Judging Others (Pt.1)

“Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters.[a] If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?”-James 4:11-12

Do not judge! Probably one of the most often quoted phrases in Scripture that has been taken out of context and misappropriated more often than any other passage. It has become the anecdotal passage for those that feel as though their actions are being called into question. However, although James is simply quoting what Jesus taught in regards to judging others, man has attempted to redefine to ease their own conscience.

James begins by instructing us not to speak evil against each other, criticize, or judge; when we do we are judging God’s law. What law is that? According to James 2:8:

“Yes indeed, It is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

When we pass judgment on others we are declaring that God’s royal law does not apply us. We are declaring that we are not bound by it and have authorized ourselves to condemn the wrongdoing we see in others.

The key to this passage is found in vs. 12: God alone has the power to save or destroy. This is at the very heart of judging others. We, especially when we are hurt or angry, want to be able to execute judgment (the power to save or destroy) over another person’s life. However, only God has that power. A power that requires a tremendous amount of self-control and that is always motivated properly.

Does this mean that we should simply go through life turning a blind eye to wrongdoing and never address people for what they are doing? The answer is…No!

What is important for us as believers to under is the difference between judging and discerning. The world (those caught up in sin) would like you to believe that there is no difference between the two, but let’s look at the difference:

1. Judging: to form an opinion, pronounce a verdict; condemn
2. Discern: distinguish between righteousness and unrighteousness

The world would like for you be believe that simply recognizing and acknowledging right from wrong is a form of judgment, when in reality it is discernment. What Jesus and James were trying to confront is a spirit of condemnation that many believers had adopted towards fallen people. When we judge others, we often lose sight of who we are in the sight of God. We forget that we, too, have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, but when we discern properly, we recognize wrong behavior based on our own hearts struggle with sin.

Pastor Scott Burr
Dayspring Community Church