A Great Misconception

Let's start judging if we are, in truth, spiritual.

Countless professing Christians are taught, and then they in turn parrot, that the Bible commands us to not judge. However, the Bible teaches the contrary with one critical exception. Those Christians turn that exception into the rule. “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself (his heart) is judged of no man” (1 Corinthians 2:15). God Himself desires that we judge ALL THINGS. The one and only thing that we are forbidden to judge is the heart. Matthew 7:1 states, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” The reason is that only God knows the heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” This rhetorical question declares that only our Maker knows the heart. A very common occurrence, as but one example, where this commandment is violated is in the courtroom. Oftentimes, the convicted would express remorse and regret to the families for the grave wrong that they have committed against their loved ones. Family members would then respond in judgment, “You are not sorry. Rot in Hell.” Since they are not privy to this man’s or woman’s heart, they must in sincerity accept those words of contrition.

The Bible goes on to guide how we are to conduct those judgements. The Lord Jesus commands, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment”. In other words, we are to judge based on evidence not according to the appearance. And righteous judgment is judgement where the statute consulted and applied is the Bible. Our beautiful Saviour judged daily, especially addressing falsehood and pretentiousness and self-righteousness. Do we claim to follow Him, and then shy away from His example? Striving to follow our Saviour does not only entail bringing a hot apple crumble to our neighbour every month, if of course this is your thing. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation” (Matthew 23:14).

In our world today, there are judgments on every hand. We do, though imperfectly, what God does because we are made in His image. Police Officers, Safe Codes Officers, Lawyers, Judges, Prosecutors, Juries, Insurance Companies, Carpenters, Plumbers, Electricians etc. etc. judge daily and are paid to do so! In matters of religion it is fair game and just and required to judge doctrines, deities, ministries, messages, methods, new versions of the Bible, other so called holy books, false religions, cult founders, cult leaders, etc. I dare you! Just go ripping down the highway at 160 km/hour and when you are stopped, say to the officer: “Who do you think you are to judge me? The Bible teaches we are not supposed to judge!” and let me know how you make out. If he or she is one of the many excellent officers, he/she will say, “Have a nice day”, as you are handed a $700 ticket! This is not a true dare! Don’t do that! It’s an illustration to make a point.

“I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say” (1 Corinthians 10:15). Here God is declaring that the wise judge, even encouraging those believers to judge/assess what Paul is speaking, so as to be persuaded in their own minds. Romans 14:5, “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” To tell another that they are not supposed to judge is in and of itself a judgement! Have you considered that? Such is the folly of this great misconception! Moreover, it represents a willful and crafty distortion of God’s clear and irrefutable Word to cloak cowardliness! I will close with God’s Word which sums it up quite nicely: “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” (1 Corinthians 6:2).