"You've No Right to Judge Me!"
I remember making the comment -
something about "false religions."
I was totally unprepared for the
barrage of criticism: "That's an
arrogant statement, Dennis!" "What
right do you have to call anybody's
religion false?" "Who made you the
Judge?" "Your comment is the
epitome of intolerance!" I was in a
graduate class on a State University
campus surrounded by "free-thinkers." The reactions should not have surprised me; however, I assumed everybody had some notion of false religious practices. I was wrong. In that academic environment absolutes did not exist. Consequently, judgments could not be made.
Unfortunately, what was blatantly true on the University campus in the 1980s, is a growing problem in today's evangelical church. To be "judgmental" is bad; to be "tolerant" is good. That's not to say the evangelical church makes no judgments. Most take strong stands on abortion, immorality, marriage and the family, etc. But, the clear-cut lines of yesterday are being progressively blurred. For example, to state that praying to Mary (the mother of Jesus) is wrong would be viewed by many as intolerant. To suggest Christians should not be associated with crude language, immodest dress, alcoholic beverages or indecent cable programs is to invite a loud, "That's my private business. It's no business of yours!" To teach that regular church attendance is more important than youth sports or lakefront cottages raises the "old standby" reaction, "You have no right to judge me!" So, church teachers steer clear of the controversial and approach subjects such as "Coping with Depression", "How to Have a Happy Marriage", "The Christian and His/Her Finances", "Christian Parenthood", etc. While these subjects are important, they do not constitute the "whole counsel of God." This new attitude of "live and let live" threatens to neutralize the Church and poison its ministry of being "the salt of the earth."
Interpreting Matt. 7:1
Most Christians caught in this "new toleration" use our Lord's instruction in His Sermon on the Mount to justify their opinions: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." There it is - in black and white. Judging is prohibited, therefore, the obedient Christian will tread the high ground of personal liberty, carefully avoiding confrontations with fellow believers. Bible teachers should prepare their lessons to do the same.
Is that what the Lord meant? Did He give us a permanent injunction against judging? A quick look at the biblical context answers our questions. Jesus is not prohibiting judgment; rather, He is prohibiting false judgment. He is saying, "Don't judge as the Pharisees judge, who critically condemn others while being hypocrites themselves. You are to judge according to truth." How can we be sure this is the proper meaning? Simply, we have our Lord's succeeding statements: "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs"(vs.6); "Watch out for false prophets... By their fruit you will recognize them... thus, by their fruit you will recognize them"(vs.15-20). Each of these statements imply judgment or discernment. To brand someone as a "dog, pig, false prophet" demands a process of evaluation. It necessitates a look at behavior and drawing conclusions from that behavior. If the Lord is mandating "no judgment" in vs. 1, He is guilty of contradicting Himself in later verses. That can never be!
Further, the New Testament Apostles had much to say about the necessity of proper judgment, that is, judgment based upon the Word of God. For example, Paul instructed the Thessalonians, "If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed"(II Thess. 3:14). According to Paul the only way to maintain a spiritually healthy church is to exercise proper judgment. The lack of such judgment was the problem in the Church at Corinth (I Cor. 5). From Adam (Genesis) to the Apostle John (Revelation) the Bible advocates the process of judging based upon God's truth. A good illustration of this is found in Galatians 6:1. It reads, "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." This verse lists the basic elements of proper judgment. First, it is permissible for Christians to recognize and confront sins in other Christians. Second, spiritual pride is prohibited. All should be done in the spirit of gentleness realizing that every Christian is capable of the same sins. Third, to avoid this process is a violation of the law of Christ.
So What?
Understanding the biblical teaching demands rethinking the whole issue of "judging." Church leaders are not called to make us feel good; they're called to be faithful to God's Revelation. While some sermons will encourage and make us feel better, others will produce guilt. The Bible exposes our hearts. The writer of Hebrews said, " For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."(4:12) To have our hearts exposed is a painful process, but necessary for healing. Too many pastors try to skip the pain and go directly to the soothing balm. However, if we don't think we are hurt, we don't see the urgency of applying the medicine. If we never see our responsibility, and our guilt for ignoring our responsibility, we will view biblical teaching with mediocrity. Biblical teaching that cuts to our hearts is by nature judgmental.
Understanding this teaching produces a personal focus. I should expect Bible sermons and lessons to have a prophetic element. The message God gave Jeremiah (the Old Testament prophet) to proclaim to Judah had the divine intention to "root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant." (Jer.1:10) Clearly, Jeremiah's preaching contained both positives and negatives. Balanced biblical teaching will cause me to take a penetrating look at my sins and failures. It will also direct my gaze beyond those transgressions to my all sufficient Savior. If I never feel the discomfort of my guilt, I am being robbed of truth that produces holy living.
Ultimately, I should be thankful for Christian brothers and sisters who lovingly watch and pray for my spiritual development. A discerning rebuke or loving caution is a blessing indeed. It is both a responsibility and privilege to care for one another. That caring sometimes involves biblical judgment. How sinful it would be to stand idly by while a Christian brother or sister traverses a path displeasing to God. God's love mandates proper judgment.
