What Does It Mean To Judge?

 

Judge definition:

A: a public official authorized to decide questions brought before a court

B: one appointed to decide in a contest or competition: UMPIRE

C: one who gives an authoritative opinion

D: CRITIC

 

One of the Greek words for judge is anakrino. It means to examine, investigate, to question.

The world always says that “Only God can judge them!” That's from the Book of Tupac! If they really knew what the judgment of God entails, they would never say that. For some reason, people (even professing Christians) say that we are not to judge. The scripture often sited is Matthew 7:1, “Judge not lest you be judged.” If you isolate that verse, then you have a leg to stand on. But Jesus makes that statement based on the following verses. You see, one has to read the entire text to understand the context.

This is what He says starting with verse two, “For with judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with what measure you meet, it shall be measured unto you. And why behold the mote that is in your brother’s eye, but not consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, let me cast out the mote (speck) in your eye and lo, the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of your eye, and then you can see clearly to cast out the mote that is in your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:2-5).

You see the point Jesus was making? You cannot help someone with their problem, if you have a bigger problem than they do. That makes one a hypocrite. Jesus said in John 7:24, “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment (italics mine).  What is the point Jesus is making in Matthew and John’s gospels, we judge based on verifiable facts, not on appearance, and not hypocritically (Romans 2:1).

Where we are commanded to judge

In John 4:1 the apostle commands us to test the spirits for many false prophets have come into the world. What determines a false prophet? Someone who speaks lies in the name of the Lord and one who teaches false doctrine. We are to call that out as heresy. Why? Because if we don’t, many people will be deceived and led astray. So, this a Biblical mandate to judge. Paul in Titus said one of the qualifications of an elder is to be able to teach sound (or healthy) doctrine both to exhort and convict or rebuke those who contradict (or speak against, Titus 1:9). What does that mean? We have to examine and make a decision (i.e. judge) the false doctrine that we hear. How? Through the lens of scripture.

We are to judge not condemn

Believe it or not there is a difference. Judging involves drawing conclusions after examining the facts. Detectives, lawyers, private investigators must make judgments. Why? Because they are fact finders. What people mean when they cry out, “Don’t judge me” is they do not want someone to pass sentence on them as if they are a judge in a court of law. So many people that do want to be judged are always judging themselves. Those who hate God love to judge that God is a monster because He allows evil. Progressive Christians are saying for God the Father to send Christ to die is cosmic child abuse. Or they judge the Bible saying it condoned slavery or the denigration of women. Are these not judgments – unrighteous judgments at that?  That is judging and condemning. Something man does not have the right to do unless they are indeed a judge and passing sentence on convicted criminals.

Again, we judge unrighteous when we criticize someone with a problem, and we have a bigger problem than them; that’s hypocritical. We also judge unrighteously when we make rash decisions without examining and gathering all the facts of a matter.

As an apologist we MUST judge everything against the Word of God. If what was said or done is against the word of God, we rebuke it. This must always be done in love and truth (Ephesians 4:15). Judging is always going to come across as harsh so we need to be as tenderhearted as we can. The writer’s intent is to always point all to the truth of God’s Word and not share my opinion only.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.                          

- 1 Peter 3:15