The words ‘judge’ and ‘judgment’ appear in our Bible many times. To judge is the process of discerning error or finding fault. A judgment is the sentence given to the guilty. This world’s process of judging tends to be punished by creating jails for offenders. This type of judgment focuses on imprisonment as the remedy for error. We even hope it acts as a deterrent to others.
Bibles indicate that God judges us in the ways of this world and leaves us with the impression that we are justified in our condemnation of ill actors. Our big question is – should we judge one another?
The Concept of Judging
The Scriptures are given to help us understand what life in this world is all about, so we can improve the quality of our existence. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” (a) [See endnotes for NASB Scriptures]
In the beginning of Israel’s experience as a nation and for many generations, they lived as free people, governed by God and elected 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 judgment by saying: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (d)
The concept of judging that God gave was a bit different than our methods today. Local elders, who lived among the people, were elected to serve as judges. They were to consider mitigating circumstances, seek righteous solutions, and be a corrective influence.
Righteous judgment required those examining the error to look beyond the deed and consider the cause. While the Law provided guidelines, judges were to consider explanatory conditions, settle arguments, recover losses, and seek to restore bad thinking and action to right behavior.
If one was caught stealing because his family was living without food, a righteous judgment would not imprison the thief, but would seek a reconciling solution. The thief might have to work for the offended to repay the damage, which could even lead to a paying job and provisions for his family.
When a senseless murder occurred, since life could not be restored, the corrective action was death. This was a real deterrent. It is important to recognize errors, so we do not follow suit.
After 400 years, the people of Israel asked for a King, so they could be like other nations. God warned this was a rejection of Him, His judicial system, and His freeing way of life. (e) The system of judgment God gave was not designed to condemn and punish, but to facilitate justice by seeking to restore what was harmed and correcting bad behavior.
The Scriptures are given to help us understand what life in this world is all about, so we can improve the quality of our existence.
Understanding Revenge And Judgment
God eventually declared to the deteriorating 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.” (f) Thank goodness! God’s ways are better than the ways of this world.
Jesus takes the issue a step further: “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.” (g) In this life, we are to bless one another rather than judging or condemning.
We are also encouraged to “Never take your own revenge…leave room for the wrath (corrective action) of God…Vengeance (punishment) is Mine…says the Lord…Do not be overcome by evil (by responding in kind), but overcome evil with good.” (h) Revenge is not for us to take. Our personal reaction to error is to overcome the bad behavior with good thoughts, attitudes, and constructive behavior while we trust the corrective ways of God. Shining light tends to overcome darkness.
Consider “Not even the Father judges anyone, 
but He has given all judgment to the Son.” (i) The Eternal One does not judgingly condemn anyone! Any activity of judging is by the son, as in the earthly realm, not in eternity. And “God did not send the Son into the world to judge (condemn) …but that the world should be saved through him.” (j) Jesus even restated it: “I did not come to judge the world, but to save (rescue, restore) it.” (k) Judgment in the earth is meant to restore!
Jesus clarified God’s desire about judging as a personal code of conduct; “Do not judge lest you be judged,” (l) because in the earth we tend to “reap what we sow.” (m) “If we judge ourselves rightly, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined (corrected) by the Lord.” (n)
Any discerning judging that we do should be toward ourselves. This leads us to repent and adjust rather than come under the corrective processes of this life. God wants our character, attitude, and personality (CAP) to improve and mature so we are better images and likeness of His heart.
In this life, we are to bless one another rather than judging or condemning.
Repentance and Forgiveness
It was a lack of repentance that caused Adam and Eve to lose their Garden-like awareness and intimate interaction with God’s presence. God let them have what they chose. (o)
We want to realize Calvary’s sacrifice was not to satisfy any desire in God for justice. Calvary was to illustrate that sacrifices for forgiveness are unnecessary. God has in essence said, “I am sick of your annual sacrifice and offerings.” (p)
Our heavenly Father readily forgives. (q) God just wants us to repent and change our attitude and behavior. (r) Our desire to change is what releases us from our deathly ways and restores us into the fellowship of God’s presence. This allows us to live in and enjoy the freeing benefits of forgiveness.
Scripture declares: “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial (testing); for…he will receive the crown of life.” (s) The promise is repeated with the definition: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life…He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.” (t)
So, 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.” Repentant people arise from their deathly inactivity and are crowned with an elevated quality of spiritual life. As we arise from our first death (to God’s fellowship) and partake of His abiding presence, we are not hurt by any fear of physical death.
When we judgingly condemn someone, in our mind we lock them in error and conclude this is who they are. It can even complicate their repentant efforts to change. Our attitude and condemning posture toward those we are judging keeps us from offering forgiving mercy and a helping hand.
If the Father and Son do not condemningly judge, why should we judge one another? Remember, God does not hate the sinner; He just disapproves of our erroneous ways. Rather than judging and condemning one another, we want to forgive as we are forgiven and seek to restore the offender.
Maturing children can more effectively discern what is productive (good) and destructive (evil). (u) Let us be discerning in areas of spiritual life, as people who are led by the Spirit of God. (v)
Rather than judging and condemning one another, we want to forgive as we are forgiven and seek to restore the offender.
a) 2 Timothy 3:16; b) Judges 2:16, 18; c) Deuteronomy 1:16; d) John 7:24; e) 1 Samuel 8:4-8, 19-20; f) Isaiah 55:8-9; g) Luke 6:36-38; h) Romans 12:19, 21; i) John 5:22-23; j) John 3:17; k) John 12:47; l) Matthew 7:1; m) Galatians 6:7-9; n) 1 Corinthians 11:31-32; o) Genesis 2:12-13; p) Isaiah 1:11-15; Proverbs 8:32; q) 1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20; r) Acts 17:30; 26:20; Isaiah 1:16-17; s) James 1:12; t) Revelations 2:10-11; u) Hebrews 5:14; v) 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