One of such items is when we are criticized by someone and immediately we throw up a roadblock, "You can't judge. Only God can." That is a shut down in our growth. We are told we can't judge and many use that belief in stopping any further examining. It is stated from the religious world over and over, "You can't judge!" And listen to us tiptoe around a subject by stating: "I'm not trying to judge but..." We know something needs to be said, but we are fearful people might take us as judging. It creates a fear but the bigger thing is it creates a compromise to uphold sin.
Of course we know where people get this mindset. "Do not judge so that you will not be judged." (Matthew 7:1) Jesus said that. But what did He mean? Many say He means what He said but the very next verse begins with the word for which explains what He meant. "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:2) It's the way one judges. It's the standard one uses to judge. That's what we have to be careful about because whatever standard you use, that will be the standard used on you. Some people are just critical and harsh. If that's their standard of measure, the Lord will use that same standard on them. But what if we use God's righteousness as the standard of our judgment? Jesus made sure those Jews who constantly excused themselves from following the Law for their own personal thoughts understood judging. "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with a righteous judgment." (John 7:24) Why do we say Jesus said not to judge, yet Jesus calls to judge with a righteous judgment? The standard is God and His purpose. It's always God and the truth of His word. Too many judge wanting to see others condemned and see their guilt carried to the fullest amount of punishment. That's not a righteous judgment. Many want to feel superior and that is the standard of their judgment. That's why Jesus brought up that many were looking at every little detail of wrong they could find in others and can't see anything about themselves (Matthew 7:3). When one is concerned for the righteousness of God, you will humbly clean things up in your life, so you can see how to help others (Matthew 7:5). That's a righteous judgment.
When a brother or sister is caught in sin, you have to make a righteous judgment to help them out (Galatians 6:1). The judgment is they are in sin and the need is to bring them back to God. In the church, sin can abound as it did in Corinth (I Corinthians 5). No one was concerned or upset about the situation. Paul pronounces them guilty, as it is horrible for one claiming Christ to be acting this way. Paul points to the goal in this judgment: "...so that their spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." (I Corinthians 5:5) To cut people off, to dismiss them from the church, it is all about saving, not harshness. The righteous judgment of God involves His mercy, wanting to see people saved. It's calling sin, sin, but there is a merciful tone to it.
Aren't you glad the Lord didn't cut you off and condemn you the last time you sinned? We can judge others using God and His word as the standard. If someone steals, they are a thief. God says that and they need a heart change. If they refuse to listen to the message of God, go your way. It's time we stop fearing and responding to the call of the Lord. We can judge. Just do it with saving intent.
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