In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us" (Titus 2:7-8).
• "And give the enemy no occasion for reproach" (1 Timothy 5:14).

Self Examination

In addition to being examined by others, Christians are continually examining themselves to ensure they are accomplishing and behaving in ways that God has instructed and doing it all for the right reasons:

• "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you no recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you fail the test?" (2 Corinthians 13:5).

We Are Expected to be Discerning

It seems that the whole "don't judge me" attitude came along in our culture at about the same time as the "there is no absolute truth" mentality. The myth surrounding judging today seems to be that since no one can really say that this or that is right or wrong, that there is no way that any individual or group can accurately assess any given behavior to be wrong. By contrast, Jesus taught something entirely different. He expected Christians see right and wrong and make the appropriate response, either of supporting the right or not supporting the wrong:

• "Do not judge according to appearance but judge with righteous judgment" (John 7:24). This verse actually commands us to make judgments based on God's righteous standard, rather than human opinions.

Consider as well the following verses in which various instructions are given, all going back to the idea of making a judgment:

• "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them" (Ephesians 5:11).
• "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
• "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).
• "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves"(Matthew 10:16).

Surprised At The Accusation

I think most Christians are actually surprised when someone accuses them of either judging or being judgmental. Why?

• As Christians, we have no interest of imposing our personal opinions on others. When we must challenge people about something they are doing, it is only on something they are doing that will have eternal consequences. How ironic that the world by its public institutions and media is constantly imposing its opinions on people (Romans 12:2), yet people do not consider that to be judgmental, although imposing an opinion is exactly what being judgmental is all about.
• We are not imposing our opinions or views on others, we are only trying to patiently and lovingly inform people what God has said on the matter. We are simply relaying the views of the actual Judge before judgment falls! This, above all other gifts, is invaluable, and should be greatly appreciated.

Matthew 7:1-6

This is the section of Scripture that many think supports their idea of not judging anyone. The truth is, it actually teaches the opposite:

• Before Jesus spoke Matthew 7:1-6, He gave many judgments against all sorts of things. He pronounced judgments upon lust (5:28), anger (5:22); adultery (5:27), divorce in the absence of sexual immorality (5:32); false oaths (5:33); hypocrisy (6:1-5), not laying up treasure in heaven (6:20), and loving wealth (6:24).
• The judging that is condemned in Matthew 7:1-5 is judging that is hypocritical, that is, trying to help someone correct a problem in their life when you are walking around with a far bigger problem (7:4).
• Note something critically important: Jesus does not tell the person with the log in their eye that they are forever unqualified to help, rather, He tells them first to get rid of their problem and then to help the person who has the speck in their eye. How reassuring to know that people can indeed overcome big problems. It further reveals that people who have overcome big problems can actually lend a hand to others. And it teaches that people with smaller problems still need to correct those problems. Even a speck in the eye is dangerous and needs to be removed, for over time it can evolve into a log.
• Jesus closes this section with a warning about trying to teach and help people who will not appreciate your help (7:6). May God grant us wisdom, courage, and discretion in this important area of service!

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net