Matt 7:1 - 7:6; Judging vs Using/Having Judgement

[Dan Henderson]

7:1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.1 7:2 For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive.2 7:3 Why3 do you see the speck4 in your brother’s eye, but fail to see5 the beam of wood6 in your own? 7:4 Or how can you say7 to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while there is a beam in your own? 7:5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 7:6 Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces.8 (NET)

Below is some explaination of the premise of my question: (1) When we consider the above passage, do we confuse judging with having/using judgement? (2) What does it mean to judge?

This is the scripture that comes to mind when I am told not to judge. The theologians here can tell me what this means and I would like to hear because there is a second phrase which I think does not belong in the context of this passage, that is having or using judgement.

What I think I see in this Scripture is that I should not condemn. I should not put myself in the context of being your judge. It is not my place to determine your status with God or the condition of your eternal soul. Its not my place to damn anyone.

What I think I do not see in the Scripture is any admonishment of having or using judgement to make decisions. In the context of the or Church structure, I do not see this applying to how we make decisions on our Church leaders.

In a micro example, if for example a church were to have a convicted pedophile attending, we would love them, accept them, nurture them in their Christian faith (we would not judge them), however, we would not install them as our 3d grade SS teacher, nor put them in our workforce ministering to minors (we would use judgement). In a macro example, if we have a Nazarene elder who clearly does not agree with our articles of faith, we do not remove them based on their relationship with Jesus Chirst (we do not judge them), rather we remove them based on their failure to uphold their word on ordination as a Nazarene Elder (we use judgement).

[Todd Erickson]

The word you're looking for is discernment.

Where judgement has to do with putting things to write, or re-achieving wholeness (at least, within the context of God), discernment has to do with seeing things as they truly are.

It would not be loving to put a pedophile, or an alcoholic, etc. in a situation where they could fall again. We discern this, and act accordingly. It just not judgement to see what is truly there...but we know that only God can restore wholeness, which is why judgement belongs to him.

[Jim Chabot]

Way, way back, I used to participate on a sign makers forum, which for some strange reason was populated in large part by Christian sign makers. During that time I read a post that I thought to be profound and it has shaped my view on this since then.

To judge is to lack faith in God's ability to transform. If I were to say that a person has a problem with liquor and express hope that he would find God and lean upon Him for help, I am practicing discernment. However if I were to call that man a drunk, I have judged him, I no longer allow for change, I lack faith in God's ability to change him.

By no means was this fellow a theologian, but I've never heard a better explanation.

[Dan Henderson]

The word you're looking for is discernment.

I did not use this word on purpose because it is not a commonly used term. I can't recall ever hearing it outside of the church. I hear phrases like: uses good judgement or is a good judge of character.

I also hear phrases such as: he's being judgemental and I don't like being judged.

[Todd Erickson]

I did not use this word on purpose because it is not a commonly used term. I can't recall ever hearing it outside of the church. I hear phrases like: uses good judgement or is a good judge of character.

I also hear phrases such as: he's being judgemental and I don't like being judged.

We must just travel in different circles. I almost never heard discernment used in the church, but I see it constantly on television and in books.

[Dan Henderson]

We must just travel in different circles. I almost never heard discernment used in the church, but I see it constantly on television and in books.

My circle is primarily military and medical. Having and using judgement is a core competency (and a prerequisite for employment) among both groups while to be a judge is a specific job assigned to certain officers. I have been assigned to conduct investigations more times than I care to count. I have also been called on for the military version of jury duty. A key requirement for both is to use your best judgement to make a recommedation. In these cases, I have made recommendations using my best judgement while someone else (a commander or a judge) passes judgement.

[Wilson Deaton]

7:1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged...

2 Timothy 4:1-2

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

I find this passage instructive on this issue. Paul declares in the first verse that Christ is the judge. Even though Christ is the judge, Timothy is charged with correcting and rebuking. This implies to me that "judging" is not the same thing as whatever it is we are doing when we correct and rebuke.

The sad irony, of course, is that the last time I corrected/rebuked someone, they simply responded by telling me that I shouldn't be judging them...

I see a very important difference between saying, "You're disgusting or bad or evil or inferior to me or unworthy or of no value or deserve a certain consequence," compared to saying, "you shouldn't do that." One is about evaluating a person (judging), the other is about evaluating behavior (correcting/rebuking).

Wilson

[Dale Cozby]

I think back to a FB post i saw that said something like, "Everything happens for a reason.....sometimes that reason is because your ignorant or hardheaded and made a bad decision."

Is that judgment or observation?

[Dan Henderson]

I think back to a FB post i saw that said something like, "Everything happens for a reason.....sometimes that reason is because your ignorant or hardheaded and made a bad decision."

Is that judgment or observation?

From despair.com... Mistakes: It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others.

http://www.despair.com/mis24x30prin.html

[Benjamin Burch]

I think back to a FB post i saw that said something like, "Everything happens for a reason.....sometimes that reason is because your ignorant or hardheaded and made a bad decision."

Is that judgment or observation?

I do believe that was my FB status. I remember you "liked" it.

[Jim Chabot]

From despair.com... Mistakes: It could be that the purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others.

http://www.despair.com/mis24x30prin.html

My personal favorite!



No guarantees in life, nor any promise of fairness, and I've found that acceptance of this makes me a happier person. Why should I feel discouraged, why do the shadows come. Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home?