The words judge and judgement appear often in our Bible. In today’s world the process of judging is a matter of seeing error, assessing faults, and declaring a condemning sentence as judgement. This process tends to create jails for offenders in the hope that this becomes a deterrent to others.
Our Bible allows a hint that God judges us to punish us and leaves the impression that we are justified in our condemnation of ill actors. So we question, should we judge one another?
The Concept of Judging
Scriptures are given to help us understand what this life is all about and to encourage us to improve the quality of our life experience. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” (a) [See endnotes for NASB Scriptures]
The first national gathering of people of faith functioned for many generations as people that were governed by God and local judges. (b) God’s instruction for judging was, “I charged your judges… hear the cases…and judge righteously. (c) The New Testament repeats the call for righteous judging by stating “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (d)
The concept of judging that God gave Israel was quite different from our perceptions today. Local elders who lived among the people were elected to serve as judges. They served the community as a corrective influence, by considering mitigating circumstances and seeking righteous solutions.
Righteous judgement required those examining errors to look behind the deed and consider the cause. While the Law provided guidelines, (e) judges were to consider explanatory circumstances, settle arguments, recover losses, and seek to turn bad thinking and action toward right behavior.
If one was caught stealing because the family was living without adequate food, righteous judgement would not imprison the thief but would seek a reconciling solution. The thief might have to work for the offended to restore the loss, which could lead to a paying job and provisions for his family.
When a senseless murder occurred and life could not be restored, the corrective deterrent was death. Errors were to be recognized and rectified, so they were not repeated.
These people of faith eventually asked for a king, so they could be like other nations. God warned them that inviting the kingly two class system into His way of life was a rejection of Him, of the freedom to be productive, and of His judicial system. (f) God’s way of judgement was not to condemn and punish, but to seek to restore what was lost or harmed and to correct bad behavior.
The concept of judging that God gave Israel was quite different from our perceptions today.
To Bless or Condemn
God eventually declared to the failing nation: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways…as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (g) God’s thoughts and ways are much better than this world.
Jesus clarified the issue regarding judging: 
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful…do not judge…do not condemn…give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” (h) As difficult as it may feel sometimes, we are to bless and seek to improve one another, not judgingly condemn.
We are also encouraged to “Never take your own revenge (as to punish) …leave room for the wrath (displeasure) of God…Vengeance (judgement) is Mine…says the Lord…Do not be overcome by evil (by responding in kind) but overcome evil with good.” (i) Revenge is not a righteous response.
While we are to “Submit…to governors as sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers,” (j) our personal reaction to error is to overcome the bad behavior with good thoughts, positive attitudes, and helpful behavior. We can trust the ways of God, because light always overcomes darkness.
It is insightful to realize: “Not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son.” (k) God does not judge or condemn anyone! Instead, any judgement is experienced in the earth where Jesus reigns as Lord. This life is where all the cause-and-effect processes take place.
This is verified as “God did not send the Son into the world to judge…but that the world should be saved (reconciled) through him.” (l) Jesus even said, “I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.” (m) Judgement takes place on the earth and intends to rescue, save, and righteously restore us! (n)
Jesus reiterated God’s purpose and our reason for judging as a personal code of conduct; “Do not judge lest you be judged,” (o) because in this life we tend to “reap what we sow.” (p) “If we judge ourselves rightly, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined (corrected) by the Lord in order that we may not be condemned (Greek – judged) with the world.” (q)
As wandering offspring and disciplined children of God, we do not want to be condemning one another. Any discerning judgement should be toward ourselves. This encourages us to repentively adjust so we do not come under this world’s corrective processes.
We are to bless and seek to improve one another, not judgingly condemn.
Repent and Forgive
We want to understand Calvary’s sacrifice was not to satisfy any desire in God for justice. Calvary was to show us that sacrifices for forgiveness are not necessary. God even said “I am sick of your sacrifice and offerings” (r) because they just seem to give you permission to continue your error.
Our heavenly Father is not like us. He does not change. God has always been a forgiver. He wants us to repent and change our bad attitude and misbehavior. (s) It was a lack of repentance that caused Adam and Eve to lose their Garden-like awareness and intimate interaction with God’s presence.
They were sent from the Garden to experience what they chose. (t) A desire to change and improve is what releases us from our deathly ways and restores us into the fellowship of God’s presence. Our repentance enables us to enjoy the freeing benefits of forgiveness and a release from our errors.
Scripture declares: “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial (testing); for…he will receive the crown of life.” (u) This promise is repeated with further detail: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life…He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.” (v)
What is the crown of life and when do we receive it? The word “life” in this passage comes from the Greek zoe, which means “spirit life.” As we repent and adjust our erroneous ways, we receive an elevated quality of spiritual life, as a crown. We rise from our first deathly lack of communion with God, partake of His insightful presence, and do not fear or are hurt by the second death (physical).
Any time we judgingly condemn someone, in our mind we lock them in error and conclude this is who they are. Our treatment of them can complicate their repentant effort to change. Our attitude toward offenders also tends to keep us from offering forgiving mercy and a helping hand.
If the Father and Son do not condemningly judge, why should we? Remember, God does not hate the sinner; He just disapproves of their erroneous behavior. Rather than judging and condemning each other, we want to continue to forgive as we are forgiven (w) and seek to restore offenders.
God wants our character, attitude, and personality (CAP) to improve and mature so we are better images and likeness of His heart. Let’s become more spiritual people who are led by His Spirit. (x)
Rather than judging and condemning each other, we want to continue to forgive as we are forgiven.
a) 2 Timothy 3:16; b) Judges 2:16, 18; c) Deuteronomy 1:16; d) John 7:24; e) Galatians 3:23-25; f) 1 Samuel 8:4-8, 19-20; g) Isaiah 55:8-9; h) Luke 6:36-38; i) Romans 12:19, 21; j) 1 Peter 2:13-15; k) John 5:22-23; l) John 3:17; m) John 12:47; n) 2 Corinthians 5:19; o) Matthew 7:1; p) Galatians 6:7-9; q) 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; r) Isaiah 1:11-17; Proverbs 8:32-36; s) Acts 17:30; 26:20; Isaiah 1:16-17; t) Genesis 2:12-13; u) James 1:12; v) Revelations 2:10-11; w) Matthew 18:21-33; Colossians 3:13; x) 1 John 3:2; Colossians 3:8-10, 13; Ephesians 4:22-25, 32
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder
Created To Relate author