JUDGING:

In What Situations Might It Be Appropriate To Judge Another Person?

We Must Judge Others By Elohim's Standards Of Fairness.

"And shall make him breathe in the fear of YHVH, and He shall not judge by sight of His Eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His Ears. But with righteousness shall He judge the poor and shall decide with straightness for the meek ones of the earth and shall strike the earth with a rod of His Mouth and slay the wrong with the breath of His Lips. And righteousness shall be the girdle of His Loins and trustworthyness the girdle of His Waist" (Isaiah 11:3-5) Elohim will judge with righteousness and justice. How we long for fair treatment from others, but do we give it? We hate those who base their judgments on appearance, false evidence or hearsay, but are we quick to judge others using those standards? Only Moshiach can be the perfectly fair judge. Only as He governs our heart can we learn to be as fair in our treatment of others as we expect others to be toward us.

Some Types Of Judgment Are Necessary And Appropriate.

"Do not judge lest you be judged. For with what judgement you judge, you shall be judged. And with the same measure you use, it shall be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2) Yeshua’s statement, “Stop judging others,” is against the kind of hypocritical, judgmental attitude that tears others down in order to build oneself up. It is not a blanket statement against all critical thinking, but a call to be discerning rather than negative. Yeshua said to expose false teachers (Matthew 7:15-23) and Paul taught that we should exercise church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1-2) and trust YHVH to be the final Judge (1 Corinthians 4:3-5).

Our Perception Of Others Often Tells Us A Lot About Ourselves.

Yeshua tells us to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others. The traits that bother us in others are often the habits we dislike in ourselves. Our untamed bad habits and behaviour patterns are the very ones that we most want to change in others. Do you find it easy to magnify others’ faults while excusing your own? If you are ready to criticize someone, check to see if you deserve the same criticism. Judge yourself first and then lovingly forgive and help your neighbour.

Judgment Is Appropriate When Confronting Sin.

"For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are inside?" (1 Corinthians 5:12) The Bible consistently tells us not to criticize people by gossiping or making rash judgments. At the same time however, we are to judge and deal with sin that can hurt others. Paul’s instructions should not be used to handle trivial matters or to take revenge; nor should they be applied to individual problems between believers. These verses are instructions for dealing with open sin in the church, with a person who claims to be a Christian and yet who sins without remorse. The church is to confront and discipline such a person in love.

What Does YHVH Think Of Our Judging Others?

1 Corinthians 4:5: "So do not judge any at all before the time, until the Master comes, Who shall bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the thoughts of the hearts. And then each one's praise shall come from Elohim." We should be very slow to judge others, because only Elohim is capable of judging rightly every time.

Romans 2:1: "Therefore O Man, you are without excuse, everyone who judges, for in which you judge another you condemn yourself since you who judge, practise the same wrongs." When we condemn others for their sin, YHVH sees our hypocrisy.

1 Samuel 16:7: "But YHVH said to Shemu'el: Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature because I have refused him, for not as man sees, for man looks at the eyes but YHVH looks at the heart'” YHVH doesn’t want us to make judgments based on outward appearance.

Leviticus 19:15: "Do no unrighteousness in right-ruling. Do not be partial to the poor or favour the face of the great, but rightely rule your neighbour in righteousness." When we have to make a judgment, we must do so with fairness and integrity.

What Are The Consequences Of Judging Others?

2 Samuel 12:5-7: "And the wrath of David burn greately against the man and he said to Nathan, as YHVH lives, the man who done this is a son of death. Also he has to repay fourfold for the lamb, because he did this deed and because he had no compassion. Then Nathan said to David: You are the man! Thus said YHVH, Elohim of Yisra'el, I anointed you sovereign over Yisra'el and I delivered you from the hand of Sha'ul” If we are too quick to judge others, we may be found guilty of the same things.

Matthew 7:2: "For with what judgement you judge, you shall be judged. And with the same measure you use, it shall be measured to you."

Luke 6:37: "And do not judge and you shall not be judged at all. Condemn not and you shall not be condemned at all. Forgive and you shall be forgiven." We will be judged by the same standard we use.