Should we judge others?

Oct

14

2015

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Oct

14

2015

Yesterday I wrote about the Pharisees bringing the adulteress to Jesus. A couple of folks wrote and stated that I had interpreted this passage wrong. They went on to lengthy defenses of their having the responsibility to judge someone who was obviously caught red-handed engaging in sin.

Hmmm . . . If this is the case then why did Jesus include this passage in the Bible? Whatever Jesus wrote in the dirt obviously had an impact on those judges and interpreters of God’s laws, because all of her accusers left without throwing the first stone.

One person wrote and offered the following: “What Jesus wrote in the sand has been the focus of much discussion. But I believe the significance is not what He wrote but where He was pointing his finger. Everyone else was pointing an accusing finger at the woman. But, the only righteous One there was not pointing at her at all. Just a thought.

A Reader in middle Georgia

In Matthew 7:5 Jesus used the metaphor: “Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” In other words those who dare to judge should deal with their own sin before they set themselves up as reprovers of the populace at large.

Matthew 23 makes it clear that though these the most religious people of the day appeared to be pious, they were just as filled with sin as the people that they put their “impossible demands” upon. – “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy – full of greed and self-indulgence!”

So should we never say anything against sin? Certainly not. The Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean we cannot show discernment. The judges of the Bible were setup by God. And we should note that immediately after Jesus says, “Do not judge,” He says, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs”. A little later in the same sermon, He says, “Watch out for false prophets . . . By their fruit you will recognize them”. How are we to discern who are the “dogs” and “pigs” and “false prophets” unless we have the ability to make a judgment call on doctrines and deeds? Jesus is giving us permission to tell right from wrong.

The problem that I see with so many religious types is that they do not understand the concept of grace. They want to stone to death those who commit sins while ignoring the fact that everyone sins. If anyone could live a perfect life, then Jesus would not have had to die on a cross as a Holy sacrifice for our sins. We could just be good enough to go to heaven and be reconciled to a holy God.

Yes my friends we are to preach the whole counsel of God, including every jot and tittle of the Bible’s teaching. However sin should be dealt with gently and with mercy, and compassion. We are to speak the truth but do so in love, Ephesians 4:15 – Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

My pay grade is way too far below the One who will judge all of humanity. I have enough to do without singling out those who sin and when I try to look at myself through the eyes of how God must seem me I cringe and want to avoid His Holy gaze. Praise God for grace.

Galatians 6:1

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

October 14, 2015 – Click here to listen

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