Scripture study on Judging

One of the most common accusations against GCM Watch is that it is “judging” or “judgmental”. This stems from an improper understanding and thus an improper application of the biblical perspective. Most people use broken scripture (like broken english) as the basis of their objections without considering full counsel in the bible on judging.

There is a certain danger when we adopt the world’s reasoning and (il)logic for obedience to the will of God. The world in its sin hates the light of God’s word and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. In such a blinded condition it perceives any mention of its sins as “judgment” and will attempt to silence any voice which does not affirm its sin. Such an attitude should not be acceptable or practiced in the church. Unfortunately, the contemporary church is more and more using the way and thinking of the world without fully considering the Word of God first and foremost.

This study is for those who seriously want to understand and apply the full gospel approach to judging. The following scriptures are to help you understand that judging others and ourselves is a biblical imperative and a part of our duty as followers of Christ to help keep the church in a submissive mode to our Lord. They also give us the proper framework, motivation and purpose of judging. When we fail to follow God’s way, the lack of righteous judgment breeds pride, arrogance and immorality among the people of God.

We encourage you not to just take our word for it, but look up the scriptures listed and study them to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.

For your convenience, use the online BibleGateway reference tool.

I Corinthians 1:10
I Cor. 6:1-5
John 7:24
1 Cor 5:9-13
Revelation 2:2
Isaiah 8:20
Proverbs 24:23
Matthew 7:1-5
1 Corinthians 11:30-31
2 Cor 13:5
2 Timothy 2:4
Romans 14:1-13
James 4:12
2 Cor 2:15
1 Cor 6:2-5
Judges 21:25

Other scriptures and passages will be added for for further study.

19 Comments on "Scripture study on Judging"

pressing4word | July 29, 2010 at 10:48 am | Reply

Very GOOD Post…right on point! I myself have been battling this deceptive angle from members of my extended family. After the HS revealed to me years ago that one of my cousins was at a crossroad w/ homosexuality…I lovingly shared w/ her parents, but they refused. Well, within a yr. she moved off to Atlanta, changed her appearance, and has since lived w/ several females. Last year she impregnanted herself and now has a baby w/ her “partner”..trying to make a “family”. When confronted on what I thought of the situation, I again took a stand against this and was met w/ attitudes that I was Judgmental and I should know better coming from a religous family, etc. The rest of the family refused to take a stand against it (except for my parents and siblings). My immediate family is in ministry and they knew they would have to get our “approval” to push it onto the rest of the family members. Of course that didn’t happen, so we were attacked. Well, just THIS week, a different aunt of mine was devestated because her son (my cousin) is in his 2nd yr. of college and now he is confused..thinks he’s bisexual! We tried to stop it at the root, but they refused our warnings and now look. It truly breaks my heart! I love my family and have been praying for them for years..the devil truly is out to seduce the minds of our young people. The culture has truly molded their minds.
- George Hoffman | September 28, 2012 at 1:14 am | Reply
  
  Nowadays, it’s not only being judgmental, but being “intolerant”, or being “full of hate.” I came from a gay background and you would think I would be heard and respected. No, I am now a homophobic repressed homosexual. Can’t win, don’t care. I follow God. I can rest at night very easily.
Angela | July 29, 2010 at 11:28 am | Reply

I think it’s good that this is posted. The entire “Don’t judge” war cry is beyond old and its welcome was worn out ages ago, if it ever even had one.

I’m going to familiarize and memorize the referenced verses, thanks.

Just want to add that I think it’s important to understand that when making biblical judgments, it should be done in a balance of grace and truth. One of the worst things that a Christian can do, in my opinion, is to speak the truth without showing any measure of grace (not including false teachers, for they should receive a more harsh reprimand). Who will become receptive to the truth when it’s proclaimed in coldness and a lack of grace? It’s the Spirit of God who works on the heart, yes, but we have accountability also in how we communicate God’s Word.
Yet on the flip side we also need to speak the truth in its entirety, which consists of both the love of God and the content & method of His justice. That entails informing people of God’s holy standard whether they want to hear or it or not, correcting and rebuking people who claim they’re Christians whether they want to hear it or not, making people aware of the consequences of their actions if they’re disobedient, whether they want to hear it or not.

We judge, yes, but we do it with a balance of grace and truth (which I’m learning how to do).
And you do it very well, Pastor.

My 2 cents.
gcmwatch | July 30, 2010 at 10:48 am | Reply

Angela, youre right there certainly is a proper attitude in judging. Those scriptures are listed there too. I didnt identify them because I want the person to study and properly identify them on their own.

You pointed out something that is also true. Judging with grace and truth does not come overnight. Neither can novices accurately do so, but everyone can learn as long as they have the proper biblical perspective and practice it. I think GCM Watch provides many opportunities to learn and practice and for those who arbitrarily condemn judging are shortchanging the great learning process.

The bible is perfectly balanced. It addresses unjust judgment, unrighteous judgment, right judgment and just judgment. It covers self judgment and judgment of others. It tells us what conditions require us to judge others and when we should let God handle it. It reveals why judgment is needed and what happens if we dont. Thats both personal and corporate.

In short we need a full understanding Prov 4:7.
rainy | August 13, 2010 at 12:23 pm | Reply

when i correct my childrn when they do wrong is that judging.
if i do’nt punish them or even spank them when they do wrong,they would stay in all kinds of trouble.so we need correction in the church,but there is none at all those spirits is having a good time in god house.Jesus even beat them in the temple(grown folks)(even old folks) when they was selling goods in the church.
Sharron Hall | April 4, 2012 at 9:19 pm | Reply

I am SOOOOOOOO glad that I am NOT the only person on the planet that feels this way!!! People use judging so loosely, but when it comes to righteous living and wanting to please God, and you see your so called “Christian friends and family members” doing that which is contrary to God’s WORD, and call them on it that’s NOT judging!! That’s standing for HOLINESS and RIGHTEOUS! Let God’s Word be TRUE and every man a liar! In other words they can KICK DUST!!! I don’t want to fall in the hands of angry GOD, because I let down my standards!! I’m on the LORD’s side!!! So again THANK YOU!!!
Tony Davis | April 5, 2012 at 6:40 am | Reply

Excellent post and I definetely don’t need to add anything for all the comments posted say enough. Its wonderful when the body comes together in one accord, especially on such a sensitive and misunderstood subject.
Steve Essary | July 2, 2012 at 11:43 pm | Reply

There is so much I want to say. I am sure my post will not make it to the screen and if it does, it will not last long. It is such a misunderstanding that you have concerning judgment and the Law. The Law was given to condemn ALL. When you overeat you break the law and are as guilty as a murderer. To point the finger at ANYONE is to point at yourself. One side of this argument is losing and will continue to lose. Your message won’t last another 50 years because it is not even close to the Good News that Jesus gave us. I feel sorry for you and the lack of love in your hearts for your fellow humans and brothers and sisters!!! There is but ONE GOD and He is the Father of ALL!!!
- gcmwatch | July 3, 2012 at 9:14 am | Reply
  
  Steve, its apparent you have many things wrong. First, your comment did appear so your first comment is practically a lie, unless you want to recant. Secondly, we posted SCRIPTURES here, so you are saying the scriptures wont last another 50 years. Thats another foolish and laughable lie. We all know that heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s word will stand forever. (Mt 24:35) Jesus said that. Third, Good news cannot be realized unless you understand the bad news. The bad news is that we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But I guess thats “judging” to you and should not be made public so that people dont feel bad about themselves. I tell you what. You hold your breath and let’s see who lasts longer: You or God’s eternal word.
  - b.Stacks | April 10, 2013 at 11:29 pm | Reply
    
    Let me say this, and Steve can chime in. In Mt 24:35, Jesus said that His words would last forever… His WORDS. In John, Jesus was described as the WORD of God. You cannot say this to Steve for you are ignorant and manipulate God’s Word. So I conclude that God will fulfill the prophesy without you. (I can judge you because you are my “brother in Christ”.)
- Lacee | November 20, 2012 at 10:58 am | Reply
  
  No, we are all God’s creation, however, we are not all God’s children! If that were so, then Jesus would not have said to the Pharisees, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do…” John 8:44. If the devil is a person’s father, then God can not be their father as well! You become a child of God (and he becomes your father) when you come to believe in Jesus Christ. John 1:12-13.
lyn | July 3, 2012 at 2:48 pm | Reply

Steve, you claim ‘The Law was given to condemn ALL.’ This is not true, the law reveals to us our sins – “for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20

We stand condemned because we have all sinned, not because the law condemns us; we condemn ourselves.

You also say “When you overeat you break the law and are as guilty as a murderer”. Could you point us to scripture that says an overweight person is a murderer? To overeat is to be guilty of the sin of gluttony, not murder.If you are angry with another w/o just cause, you are considered to be a murderer {Matt. 5:22}.

We are commanded to judge those inside the church {1 Cor. 5:12}. Those who are caught in sin should be dealt with according to the Scriptures {Matt. 18:15-17, Romans 16:17, 2 Thess. 3:6, 2 Thess. 3:14, 1 Tim. 6:5, 2 John 1:10, Galatians 6:1}.
The definition of ‘judge’ found in 1 Corinthians 5:12 is
‘to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: – avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.’ It would appear the best definition that fits this verse is ‘to call into question’. Here is commentary concerning this verse from John Gill, ” The apostle appeals to their own conduct, that they only reproved, censured, and punished with excommunication, such as were within the pale of the church, were members of it, and belonged unto it; nor did they pretend to exercise a power over others; and it would have been well if they had made use of the power they had over their own members, by admonishing and reproving such as had sinned; by censuring delinquents, and removing from their communion scandalous and impenitent offenders”.

You seem to follow a Jesus that is all love, but do not forget, Christ hates sin and will punish all who persist in it. The Christ of the Bible is holy, righteous, just and must punish sinners because of His holiness. Wrath is something we hear little of in today’s churches because it is an unpopular topic. So we hear candy-coated sermons that emphasize that God is all love, however, they leave out His holiness. This is the main attribute of God, and yet, most never speak much of this, nor do most understand what it means when someone says God is holy. The Lord Himself commands ‘you shall be holy, for I am holy’ – 1 Peter 1:16
and this from Hebrews 12:14, ” Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
May the Lord cause you to drink deep from His word, may He grant you wisdom and understanding.
Kathy Mann | August 31, 2012 at 10:11 pm | Reply

wow, it’s wonderful to see the scriptures. I don’t think calling a sin a sin is judgmental, and I don’t believe calling a sin is the same as hating someone. If I hate someone, I would want them to be separated from God, and therefore wouldn’t care if they are sinning. As a Christian, the most loving thing I could do is help someone to see their sin, confess it, and repent, and be reconciled to our loving God. I am well aware that I am a sinner also, however, I do confess my sins and repent of them. I don’t think any Christian would dare to say they are without sin, they would be lying. Which is better, to just judge someone and let them continue in their sin, or to tell them, and give them a chance at redemption?
Coni | February 19, 2013 at 1:10 am | Reply

Stumbled on this site… wow…this is so incredibly awesome. I live in Calif a place where “tolerance” is marketed Everywhere for the sake of bringing in tourist money. There are a few Spirit lead churches here but sometimes they get off track….if that is possible. My neighbor next to me is gay…i have my Christian radio on (preaching/anointed worship music on often…I’m hoping they are getting something out of it! I dont hate then but their sin….i think they know that. Thank you for these AMMO VERSES.
Tinyurl.com | April 15, 2013 at 1:22 pm | Reply

This particular article, “Scripture study on Judging | Gay Christian
Movement Watch” was great. I’m making out a duplicate to
demonstrate to my colleagues. Thanks for the post-Angel
Jai Rogers | March 7, 2014 at 3:50 pm | Reply

I don’t understand why you care. In my world, my soul Salvation is my sole salvation. I know what I know and believe what I believe. If other people want to go to hell then it is not my place to stop them. Each one of us has to stand accountable for our own actions. I
- Hervin Balfour | June 26, 2014 at 7:00 pm | Reply
  
  Why should one care? Because if you are part of The Body of Christ you are my brother in Christ. And the Bible says to Love thy neighbor as thy love thy self. You are my neighbor in the Body of Christ. And if you love someone would you want your blood brother/sister/parents to go to Hell if you knew you could help prevent them from going? I am not sure of the exact scripture but the Bible tells us to look out for one another as The Body of Christ. Yes at the end of the day you have to be held accountable. But if one can get delivered from this sin why would one want to continue living in this manner?!?!?
  - gcmwatch | June 29, 2014 at 10:46 am | Reply
    
    thanks for your support of the truth Hervin!
Hervin Balfour | June 26, 2014 at 7:01 pm | Reply

BTW I agree with this thread. I wrote something similar to someone on YT mad at me because I had to get on Ricky Dillard and his antics.

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Scripture study on Judging

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