To View the Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0Z2HxNAnucc
SHOW NOTES
Hi, friends! Welcome to another week of the Hope Rescue Podcast. This week we are continuing our series called “Dumb Things Christians Say” by discussing the popular cliche “never judge others.” We are going to dig into what we are actually called to according to scripture and discuss why this cliche is not entirely accurate.
Tim starts by simply explaining that we actually are called to judge others. The Bible makes it clear that we are supposed to judge other believers based on their behaviors. This doesn’t imply that we should be harsh or shaming when judging other believers, but we should speak truth and hold our brothers and sisters in Christ accountable. We can judge others without rejecting them or condemning them. When we judge others' behaviors, we have to remember who the ultimate judge is. Our judgements have to align with what the Word of God says; we can't judge others based on our personal opinions or feelings.
The second point is that we are not called to judge the world, we are called to judge other believers. We cannot expect the world to live according to the moral code of the Bible, because the world has never held that standard for themselves. If someone doesn’t claim to be a follower of Christ, we cannot judge him or her for not living a godly life.
People may be under the impression that Christians should never judge because of Matthew 7:1-5 which says, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” The purpose of this passage is not to say we should never judge another person, but that we need to “take the log out of our own eye” before pointing out wrong behavior in another believer. It is hypocritical to judge someone for a behavior that you are also doing.
The goal of judging another believer should never be to condemn, shame, or reject them. It should be to assist and encourage them. If you go back to episode 6 “God Releases the Past” you can find a deeper explanation of how to approach someone who sins against you in a private and respectful way.
Tim closes by quoting Galatians 6:1 which says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Remember, the goal of judging another believer should always be to assist and encourage, not condemn. Join us next week as we continue this series! We love you guys!
QUOTES
“The goal of judging another believer should never be to condemn, shame, or reject them. It should be to assist and encourage them.” -Tim
“If our intention is to draw others closer to the Lord, we won't succeed by rejecting or shaming others for their sins.” -Kimberly
“Sin is a symptom. The remedy is Christ.” -Kimberly
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.”
Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
