Judge NOT!!

Have you ever talked to someone about how what they are doing is wrong and they come back to you like a fiery old testament prophet proclaiming, "God says, 'Judge not, that ye be not judged.'"?

Whoa!  Look down on the ground and not into their eyes. Slowly back away and run before they go for your jugular.  What do you do?  They are quoting Matthew 7:1.  It does say not to judge, so what more can you do than to just quietly slip away, rebuked by scripture for what you were saying to them?

What you can do is stand up for what Matthew 7:1 is really saying.  This is not concerning telling someone that they are doing something against God.  We are to help others to recognize and repent from sin.  This verse is saying that we are all held to the same standard, so remove the sin in your life first before you point a finger at someone else.

When we do call someone out for a sin, we are never to judge (condemn) that person, for that is God's job, but we are called upon to inspect the fruit of others.  Matthew 7:16a "You shall know them by their fruits...."  If the fruit is bad we should reach out in love to help them to turn from their wicked ways.

To condense this down, we are to inspect the fruit of everyone, (especially ourselves) and help when someone is going against God.  That means speaking up and showing them what GOD says.  You do not judge them, the sinner, for that is God's job.  You do not point a finger at someone's sin when you yourself are in that same sin.  That is the pot calling the kettle black and it just will not work.  You are to point out what God says about their sin and not what you, the church, the government or what anyone else says.  God's word is the only standard we are to measure our actions by. 

"Joe, I have noticed that you keep doing A.  God says in the Bible that doing A is a sin.  If I can help you to stop doing A, I would be happy to help."

"JUDGE NOT THAT YE BE NOT JUDGED!"

"Joe, I didn't say it, God said it. I am only pointing out to you what God is saying about your actions."

"You have done A also."

"Yes, I did in the past but God showed me I was wrong to do that.  I no longer do A.  I can help you to stop as well."

Remember scripture is your standard and God is the judge as to what is right and what is wrong.  You are God's agent to love the person enough to tell them what God says about their sin.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."  2 Timothy 3:16

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