JUDGING AND TOUCHING THE UNTOUCHABLES
By: Victor T. Stephens
"If an offense comes out of the truth, better is it that the offense come than that the truth be concealed."
~ Thomas Hardy
THE WRONG KIND OF JUDGING
As pointed out, God's Word does not forbid judging, but it does condemn the wrong kind of judging. Judging someone unjustifiably is a serious matter and could lead to a person's reputation being severely damaged. Thus, we should make sure that we do not judge someone without taking the time to carefully weigh the evidence. We should not use conjectures or make snap judgments. To come to our own conclusions that are unaided by substantiation is likely to be faulty.
Let's now examine the following scriptures:
1) "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matt. 7:1-5)
This passage does not mean we should never judge. As noted earlier, it means we should not judge hypocritically (Rom 2:3). Many people are capable of seeing the speck in the eyes of others, but are not always willing to acknowledge the log in their own. Before passing judgment on someone else, we should first judge ourselves. If we forestall judging ourselves, then we will be judged by the very same standards that we use to judge others. Thus, we should be particularly careful when judging someone. If we judge ourselves rightly, then we are qualified to judge others (verse 5).
Many of us have probably heard someone say something like, "You need to stop judging people and get off your self-righteous high horse." Ironically, those who do not fully understand the right and wrong ways of judging could be guilty of the very thing they accuse those who judge rightly. Thus, they trap themselves. Perhaps when they clear away the "Judge not" speck from their own eye, maybe they will be capable of ascertaining whether someone is judging righteously or hypocritically.
2) "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37)
This verse tells us that we should not judge others from a faultfinding, hypercritical attitude in which we are geared up to destroy another person's character. Those who engage in this type of judging seem to gain malicious delight from character assassination. Too often, even the best endeavors of a wife or husband are condemned by a spouse who, when this raucous attitude exists, can do nothing rightly. This form of judging is not only wrong, but it is indicative of hatred in one's heart.
3) "For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks." (Rom. 14:2-6)
This passage tells us that we should not judge someone based upon what is proper to eat and what day to worship. Judging peripheral matters is wrong, senseless, and inconsequential. In nonessential issues, honest Christians can differ without being divisive. Unfortunately, many professing pastors focus on verse four ("Who are you to judge another's servant?") as an attempt to prohibit a critique of their doctrines. This verse, however, has no relation to judging significant deviations of Scripture.
4) "Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge." (James 4:11)
False teachers also use this verse in their efforts to muzzle any opposition and corrections of their errant doctrines. However, James 4:11 is speaking in the context of improperly judging fellow believers. False teachers do not qualify as members of the body of Christ. Nevertheless, whether a person is a true believer or a false teacher, slandering someone should always be avoided.
Let's bear in mind, however, that there is a distinction between "slandering" and "judging" by the Word of God. Christians have the right to discern good from evil. We also have the authority to expose and rebuke false teachers (1 Tim. 5:20). "Slandering," however, is when we engage in vicious verbal condemnations, gossip behind another person's back, discrimination, and false accusations. That said, we must study God's Word so that we can differentiate between right and wrong judging.
CONCLUSION
Hopefully, we can now see the recklessness of the indecent use of Psalm 105:15 ("Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm."). Moreover, I hope this article has added balance to our understanding of the right and wrong kinds of judging.
No doubt, however, many of those who are enslaved to political correctness, idolatry, or a personal agenda will continue to grumble and play the "Touch not" and "Judge not" cards. Their predilection for giving their "man of God" a free pass for their false teachings and ungodly conduct should come as no surprise.
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