Christians Judging?

This topic has come up several times over the years and I hope this helps all who read it understand the Truth about Judging. First; John 7:24 – “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
Some will quote Matthew 7:1—“Judge not, lest you be judged”—to claim that it is “unchristian” to identify people’s sins or those that plague a society. How many times have you heard someone say, “Don’t judge me” or “Christians are not to judge others”?
I ask you, how can a Christian be expected to stay away from people of bad character, as the Bible commands (I Cor. 5:1-5; I Tim. 6:3-6), if they are not allowed to judge their actions— identify their inappropriate behavior? Also, how could Paul instruct Christians to “mark” and “avoid” divisive people (Rom. 16:7) unless the behavior of those people, unless judgments were made?
The word “judge” in Matthew 7:1 comes from the Greek word krino, which can mean “to try, condemn, punish” or “to distinguish, decide.” The context depends upon how the word is used.
The apostle John wrote, “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn [krino] the world; but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). Yet, Paul used this same Greek word to teach that true Christians are in training to judge the whole world—including angels: “Do you not know that the saints shall judge [krinos] the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know you not that we shall judge [krinos] angels? How How much more things that pertain to this life?” (I Cor. 6:2-3). Four chapters later, he added, “I speak as to wise men; judge [krinos] you what I say” (I Cor. 10:15). Obviously, Paul did not intend for the Corinthians to condemn his words, but rather to judge—“decide”—whether he was teaching sound doctrine.
When Jesus said, “Judge not, lest you be judged,” He meant that you can sometimes avoid judgment coming upon yourself by avoiding judging others. This does not mean that Christians are never to judge. Rather, in certain situations, it is better to avoid rendering a judgment—a decision about, an evaluation of, conduct or behavior—lest you bring judgment upon yourself. If you decide to judge, be careful, as whatever standard you use to render a decision will be used on yourself: “For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matt. 7:2).
Think about it, If Jesus had meant Christians should never judge, period, then He would have contradicted Himself when He said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge [krinos] righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Christ clearly stated that Christians are to judge others. However, we are to use righteous judgment. If a person judges righteously, he will avoid judgment coming upon himself.
Christians overlook John 7:24 and focus only on Matthew 7:1. They fail to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together, so they stumble and are snared (Isa. 28:13).
The key to understanding John 7:24 is found beginning three verses sooner. Referring to His healing a man on the Sabbath day, to which the Pharisees objected, “Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and you all marvel.” According to the Pharisees, healing on the Sabbath was considered work, so they accused Him of breaking the Sabbath.
In verses 22-23, Jesus continues His discourse: “Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision…and you on the Sabbath day circumcise a man. [According to the Law of Moses, a male child was to be circumcised eight days after being born, which would sometimes fall on the Sabbath.] If a man on the Sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are you angry at Me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the Sabbath day?”
The Pharisees constantly accused Christ of deviating from the Law of Moses. They claimed to uphold this law down Jesus used this to His advantage and asked them why they considered it lawful to circumcise a child on the Sabbath, but unlawful to make “a man every whit whole”? Christ pointed out the hypocrisy of their “logic.” (Remember the example earlier concerning Mark 2:27-28.)
This brings us to verse 24: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” Jesus said this to the Pharisees in this context because they were judging his actions according to sight, and not by God’s Law. In other words, they used human reasoning rather than God’s standard of righteousness, defined by His Law! Thus, they brought judgment upon themselves!
While Jesus was in the flesh, He too had to rely on God to judge righteously: “I can of My own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not My own will, but the will of the Father which has sent Me” (John 5:30). Since the Pharisees were not seeking the will of God and were not obeying His commandments, they could not judge correctly.
Finally, think about Christ’s statement in John 8: “You judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, My judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me” (vs. 15-16). These verses tell us that Jesus did not judge after the flesh or according to sight. BUT He judged righteously, because He relied on the Father, just as Christians are supposed to do. The Father did the judging through Jesus. But this occurred only because Jesus sought the Father’s will and obeyed Him, as Christians are supposed to do.
Like many of the Bible’s teachings, the subject of judging is misunderstood. This is because most people focus only on Matthew 7:1 and do not take into account the many other verses on the subject. Again, most Christians fail to put all of the pieces of the biblical puzzle together (Isa. 28:10).

Broad and Easy-or Narrow and Straight?

This world’s “Christianity” can only offer a broad, easy, and often “come as you are” way. The Bible describes that way as having a wide entrance leading to destruction. The true way is straight and narrow and only a few are finding it (Matt. 7:13-14).

There are thousands of supposed “Christian” churches. There is a flavor of “Christianity” for all the tastes people might have. Millions feel they have heard about and know the true Jesus Christ. By just “believing in” and “professing” Christ, all of them consider themselves Christian.
But in real Christianity, being a true Christian goes far beyond simple belief. It is way more than just knowing about Jesus, or believing that He existed. It is not just believing in a set of doctrines. It is actually living the Bible’s Truth daily. It is a way of life founded on the Ten Commandments and all the laws of God.

Most of the world looks at God’s Law as bondage. However, the love that God has for us is shown in His Commandments, and we receive blessings for obeying them (I John 5:3). God’s Law is a Law of liberty; when we keep it, it frees us from the bondage of the hurtful and destructive ways of this world (Jms. 2:8, 12).

A person who is really living the Christian way of life shows their love for God by obeying and keeping His laws—all of them (John 14:15).
When people live this way of life, they stand out as being different. God does not want His people to be conformed to the ways of this world (Rom. 12:2) but wants them to be transformed by the renewing of their minds by His Word. With His Spirit in them, it is possible for them to change.
Still, true Christians are not perfect, but are striving to be. Perfect people are not the criteria for identifying the true Church. Its teachings are.

Immeasurable Love

"Prayers and tears could not suffice to pardon my sins, nor anything less than atoning blood, but my believing is my receiving, for a thankful acceptance is no paying of the debt. What didst thou see in me? that I a poor, diseased, despised sinner should be clothed in thy bright glory? that a creeping worm should be advanced to this high state? ... Who can fathom immeasurable love?"

The Valley of Vision

Gracious Promise

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32)

Gracious promise! It is a great joy to me to confess my Lord. Whatever my faults may be, I am not ashamed of Jesus, nor do I fear to declare the doctrines of His cross. O Lord, I have not hid Thy righteousness within my heart.

Charles Spurgeon

If and a Triple Promise

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Called by the name of the Lord, we are nevertheless erring men and women. What a mercy it is that our God is ready to forgive! Whenever we sin let us hasten to the mercy seat of our God, seeking pardon.

We are to humble ourselves. Should we not be humbled by the fact that after receiving so much love we yet transgress? O Lord, we bow before Thee in the dust and own our grievous ingratitude. Oh, the infamy of sin! Oh, the sevenfold infamy of it in persons so favored as we have been!

Next, we are to pray for mercy, for cleansing, for deliverance from the power of sin. O Lord, hear us even now, and shut not out our cry.

In this prayer we are to seek the Lord's face. He has left us because of our faults, and we must entreat Him to return. O Lord, look on us in Thy Son Jesus, and smile upon Thy servants.
With this must go our own turning from evil; God cannot turn to us unless we turn from sin.
Then comes the triple promise of hearing, pardon, and healing. Our Father, grant us these at once, for our Lord Jesus Christ's sake.

Charles Spurgeon