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Christians, did God appoint us to judge everyone?
I know we are supposed to hold each other accountable as Christians. What about non-believers? Are we supposed to judge them? I see a lot of judging going on, and not a lot of showing God's love. I think we witness best when we are silent... thoughts?
13 Answers
- KALLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
...not just no but "heck no"! I think he made it crystal clear that we don't have the skills or the wisdom to do so with any degree of accuracy and that when we choose to judge others for their actions, we are giving them permission to judge us for our actions...and, more importantly, we're asking HIM to judge us in the same manner!
I agree that a silent witness is best...but it isn't sufficient. In science, we talk about reliability being a necessary but not sufficient condition for validity. In other words, if a particular measure (a scale for example) isn't reliable (consistent), it can't possibly provide valid (true) measures. We see the same thing in the courtroom...a witness is deemed "reliable" by his or her "character" (for example, a known crack head would likely be labeled an "unreliable witness" while a school teacher with no criminal behavior and no vested interest in the outcome would be considered a perfect witness in terms of reliability). Thing is, either party could be telling the truth...but their reliability determines whether the court can reasonably assume that their testimony is valid!
I'd argue that it works the same way when it comes to fulfilling God's instructions to be a witness for him. Being a "silent witness" involves demonstrating your reliability...by doing everything in your power to ensure that what people see is consistent with what you claim to believe. Until you can do that, anything you say can be legitimately rejected as invalid (untrue).
...and here's where the issue of accountability comes in. I do believe God made us responsible for helping our brothers and sisters recognize when their unreliable (inconsistent) behavior is causing others to question the validity of the message they're spreading. Furthermore, because the testimony of an unreliable witness can actually cause damage to the validity of the basic claim, I think he made us responsible for denying such witnesses the ability to "take the stand". For example, suppose that crack head WAS telling the truth but because of his unreliability, the jury not only dismissed his testimony but actually viewed it as evidence that the opposite was the truth! If that was a possibility, a smart attorney would try to keep this person off the witness stand!
- ImJstBobLv 41 decade ago
God give you insight and discernment over those outside the body of Christ to kow where to draw the line with regards to Godly behaivoir. However, all Christians should be reminded God is the judge of all persons. Saved and unsaved. It is not our place to be judgemental of unbelievers, but what happens is this, a Christian tells an unbveliver : Sorry I cant go there, or I cant do that, as it would be against my faith in God to do so". The unbeliever chooses to assume that the Christian is judging them, and takes offence. When in reality, a Christian has a right to say "no I can't go into the 'strip club' with you", ... or what ever the activity is that may be immoral.
It's a fine line, and alot of the times non-Christians don't try to understand our possition in things. They become intollerant of our need to say no to the flesh, and call it being judgemental.
I'm not sure I answered real well, cause I believe I only scratched the surface of this question, but the short of it is this Christians are not called to judge the world, but we are called to speak out against sin in love, and we should not let the threat of being called "intollerant" or "judgemental" stop us from speaking truth in love when needed.
- 1 decade ago
No we do not judge. Jesus is our judge. As for non-believers, we are supposed to love everyone. And as Christians we are supposed to be weak to the weak. Meaning that if some people arent ready for Gods word, do not force it on them, this will cause them to be pushed away and may also be a stumbling block for them, the Lord has a purpose for everything. To take the place of Jesus, in other words to judge or do anything that is Christ's appointed position would put you in position of being anti-christ. Anti meaning in place of.
- 5 years ago
Noota Oolah said it very well. And I agree with her - I think that we need to temper what we say with HOW we say it. For instance, if someone asks, the question, "Am I going to hell" - Sure we can find scriptures to support this stance, which only proves that there are scriptures to support this. If the person doesn't consider the Bible a factual resource, quoting the scripture may not be effective, because they don't believe the validity of the source. (Kind of like hearing answers from two different people, one you might believe because you trust the source and the other you might not believe because you don't trust the source).
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- palmermom3Lv 61 decade ago
WE are to judge no one. That is taking God's right and power away from Him. Holding one accountable or resposible isn't the same thing as Judging.
- main manLv 41 decade ago
There are places where people are to 'judge' (little 'j') or evaluate another, only God is to 'Judge' (big 'J'). To often we desire to serve God but only as an adviser to Him. We can't do His work & only frustrate ourselves & those around us when we try. I tell people like that to 'Do the tasks you're capabile of & let the Master do His.'
- Anonymous1 decade ago
I guess my question to you is what do you mean by judging? Is it judgmental to say that Scripture forbids homosexual sex? No, it is simply a statement of fact. Is it judgmental to treat a homosexual in an unloving manner because they are homosexual? probably.
But remember we are called to preach the Gospel to all of mankind. We cannot force them to believe it or to accept it, nor should we if we could. We cannot silently preach the Gospel. (waiting on the usually misquoted and misunderstood St. Francis quote.)
- thundercatt9Lv 71 decade ago
When the subject of judging comes up among believers, the first place most Christians go to is Matthew 7:1.
Matthew 7:1.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Most people will stop right there, and conclude, "Jesus said don't judge." But we've got to read on to see this in context, so that we can determine what he was really saying.
Matthew 7:2.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with the measure which ye measure with, it shall be measured to you again.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thy own eye?
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thy eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thy own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thy own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Now it becomes clear. Jesus wasn't saying, "Don't judge." He was saying, "Don't judge your brother without first judging yourself." His exhortation was to remove the plank or beam from your brother's eye first, so that you can see clearly to remove the speck of sawdust from your brother's eye.
Part of the problem we have with judging is that when people say "judge" they usually mean or imply "condemn," but that is not what is talked about here. "To judge" means "to make a distinction" or "to separate." You judge every day, in every aspect of life. You had to make a judgment in order to decide what clothes to wear today, or what to eat. We are also responsible for judging between truth and error. What are we not supposed to judge right now? Men's hearts! God has not authorized us to judge other people's hearts and minds.
If a Christian makes a judgment from a sense of moral superiority he/she would be wrong! The proper sense of morality would be that except for the grace of God there go I, rather than a false sense of moral superiority. The Bible requires a Christian to use spiritual discernment to come to the truth of a matter but no where does the Bible address this matter for an unbeliever.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Did you die on the cross for me or anybody else. Everybody needs to stop trying to do God's job for him. WE are to honor his commandments of love and understanding. Not sitting on the judgment seat. We are to love the sinner but hate the sin and a lot of people just get it backwards.
- 1 decade ago
it is not our place to judge anyone. we are only suppose to help each other. there is only one judge and that is God.