I've been thinking about this post for a while now. The topic has really been on my heart. I guess because it's in the forefront of my mind right now with everything going on.
The bible in Matthew 7:1-2 says, "DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you." (Amplified)
If you know me, you know how much I enjoy studying the original language of the bible. Well, the word "judge" is the word "krino" in the Greek and part of its definition is:to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose
to approve, esteem, to prefer
to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion
to determine, resolve, decree
to judge
to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong
to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one's case may be examined and judgment passed upon it
to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure
of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others
There are many parts of that Greek definition that I can learn from and need to apply to my life regularly but the part that sticks out to me right now is: to pronounce an opinion concerning right or wrong.
Now, that is convicting!! But here is where it becomes applicable. If we are going to live according to what the bible tells us to do, then we are never ever to place judgement meaning to pronounce our opinion concerning right or wrong about how another is dealing with any situation. Our "opinions" need to be what is solid fact from God's word and we should never place what is not in the word of God as a stipulation on someone else's life. In fact, we should probably only look into our own life for faults in how we live. I know I could spend all my time there!
Isn't it wonderful what we can learn from God's word when we actually take time to study it.
Pronouncing our opinions about other people's lives is part of our culture and most definitely accepted even in the church, but if we are going to follow Christ and truly do what He calls us to do, we will not take part in this whether it be in our head or in our hearts.
What a challenge to myself today. I love God's word.
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4 comments:
what about 1 Corinthians 5:12-13? “It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12-13
Matthew 7:1-5 says DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.
2For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.
3Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother's eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye?
4Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own eye?
5You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother's eye.
And since I’m sure you agree that scripture cannot contradict itself. We must look at 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 and Matthew 7:1-5 closely.
I think this chart shows clearly what you are talking about in judging and in fact the word “judge” is krino in both scriptures.
I guess my point in the post is that God is the only judge. I am not even to go and speak to another person about their sin unless I have dealt with my own sin between me and my God and if the Spirit specifically tells me to do so.
I am not to go out looking for people to pick out their flaws and throw them out of the church. Any activity along these lines including the last definition in the word “krino” : of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others is wrong according to Matthew 7 and 1 Corinthians 5:12-13.
Growing up in an extremely judgmental environment, my soul just hesitates to ever put myself as the judge in someone else’s life in their actions or assuming someone else’s motives. This is not my job but God’s.
If you would like to further this discussion I would appreciate if you would e-mail me. I typically do not answer or publish anonymous comments but I did this time to clarify in case someone else was confused. Thanks.
The chart did not come through. It is from the NLT Life Application Bible and it says:
Situations:
Unintentional error and/or private sin
Public sin and/or done flagrantly and arrogantly
Steps according to Matthew 18:15-17:
1) Go to the brother or sister; show fault to him or her in private.
2) If he/she does not listen, go with one or two witnesses.
3)If he/she refuses to listen, take the matter before the church.
After these steps have been carried out, the next steps are:
1)Remove the one in error from the fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:2-13)
2)The church gives united disapproval, but forgiveness and comfort are in order if the person chooses to repent. (2 Corinthians 2:5-8)
3) Do not associate with the disobedient person; and if you must, speak to him or her as one who needs warning. (2 Thes 3:14-15)
4) After two warnings, reject the person from the fellowship. (Titus 3:10)
Ashley,
I think such an important point here is the difference between judging (acting based on a clear conviction from God and His Word) and being judgmental (deciding it is our job to meade out judgment into eachother's lives). We are sometimes called by the Lord, prompted by the Holy Spirit to address a sin issue in love, but it should never be a source of pleasure to us or be seen as a badge of honor. These are situations in which we certainly must ask the Lord to cleanse any such sin in our lives before we can be used as His vessel. Being used by the Lord to "speak the truth in love" into a difficult situation is certainly different than "deal[ing] out" judgment, criticism, and condemnation.
Great post!
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