Judging Righteously

Bulletins

Michael Hickox
05/19/24 - General

Jesus commanded in John 7, “Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (verse 24).

Consider some things taught here and in other passages about judging others.

Judging is Necessary - Jesus’ command “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged” (Matt. 7:1) has become perhaps the most well-known verse in Scripture.

Some claim this teaches we should never judge others. Yet, shortly after this Jesus gave instruction that clearly requires judging others (cf. v. 6, v. 15-16). These commands are among many that imply a need for judging others (also see Matt. 18:15-17, Gal. 6:1, James 5:19-20).

More will be said about the context of Matthew 7, but it is clear when looking at the totality of God’s teachings that judging others is at times necessary. Furthermore, when judging is done right, it’s a good thing rather than a bad thing.

We Must Judge Fairly - While judging is a good thing when done right, it can do great harm when done wrong.

A key to avoid judging wrongly is to judge others with fairness.

In the John 7 passage, Jesus preceded His command to judge righteously with an illustration of how the Jewish leaders weren’t doing that (see verses 21-23). They judged Jesus unfairly, failing to consider relevant facts.

We must not make false or careless accusations against others, but instead fairly consider available facts.

We Must Judge According to God’s Commands - Furthermore, when we judge others’ righteousness, we should do so according to God’s commands, and not according to the opinions of man. As James 4:12 teaches, “There is one lawgiver,” and we are not Him.

Notice what the Holy Spirit through Paul said in Romans 14:3: Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.

The context of this command deals with things God has given no preference concerning. If God neither requires nor forbids something, we have no right to accuse someone of sin because he or she chooses a different option than us.

If we judge someone as guilty of sin, it must be something God defines as sin and not merely based on our own opinions of what we feel is wrong.

We Must Not Judge Hypocritically - Something else that is involved in judging righteously is to not judge hypocritically.

This takes us back to the passage in which Jesus said “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged” (Matt. 7:1). The point Jesus was making in the passage is driven home in verse 5: You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

It can be much easier to see faults in others than to see the faults in one’s own life (cf. 2 Sam. 12:5-7), but we should foremost focus on things we ourselves need to correct.

We Must Judge with Love - Another point concerning judging that is implied in Scripture is that judging should be done with love (1 Cor. 16:14). When judging others, the goal should not be to “bring someone down,” “win” an argument, exalt ourselves, or any other selfish focus. Rather, the goal should be to please God and benefit other(s), including the one guilty of sin. Galatians 6:1 teaches the need to point out faults “in a spirit of gentleness.” This will be much easier if we have the love and humility we should.

Perhaps part of the reason judging is often viewed negatively is because it is often done unrighteously. The answer to this is not to assume that all judging is bad, but to do our part to ensure we judge rightly.

God’s revelation thoroughly equips us to do this. May we heed His instruction and “judge righteous judgment.”