Page Suggestions: Bible Facts, Judgment, Judgment Day
Is It Right To Judge
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Judge Scripturally
Isaiah 8:20 says,
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Our standard is God's word, not our feelings, our traditions, or our opinions. Right and wrong should always be determined by God's word.
Don't Judge When God's Word Is Silent
If God's word is silent about a subject, then you may not have to judge at all. Don't rush to judgment on an issue when the Bible says very little or is silent about it. Don't make more of a matter than God makes of it. A good example of this is found in Colossians 2:16:
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.
That is, these are not subjects of great importance today, so let's not make these great issues of judgment.
Pray for Good Judgment Ability
When Solomon received his kingdom he asked God to
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 1 Kings 3:9
James 1:5 says,
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
We should pray for good judgment ability.
Don't Respect Persons
Proverbs 24:23 says,
These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.
Treat all parties fairly without favoring anyone, such as family members or friends. A truly fair judge is blind and deaf to any outer influence. (Isaiah 42:1, 19-21
(verse 1) Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
(verse 19) Who [is] blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger [that] I sent? who [is] blind as [he that is] perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?
(verse 20) Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
(verse 21) The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make [it] honourable.Isaiah 42 verses 1, 19-21)
Judge in Truth
Do not judge another when you do not have all the relevant facts. Jeremiah 5:1 says,
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
A true judge is one who seeks the truth. If you must judge, be sure and get all the facts. A Japanese proverb says to "search seven times before you judge."
Judge Mercifully
Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:2:
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
You'll reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7-8(verse 7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
(verse 8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.Galatians 6 verses 7-8).
If you are swift and harsh in judging others, then God will see to it that you receive the same from others. Has God not been very merciful to you, even though you deserved it not? Likewise, you should exercise mercy toward others.
Don't Forget to Judge Yourself
For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 1 Corinthians 11:30-31
If you are a true Christian, then you belong to God. You are God's child. If you refuse to judge and improve yourself as a child of God, then God will take it upon Himself to judge you. Many of the troubles that we face in life are nothing more than God's way of judging us since we often neglect to judge ourselves.
Wouldn't it be amazing if every Christian actually took time to judge themselves before judging anyone else? In Matthew 7:4-5, Jesus says,
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
A good judge will not fail to judge himself.