Why A Christian Should Judge

There is a doctrine in most of our churches that teaches that you, as a Christian, cannot judge. So, what we need to do is go to the Word of God to see. Let’s start with a very common Scripture reference that is used to support such a doctrine.

Matthew 7:1-2 “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

There are other similar Scripture references, such as Luke 6:37. Many Christians use this to vindicate the teaching that a Christian cannot judge. Yes, I know that looking at this on the surface is what one would think. The Bible teaches us line upon line, precept upon precept. Please, stay with me. The Word says that a wise man hears the end of the matter. Before we go on to more Scripture references let me expound on Matthew 7:1-2. The above passage isn’t teaching us not to judge - it is actually teaching us how to judge. If you or I have a harsh or an ungodly judgment, and we use that judgment against another, then we will bring that very same manner of judgment from God upon ourselves. Furthermore, using the example of being drunk, if you judge someone who is a drunk, but you yourself are a drunk, then that shows you have the knowledge that something is wrong but you are continuing in it. Since you have confirmed the fact that you understand that it is wrong, the Bible teaches that you will be bringing that same judgment on yourself.

Let us go on to more Scripture references: I Corinthians 2:15 “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” Paul makes a statement that he would like to speak to you as unto spirituals. So I would like to do the same. If you are spiritual, then according to the Word of God, you judge all things. Amen!

I Corinthians 6:1-4 “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.”

Brothers and sisters, according to this, we are going to judge the world, and not only that, but we are even going to judge the angels. Furthermore, it says that we are asked to set the least esteemed in the church to judge.

I Peter 4:17 “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

John 7:24 “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” So here, John tells us to judge righteous judgment.

Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

Now we find that we are told here in Romans to mark them, and how would we know which ones to mark unless we judge them? Amen.

II Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”

One might ask, “How do I know if a brother is walking disorderly?” This is done by judging him. Amen!

Friends, there are many more Scripture references that I could use to show you that if you are a Christian, that you are commanded to judge. I will go on to say the reason the teaching on “judge not” is so common in the churches is because the pastors have the same spirit that Jesus met when He came to the country of Gergesenes against the Sea of Galilee. They said to Jesus, “Are you here to torment us before the time?” I know that sounds like a strong indictment, but I can say this is why the churches and homes around the world are all in such terrible condition. Mom and Dad, you need to be judging everyday! You need to be judging who your children are fellowshipping. The Bible says evil communications corrupt good manners. Yes, you need to be judging. If your pastor is teaching a doctrine that you cannot judge, you need to judge him and depart. The Bible says that the man of God is thoroughly equipped to reprove, rebuke, and to exhort with all long suffering. That is because he is judging the matters, and that is what he has to do. The next time someone tells you that you cannot judge, please let them know that they just judged you.

I hope this helps you to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God bless you.

Pastor Rob Coones

This message, along with other printed and audio teachings by our pastor, Bro. Rob Coones, are available on our web site, and published for free distribution. For more copies, write to the address below, and state how many tracts you can wisely use.

Christian Temple Ministerial Association
3844 Mount Gilead Church Road
Sophia, NC 27350-8820 USA