I wrote a devotion about the harm of pornography and a woman wrote and told me, "Judge not." She said I shouldn't judge people's choices in reading materials because that was God's job.
Her misunderstanding is common. Many people think that the Bible prohibits us from judging anything beyond our own sins.
But the "Judge not" passage (Matthew 7:1-5), when read in context, actually teaches us these points:
- Don’t judge others with a different standard than you judge yourself.
- Judge your own sins first, because unrepentant sin alters your "vision" (perspective).
- If you appropriately deal with your sins, you’ll be able to appropriately judge others effectively.
So why have we so easily accepted this "judge not" error?
Because Satan has been twisting Scripture from the beginning of time to confuse us and make us soft on sin.
But we can refuse Satan's counsel by checking everything, even out-of-context Scripture passages, against the full truth of God's Word.
If you have any doubts about this truth, please read How, Who, and What to Judge According to Scripture.
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Bible Love Notes
Gail, spot-on. Great and gracious answer to the misunderstanding of the "judge not" issue. And you said so much, actually very weighty of an issue, put into perspective with just a few words. How DO you do that! ha, great, love it.
ReplyDeleteAnna
Great series you started on Scripture myths! This first one is a great start!
ReplyDeleteWe live in a crazy mixed up world.. Keep taking the stand of Truth according to the Word of God....all I can say is... I agree with you and your Bible notes in this post.. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteYep, recognize that reaction... great post on it too, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gail, for your love and knowledge of God's Word, and for skillfully sharing it with us, your readers. Looking forward to tomorrow's post.
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying these posts this week. How easy to pass off the correction the Lord sends us through others by using the excuse that we are being judged. I read those verses this morning. Thank you for putting them before us with such clarity, Gail.
ReplyDeleteAhhh yes...I call that the amateur reaction--people who don't know the Bible very well and are convicted about something always immediately jump to the "don't judge" defense. I'm saving your post to refer to the next time I get that response!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Jessica
Great topic "Scripture myths" and well written post on judging not. I love your short devotions.
ReplyDeleteWell said!
ReplyDeleteTrue words, but I would add the caveat that we are to approach judgement of non-Christians in a different manner than fellow believers.
ReplyDelete1 Corinthians 5:12-13
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."
In Christ,
Melissa
Yes, Melissa, that verse does draw a distinction. We shouldn't expect unbelievers to understand Biblical principles when they don't have the Holy Spirit to give them discernment. Good point.
DeleteMuch truth here, and you're right that many, many people don't understand this biblical concept. I would also add that we should limit our judgment to sins clearly delineated in Scripture. We mustn't judge others based on our own convictions and opinions that fall outside the realm of what God has clearly said in His Word. Thank you for your ministry!
ReplyDeleteWonderfully said. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I found this post! I have a question, is it considered judging if you find it sad that out of the seven people you know that are pregnant, only two of them are married?
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a sad that people are no longer ashamed to live together and have children without being married. And that's not our opinion--that's God's opinion, clearly presented in His Word.
There was a time in our church history when an unmarried pregnant woman might have been treated harshly, without grace or forgiveness.
Today our problem is the opposite--Many people are unashamed of violating God's loving commands and others are afraid to say anything for fear of being called judgmental.
I am an unmarried mother of two who still lives with her partner of almost 18 years. I came to Christ about 6 years ago. My partner is an atheist and will not marry me. I love him and we have a good relationship. How am I to be judged?
ReplyDeleteHi Me,
DeleteIt is against God's law to live with someone to whom you are not married. You must choose between your partner and your Lord.