Principles of Judging Christian Behavior

1. We are always to first judge ourselves for any sin present in our lives that we know of (1 John 1:9). We are to examine ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:31) We are to repent of all sin habits.

2. If we have knowledgeably sinned against others, we are to refrain from worshiping God, and immediately go to our offended brother or sister for reconciliation (Matthew 5:23 & 24). And...

3. The same is true (#2) if we have sinned against unbelievers (Matthew 5:25).

4. If a Christian sins against you, first, make sure you have no known sin in your life that you could be rebuked for, before you go to your brother to correct him. Read Matthew 7:1-5 very carefully.

5. Then, only if you have no “beams” in your eye, can you apply Galatians 6:1. Watch your attitude. Go in gentleness.

6. Depending on his response, use Matthew 18:15-17 if he (your brother) has offended you.

7. We must judge our brother as to whether he is in sin, and if he is willing to repent of it and separate himself from it. We must make the judgement to separate ourselves from fellowshipping with him, if he is unrepentant and refuses to ask for forgiveness. (2 John 7-11; Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17)

8. Can we judge (krino) a brother’s service, ministry or stewardship? NO! The only exception is if ALL the facts are known and sin is actually and openly involved. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)

9. Again, be warned of Matthew 7:1-5. Better to ask “why” a person is doing something than to judge (krino) by appearance or haste.

10. If an unbeliever sins against you, you can forgive or use 1 Timothy 1:8-10.

To Admonish: putting in mind (verbally), (Greek - nouthesis) training by word (negate “do nots” or encouragement) includes reproof, remonstrance, i.e. strong reasoning against something. Warn.

To Exhort: call aside, entreat (verbal), (Greek - parakaleo, paraineo) urge, plead to come back to God’s way, advise, warn, beseech.

To Rebuke: Put honor upon, then to adjudge, (Greek - etitimao) solemn warning of consequences of sin. (Greek - elencho), convict, refute, reprove with conviction, to put to shame. (Greek - epiplesso) to strike at, on (all verbal). (Greek - elenxis) rebuke.

To Reproof: is to bring to light, privately, a fault in another person. (Greek - elegimos) to expose something, convict. (Verbal)

To Correct: (Greek - diorthoma) reform, amendment, correction, a making straight, clarifying, change. (Greek - epanorthosis) a restoration to an upright state. (Greek - paideutes) a corrector/teacher/chastizer.

...in longsuffering and doctrine, love, meekness,
...in humility, patiently, responsibly, gently

Judging a sin:
1 Corinthians 5:3, 12, 13, 11:29-32
To restore:
Galatians 6:1 (Greek - kartatizo) mend, repair
To Judge:
Angels, the world (1 Corinthians 6:3)
Brethren (1 Corinthians 5:3, 5, 12; 6:5)
Ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:31)

Luke 17:3 & 4 - (Read) This verse reveals “conditional” forgiveness. IF he repents FIRST, I will forgive him.

“if he repents”; (changes his attitude, apologizes, admits his sin, asks you to forgive him), you THEN are to forgive him, and forget what happened. The commitment here - to forgive - is to God, NOT to the offender. (There is no such thing as advance forgiveness.)

Matthew 18:15-17 - NO forgiveness is granted to him or her until the offender
repents.

2 Corinthians 2:6-7 - after church discipline has been done (Matthew 18:15-17)
and IF repentance comes, THEN forgive him. Tell him you forgive him so he knows it for sure.

You MUST forgive all people who have offended you so that God will hear your prayers (Mark 11:25)

If you don’t forgive them before God, you won’t be forgiven your transgressions either (Mark 11:26; Luke 11:4 Our Father’s Prayer); (Matthew 6:14-15; “if you have repented”.)

WARNING: You cannot ask another Christian to repent if you haven’t repented of known sins or sin habits in your life (Matthew 7:1-5; Galatians 6:1).

Forgiveness requires “forgetting” the past completely. To keep “digging up” old sins is sin. To be bitter and carry a grudge is sin. Forgiveness ALWAYS means “forgetting” the offense.

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