Is it scriptually accurate for a Christian to judge someone for their actions?

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   TattedKajunposted 12 years ago

   Is it scriptually accurate for a Christian to judge someone for their actions?
   
   The Bible makes reference to judgement numerous times. Our teachings are from the NT. So according to the books in the NT is it right for us as believers to judge someone? If so, when is it necessary? And does this include non-believers?

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2. 60

   point2makeposted 12 years ago

   The Bible teaches believers to "be not deceived". Over and over we are told to be vigilant and trust in the Word. We judge people's actions and words because we do not want to "be deceived". We must always line up, what people say and do, with the Scriptures to see if it is true. That is judging other people as we must do. What we cannot do is judge someone's soul. God will do that in His own time. We do not have the right to condemn another person. We do have the right, indeed the duty, to judge their actions and words. Our walk with God is our responsibility. There are those who will try to pull you off that path. Be careful and see that you are not deceived.

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3. 76

   ginjill ashberryposted 12 years ago

   Remember when Jesus said to the crowd of people who judge and punish the adulterous woman? He said, "Who among you who has not sinned; may he cast the first stone." Much of the new testament teaches us to be humble and loving. We are all sinners to start with; no one is better than the other, until we are redeemed through Christ's loving sacrifice. If we know of someone who has sinned, we should talk to the person in private and show them their error. Discuss it and give good advice. We can be deceive but If the Holy Spirit dwells in us, He will speak to us in many ways to show us that we have been deceived. That is why it is essential for fellow christians to have a close relationship with God, to be part of a fellowship so we can build and encourage one another. When the other is weak, or if one of us stumbles, the other(s) will support him/her. There is no judgment in this. For everything is taught in the Bible, we might misinterpret it, but His Holy Spirit will always guide our hearts towards the truth. Shalom!

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4. 73

   lone77starposted 12 years ago

   We are taught foremost to love God and to love others as we love ourselves. If we follow this, we cannot judge others.
   
   We are also taught not to judge, lest we be judged.
   
   What happens when we judge others (and I've seen many so-called Christians judge others)? The person doing the judging is made to seem "right" in their own eyes, and the other person is made to seem "wrong." This is if we judge them negatively. But the same happens when we judge others positively.
   
   Judging strokes our own egos (the master of this world).
   
   When a so-called Christian thinks that their interpretation of the Bible is superior to that of others, they are following ego. Until we are walking on water, we should remain humble, for the truth will not come to a closed heart and mind. And perhaps, even when walking on water, humility may remain critical so that the devil (ego) will not re-enter our hearts.

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5. 59

   RevLadyposted 12 years ago

   In the context of Scripture, we know that the Apostles, particularly Paul, judged the people in the church and Jesus Himself was rather candid in judging many of the religious leaders of His day. So we must ask ourselves, in what sense are we to understand the command against judging if judging was not altogether avoided by our Lord?
   
   I believe that if we examine the relevant Scriptural passages in proper context, we will discover our answer. In Matthew, Jesus tells us "Do not judge, or you too will be judged…" But we note that He does not stop there. He includes a significant detail later in the verse, "first take the plank out of your own eye, then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." These and other passages seem to suggest Jesus was instructing us against engaging in HYPOCRITICAL judgment. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is more succinct. First He tells us what is unacceptable judging and then He tells us what is acceptable judging: UNACCEPTABLE: "…Stop judging by mere appearances, ACCEPTABLE: “make a right judgment" (7:24).
   
   The key here is making a right judgment. It is not a matter of first impressions, opinions, biases or assumptions. It is only when we probe beneath appearances that we are able to make right judgments. We must consider the facts that are not evident to the human eye. Ignorance blinds judgment. And, if we do not know the facts we make ignorant judgments and this is what Jesus warns us against.
   Proper judgment is always loving in nature. If we observe moral or spiritual shortcomings in a person, we should strive to help him/her progress toward greater faithfulness. This is what Paul sought when he admonished the Galatians - "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently." 6:1a
   Even though Jesus does not seem to renounce all judgment, it is crystal clear that He forbids hypocritical judging. He draws a sharp line between ethical/Christian appraisal and mean criticism. As Christians, it is incumbents upon us to always focus more attention on our own imperfections than the imperfections of others. As someone said, "we are to view our own shortcomings as logs and those of others as mere specks."

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6. 60

   preacher2003posted 12 years ago

   we can judge the "tree" by the "fruit" it bares  / we are never to judge the soul, as only God knows the innermost thoughts and reasonings -
   
   However -
   
   when a person such as the lady who died recently and was very popular, is proclaimed as a Christian, because she was baptist, sang Jesus loves me or etc - the " fruit" was just mot there -
   
   having your name on a church role or membership card, being of a denomination and etc - will not save you -
   
   So yes, we can judge -

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