Important Notice:
Always check out what you read and hear for yourself, using the Bible, asking our HEAVENLY FATHER for wisdom, guidance, and understanding. Never take anyone's word alone, including this website, without first doing your own homework. As Christians, we should be listening to GOD's WORD, not what someone else has to say if it can't be documented. As it's written in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Please note, the yellow text within our studies is Scripture, whereas the white text is our commentary.
Should Christians Judge?
One of the most mis-quoted and mis-understood verses in the entire Bible, is Matthew 7:1, where JESUS says, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." It seems this is heathens and non-Christians favorite verse because so often they will use it, though they don't even know where it's at, to try and silence Christians from calling out their sin. Even worse, many "Christians" will even use this verse in attempt to stop other Christians from calling out the wickedness of others, and as a result, it condones the actions of the wicked. Now if we were to continue reading Matthew 7, which we'll get to below, we'll see that JESUS tells us in verse twenty, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.", along in John 7:24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." So as we can clearly see, JESUS tells us that we are to judge, but that it is supposed to be "righteous judgment", which we'll see further as to what that consists of below. So it's important to pay attention and understand the context of HIS statement in verse 1 of that seventh chapter of Matthew. So to those who like to play that game of "don't judge me", they themselves are passing judgment unto others by making that statement.
Matthew 7
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Well there we have it, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." First of all, we know JESUS never contradicted HIMself, and neither does the BIBLE contradict itself either, so whenever you're reading and something appears that way, it's important to understand the context of the chapter, and to check it out for yourself in the language it was translated from (Hebrew & Chaldee [Old Testament], Greek [New Testament]), which is why a Strong's Concordance is good to use. As you will come to see, this word "judge" is krínō in the Greek, and in some cases it can simply refer to forming a conclusion of a specific matter, which in other words means to distinguish, decide (mentally or judicially), conclude, or call in question, which is nothing wrong with that, but it can also refer to condemning someone's soul to hell (i.e. damning them), which is never alright to do, as we all are imperfect people who have fallen short at some point, and only GOD holds that position. Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" So continuing with the next verse, we'll see why JESUS made this statement.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote (i.e. twig) that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote (i.e. twig) out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
So now we see the context as to what CHRIST is talking about, which has to do with judging in hypocrisy. Clearly as it is written, CHRIST gives us permission to call out others sins (i.e. to judge), but first we must put away those sins from ourself before doing so, along with any other sins.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
This relates to what is written in Proverbs 9:7-11 which says, "7 He that reproveth (i.e. corrects/chastens) a scorner (= a mocker) getteth to himself shame (= dishonor/ignominy): and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot (i.e. blemish/injury). 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased." In other words, don't waste time preaching, correcting, and trying to relate to those on a spiritual level, who you know absolutely don't care about GOD and the Bible, if so, you can expect to receive insults, hate, and possible injury, as they have already rejected the truth and the light, for their dark lifestyles. Instead spend your time wisely and preach unto the wise, who you know will likely receive correction.
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Wisdom and spiritual discernment is what is referred to.
8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Again, we see CHRIST is addressing evil people, who live in sin. Obviously, they have no right to judge, as HE addressed above.
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
In other words, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is what some refer to as the golden rule.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Now how exactly can you know someone by their fruits, and know whether they are a false teacher, unless you judge? That's just it, you won't be able to. This is what is referred to as spiritual discernment which is considered righteous judgment.
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Why? Because a good tree is deeply planted and rooted in CHRIST, whereas a corrupt tree isn't. A true Christian isn't deliberately going to go out and sin, whereas a non-Christian will. Ever notice when you're in a situation that angers you and the moment you so badly want to say something or do something, you have that inner voice and guidance from the HOLY SPIRIT that warns you not to? Well, that's because you abide in CHRIST and HE abides in you, and objective morality is what we have. This is why JESUS said in John 15:1-6 "1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Simply believing in the existence of GOD/CHRIST isn't enough to go to Heaven. If so, even satan and demons would have the opportunity of Salvation. Many people believe in GOD, but many will not be going to Heaven, as documented in the next verse. See also: John 3:36, James 2:19.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
This word "iniquity" is "anomía" in the Greek, and it means "violation or transgression of the law"; i.e. transgression of GOD's law.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
And so it is. In JESUS (YEHOSHUA's) name, we have power and authority over all evil spirits. Below, we'll see some more examples of where GOD instructs us to judge.
Well there we have it, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." First of all, we know JESUS never contradicted HIMself, and neither does the BIBLE contradict itself either, so whenever you're reading and something appears that way, it's important to understand the context of the chapter, and to check it out for yourself in the language it was translated from (Hebrew & Chaldee [Old Testament], Greek [New Testament]), which is why a Strong's Concordance is good to use. As you will come to see, this word "judge" is krínō in the Greek, and in some cases it can simply refer to forming a conclusion of a specific matter, which in other words means to distinguish, decide (mentally or judicially), conclude, or call in question, which is nothing wrong with that, but it can also refer to condemning someone's soul to hell (i.e. damning them), which is never alright to do, as we all are imperfect people who have fallen short at some point, and only GOD holds that position. Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" So continuing with the next verse, we'll see why JESUS made this statement.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote (i.e. twig) that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote (i.e. twig) out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
So now we see the context as to what CHRIST is talking about, which has to do with judging in hypocrisy. Clearly as it is written, CHRIST gives us permission to call out others sins (i.e. to judge), but first we must put away those sins from ourself before doing so, along with any other sins.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
This relates to what is written in Proverbs 9:7-11 which says, "7 He that reproveth (i.e. corrects/chastens) a scorner (= a mocker) getteth to himself shame (= dishonor/ignominy): and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot (i.e. blemish/injury). 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased." In other words, don't waste time preaching, correcting, and trying to relate to those on a spiritual level, who you know absolutely don't care about GOD and the Bible, if so, you can expect to receive insults, hate, and possible injury, as they have already rejected the truth and the light, for their dark lifestyles. Instead spend your time wisely and preach unto the wise, who you know will likely receive correction.
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Wisdom and spiritual discernment is what is referred to.
8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Again, we see CHRIST is addressing evil people, who live in sin. Obviously, they have no right to judge, as HE addressed above.
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
In other words, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is what some refer to as the golden rule.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Now how exactly can you know someone by their fruits, and know whether they are a false teacher, unless you judge? That's just it, you won't be able to. This is what is referred to as spiritual discernment which is considered righteous judgment.
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Why? Because a good tree is deeply planted and rooted in CHRIST, whereas a corrupt tree isn't. A true Christian isn't deliberately going to go out and sin, whereas a non-Christian will. Ever notice when you're in a situation that angers you and the moment you so badly want to say something or do something, you have that inner voice and guidance from the HOLY SPIRIT that warns you not to? Well, that's because you abide in CHRIST and HE abides in you, and objective morality is what we have. This is why JESUS said in John 15:1-6 "1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned."
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Simply believing in the existence of GOD/CHRIST isn't enough to go to Heaven. If so, even satan and demons would have the opportunity of Salvation. Many people believe in GOD, but many will not be going to Heaven, as documented in the next verse. See also: John 3:36, James 2:19.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
This word "iniquity" is "anomía" in the Greek, and it means "violation or transgression of the law"; i.e. transgression of GOD's law.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
And so it is. In JESUS (YEHOSHUA's) name, we have power and authority over all evil spirits. Below, we'll see some more examples of where GOD instructs us to judge.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20
18 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
Here GOD instructed Moses to set up judges and officers who would judge the people accordingly to GOD's law. After all, there's even a whole book in the Bible called "Judges". So once again, it's obvious that we are to judge. The next verse shows us if we're a judge, such as in court, how to do it rightly.
19 Thou shalt not wrest (= pervert, nâṭâh in Hebrew) judgment; thou shalt not respect persons (i.e. in reference to their social status), neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
In other words, if someone is guilty of a crime, regardless of how much they try to cover their actions, whether it be using they're social status, or by bringing a gift to the judges, the judge isn't supposed to pervert and change his or hers judgment, but is to sentence someone according to whatever punishment fits the crime that they have committed.
20 That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Ultimately today, our promised land to inherit is Heaven, and it awaits to those who abide in CHRIST, and aside from court issues, it should be our duty to correct and edify one another as believers whereby we can live Holy and pleasing to GOD, as sin is what separates us from HIM, but again there's righteous judgment and there's unrighteous judgment, and righteous judgment is what we're called to carry out, as CHRIST showed us above in Matthew 7, on how to do. Below, we'll see some more examples on judging.
Here GOD instructed Moses to set up judges and officers who would judge the people accordingly to GOD's law. After all, there's even a whole book in the Bible called "Judges". So once again, it's obvious that we are to judge. The next verse shows us if we're a judge, such as in court, how to do it rightly.
19 Thou shalt not wrest (= pervert, nâṭâh in Hebrew) judgment; thou shalt not respect persons (i.e. in reference to their social status), neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
In other words, if someone is guilty of a crime, regardless of how much they try to cover their actions, whether it be using they're social status, or by bringing a gift to the judges, the judge isn't supposed to pervert and change his or hers judgment, but is to sentence someone according to whatever punishment fits the crime that they have committed.
20 That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Ultimately today, our promised land to inherit is Heaven, and it awaits to those who abide in CHRIST, and aside from court issues, it should be our duty to correct and edify one another as believers whereby we can live Holy and pleasing to GOD, as sin is what separates us from HIM, but again there's righteous judgment and there's unrighteous judgment, and righteous judgment is what we're called to carry out, as CHRIST showed us above in Matthew 7, on how to do. Below, we'll see some more examples on judging.
Ezekiel 3:18-21
"17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul."
Not only is this an example of judging, but it's GOD's direct instruction to Ezekiel, which applies to us too today, that it is our job to warn the wicked. Well in order to warn the wicked and those who live in sin, you must be able to distinguish who's living in sin and who's not, which requires us to judge/discern the actions or fruits of others.
Not only is this an example of judging, but it's GOD's direct instruction to Ezekiel, which applies to us too today, that it is our job to warn the wicked. Well in order to warn the wicked and those who live in sin, you must be able to distinguish who's living in sin and who's not, which requires us to judge/discern the actions or fruits of others.
JESUS Judged:
JESUS said in John 7:19, "Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?" And so it is, many of these people today who like to yell out "don't judge me", would be the very one's who would have told JESUS the same thing. "How dare HE accuse me of not keeping the law?"
John the Baptist Judged:
Matthew 14:3-4 says, "3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her." Clearly John was calling out the sin of Herod which is to pass judgment.
Paul Judged:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says "9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (= catamites), nor abusers of themselves with mankind (= sodomites), 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Paul addresses that some of the ones he was talking to were at one point fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, catamites, homosexuals, thieves, coveters, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners, until they came to repentance.
Paul addresses that some of the ones he was talking to were at one point fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, catamites, homosexuals, thieves, coveters, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners, until they came to repentance.
Moses Judged:
It is written in Exodus 18:13-26 "13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. 14 And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? 15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God: 16 when they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. 17 And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. 18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. 19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: 20 and thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 22 and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. 23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. 24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves."
So as we have seen, we are supposed to judge, in the sense of correcting someone as long as we are not doing it in hypocrisy or living in sin ourselves, which is righteous judgment, along with discerning a certain situation. Wrong or unrighteous types of Judgement would be:
- Judging by appearance (superficial judgment): An example of this would be seeing someone with tattoos walk down the street and claiming that person isn't Saved because they have a tattoo, or accusing a homeless person of being lazy or of reckless living. Again, JESUS said in John 7:24 "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
- Judging in hypocrisy, as JESUS addressed above in Matthew 7. Also addressed in Romans 2:1.
- Judging in the sense of condemning someone to hell, or by saying a person has no chance of Salvation. See Luke 6:37, Matthew 5:22 (in-depth), James 4:12.
- Judging in Self-righteousness. James 4:6 says, "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." See also: Luke 18:9-14.
- False/Un-true judgment. Proverbs 19:5 says, "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape."
- Unforgiving Judgment. JESUS said in Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." and Matthew 6:14-15 "14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
In conclusion:
1. Telling a person not to judge is not only unbiblical but it's also self-defeating since you're making a judgment about someone judging others.
2. The Bible tells us to make righteous judgements (John 7:24).
3. The Bible tells us to reprove, rebuke & exhort (2 Timothy 4:2).
4. The Bible tells us to exhort and rebuke with all authority (Titus 2:15).
5. The Bible says the spiritual person judges all things (1 Corinthians 2:15).
6. The Bible tells us to reprove evil people (Ephesians 5:11).
7. There's a whole book in the Bible called "Judges".
So yes, we as Christians are supposed to judge in the sense of edifying and correcting one another, and when doing so, we should always remain humble. It's also how we keep the body of believers (i.e. the church) in-line when someone steps out of line because if you allow sin to hang around in the church, it eventually will build and begin to corrupt the whole church. This is what CHRIST was addressing in Matthew 5:29-30 "29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
2. The Bible tells us to make righteous judgements (John 7:24).
3. The Bible tells us to reprove, rebuke & exhort (2 Timothy 4:2).
4. The Bible tells us to exhort and rebuke with all authority (Titus 2:15).
5. The Bible says the spiritual person judges all things (1 Corinthians 2:15).
6. The Bible tells us to reprove evil people (Ephesians 5:11).
7. There's a whole book in the Bible called "Judges".
So yes, we as Christians are supposed to judge in the sense of edifying and correcting one another, and when doing so, we should always remain humble. It's also how we keep the body of believers (i.e. the church) in-line when someone steps out of line because if you allow sin to hang around in the church, it eventually will build and begin to corrupt the whole church. This is what CHRIST was addressing in Matthew 5:29-30 "29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
And certainly, those of us who know we'll be judged by a Holy GOD should have no problem being judged by others.
Other verses to read:
Matthew 18:15-20, Titus 3:10, Titus 3:9-11, Galatians 6:1, 1 Corinthians 5:11, James 5:19-20, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, Romans 16:17-18, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15, 1 Corinthians 14:29, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 10:13-14, Mark 16:15, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, 1 Corinthians 2:15-16, 1 Corinthians 6:5, 2 Corinthians 11:1-4.
Matthew 18:15-20, Titus 3:10, Titus 3:9-11, Galatians 6:1, 1 Corinthians 5:11, James 5:19-20, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, Romans 16:17-18, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15, 1 Corinthians 14:29, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 10:13-14, Mark 16:15, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, 1 Corinthians 2:15-16, 1 Corinthians 6:5, 2 Corinthians 11:1-4.