Friday Night Message: To Judge Or Not To Judge

Apr. 14, 2023

Good evening brethren, 

Is judgment something that we are to have and to grow in, or is it something that we are to avoid altogether and eliminate from our lives?  Or could it be both, depending upon the multiple meanings and nuances of this word “judgment”.  Let’s continue this series of messages which is named “To Judge, Or Not To Judge?”

For the purpose of this series, I would like to describe for you two broad categories or types of judgment – condemnation, and discernment: 

• Under the general heading of condemnation go such meanings as harsh criticism, sentencing, passing judgment, censure, and the like.  

• Under the general heading of discernment go such things as distinguishing right from wrong, having understanding or good sense, the ability to compare and decide.

Let’s continue to evaluate condemnation.  In this kind of judgment, the emphasis and focus is on the person (not an incident), on the inner heart and motives (not just the outward actions or behavior), and on their destiny or ultimate fate (not just present consequences).

Why is it wrong for us to judge others in this way?”  Why should it be avoided?  …

1. It’s not our job.

2. We would not do a good job of it.  Why?...

2-A. Judging according to the flesh

2-B. Judging before the time

2-C. Judging from afar

 3. As you judge, you will be judged.

Now let us add yet another reason to avoid this type of judgment.   “Why is it wrong for us to judge others in this way?”  Why should it be avoided?

4. Even Jesus, during His earthly ministry, tended not to judge [condemn] people.

After His second coming, Jesus Christ will judge the whole world, but that topic will need to wait for another time.  Meanwhile, next week we will consider one final reason why we should not condemn others.

 5. Sometimes it’s not even a matter of right or wrong.

There are areas of life where we sometimes go judging others… where it is not a matter of sin or not.  Rather, it is a matter of opinion, or preference, or conscience, or approach.

Examples …..What genres of music are appropriate for church services, whether or not clapping for special music is OK, home schooling vs. public education, making a choice from the various medical approaches/philosophies/practices, what TV shows would be appropriate to watch on the Sabbath, etc.

People may have strong opinions about some of these subjects.  I have seen some lively discussions about these things.  But usually it is not a matter of right or wrong, moral or immoral, sin or not sin.  So there we have five reasons why we should not judge others in a condemning way.  Next Friday Night we will begin to talk about discernment, giving reasons why we SHOULD judge things when it comes to discernment.

Have a restful Sabbath,

Fred