| ( B ) JUDGE NOT ----------------------------------------------------------------- Regarding Gods’ command not to judge, the scriptures say these words; 1. Judge not, that ye be not judged. 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 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 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. - Matt. 7:1-5 36. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. - Luke 6:36-37 Often a Christian will use the “ Judge not, lest ye be judged “ statement whenever another Christian makes a judgement based on discernment, whether it be a discerning judgement of another person, or a false doctrine and false spiritual teaching, or a so called “ Christian “ organization which in reality does not believe or conduct itself in a truly Christian manner. Jesus’ command in the gospels to not make judgement is a command which specifically prohibits a kind of judgement that is hypocritical, unforgiving or condemnatory of people. Jesus is not preaching against all kinds of judgement otherwise that kind of teaching would automatically nullify and make void all of the scriptures ( in both the Old and New Testament ) which clearly show that God demands His children to make judgement. But Jesus is not prohibiting all judgement. Only the manner of judgement against people which is either hypocritical, or unforgiving or condemnatory. Let us as Gods’ spiritual children always keep in mind as to how Gods’ Word characterizes His own children with specific regard to judgement; 15. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. - 1 Corinthians 2:15 The Christian of this present time needs to keep the matter of judgement in its’ proper perspective. God demands us as Christians to make judgement, on this issue the scriptures are very clear. What God does not allow or condone of His children is hypocritical, unforgiving and condemnatory judgement against other people, both sinner and saint alike. ------------------------------------------------------------ |