READ THE WHOLE CHAPTER AND THEN YOU CAN SEE THE TRUTH ABOUT JUDGING ~ One of the most misused verses in the Bible is, Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matt. 7: 1). Every Scripture verse should be read in its context, if we are to properly understand the true meaning. In vs. 2-5 of this same chapter it is evident that v. 1 is referring to hypocritical judgment. A brother who has a beam in his own eye should not be judging the brother who may have a mote in his eye. The lesson is plain, you cannot judge another for his sin if you are guilty of the same sin. Those who cling to Judge not, that ye be not judged, to condemn those who expose error should read the entire chapter. Jesus said, Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheeps clothing... (v. 15). How can we know false prophets unless we judge them by the Word of God? If we know the false prophets, how can we fail to exam the sheep of these ravening wolves? All through the Bible we find proof that they should be identified and exposed. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit (vs. 16,17). Did the Lord mean that we could not judge the tree (person), by the fruit of their life and doctrine? Certainly not, for you cannot know without judging. All judgment should be on the basis of Bible teaching ONLY, not according to whims. personal convictions, or prejudices. Only by the righteous word of God. Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment (John 7:24). Here our Lord commands that we are to judge righteous judgment, which is judgment based upon the Word of God. If judgment is made upon any other basis, other than the Word of God, it is a violation of Matt. 7: 1. The faithful Christian must discern or judge on the basis of Gods inspired law, the Bible. A fornicator is described in I Cor. 5:1-13. Paul judged (v.3) the man even though he was absent, and he told the Church at Corinth that they were to judge (v. 12) those that were within. The Greek word for judge is the same here as in Matt. 7: 1. Paul did not violate judge not, that ye be not judged, in judging the man, nor in instructing the Church to judge also. All of this judgment was according to the Word of God. A person who is able to discern between good and evil, has at least one of the major marks of spiritual maturity. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb. 5:14). We find this type discernment directed I Cor. 12: 10 of discerning spirits, judging by evidence whether they are evil or of God.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:37:23 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015