Judgment is a difficult topic to discuss because it cuts to the quick of our heart. It is one of the “hidden sins” that we allocate in out life as “not that bad.” We often give it room in our lives so that we can have a sense of moral superiority and clarity over someone else. But is judgment allowed? Is it something we should do? Or is it something that is always wrong?
We will look at judgment from a Godly perspectively as well as a worldly one. But before we do that, we have to see how God uses judgment. We’ll first look at how God judges nations and peoples. Then we’ll address if we have the right to judge people like God, or according to our own parameters.
First, let’s look at three stories of judgment from scripture. We’ll look at:
God’s judgment of the Canaanites God’s judgment of Solomon God’s judgment of Israel/Judah
GOD’S RIGHT TO JUDGE GOD’S JUDGMENT OF THE CANAANITES
Who were the Canaanites? The Canaanites were descended from a man named Canaan, who was the son of Ham, who was the son of Noah (Genesis 9:18). Canaan was cursed due to a sin against Noah (Genesis 9:20-25):
20 Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. 21 When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked. 24 When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, 25 he said, “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.”
What is this mysterious sin committed by Ham and Canaan? The bible isn’t clear on what was done, but it is grievous enough to carry a curse. Eventually, all of these sons left the ark and forged out on their own, multiplying and beginning cities. The Japhethites settled north of Israel, the Shemites settled east of Israel and the Hamites (Canaanites) settled in Egypt and Israel. The Canaanites still carried the curse of their forefather.
The Canaanites, over time, moved away from God. In the story of the tower of Babel we see the great grandson of Noah, Nimrod, leading a great city, Babel (the early foundation of Babylon) in Genesis 10:9-10:
9 He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; that is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the Lord.” 10 The first centers of his kingdom were Babylon, Uruk, Akkad and Kalneh, in Shinar.
Nimrod leads his people in and organized opposition of God by building a great tower. In this story we see that the people see to do this so they can look mighty. They don’t need God’s help. They don’t want God’s approval. They are doing it independent of God. So, because of their pride, God scatters them into many tribes and languages, opening up many cultures who move into and around Israel. The Canaanites, the people occupying the land of Israel, rise to prominence.
Fast forward to Genesis 17:8, where God promises this land to Abram:
8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”
In Abrams time, God has promised the land to the Israelites as a testimony of God’s saving grace and mercy. It is a lasting inheritance to Israel. But how is this land going to be put into the hands of the Israelites? There is no nation at this point.
This is how God often works. If we are to understand the depth of the scriptures and the long game of God, we have to understand that God often uses people and time in a way that is alien to us. Sometimes his justice prevails a century after the crime, or his mercy is understood decades after the tragedy. In this case, a multitude of years must pass before we even see the Israel nation rise. Some things must first happen:
Joseph must be hustled to Egypt and rise to power Jacob must listen to God and bring his family to Egypt to avoid a famine The Jewish people, now in Egypt, must stay there and multiply The Egyptian Pharaoh must see this explosion of Jewish people, become scared and enslave them The Jews must be enslaved for over 400 years before Moses comes to rescue them
So, from he time God promises Abram’s inheritance to the Jews, escape from bondage and trek toward the promised land, 720 years pass. During this entire time, the Canaanites are outside of God’s law. Joshua goes into the promised land and ultimately the Israelites botch their attempt 50 years after Joshua hangs up his mantle. Once Canaan is invaded and ultimately fractured, all the way up to Israel installing its first king, another 406 years pass.
Do you see God’s long game? Played over a number of centuries through different peoples and different eras, God ultimately judged Canaan. Why did He judge Canaan? Because Canaan had turned its back on God. God gave Canaan a long rope, bringing the players into the story over time, until the time was ripe to judge Canaan. The Canaanites rejected God.
GOD’S JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON
God exalted King Solomon to the royal throne before Solomon was even born. He is the product of David’s restoration with God through his sin, repentance and restoration as detailed int eh story of David and Bathsheba. Solomon, chosen by God, is a good and wise leader. He builds God’s temple. He expands Israel to its largest size ever. But, in time, Solomon is corrupted by his wealth (1 Kings 10:14). Also, during the time of the great expansion, Solomon collects 700 wives and 300 concubines. It is the women, brought in from other nations, that ultimately drive him away from God. Because of this, God strips Solomon’s kingdom away.
We may think, at this point, that is punishment enough. But this isn’t solely Solomon’s punishment. The kingdom is to be stripped away after Solomon’s death. The sense of pride Solomon had for his mighty kingdom becomes a prison. He knows that the kingdom he built will be destroyed during his son’s reign. Solomon’s judgment, by God, is meant to humble him. Why? Because Solomon rejected God.
GOD’S JUDGMENT OF JUDAH/ISRAEL The people of Judah and Israel both moved away from God. After the split of the kingdom, Israel (the 10 northern tribes) moved into decadence until their ultimate fall 208 years later. Judah (the tribes of Judah and Benjamin) in the south was a little more successful. They lasted 324 years and their experience was more of a mixed bad. Although had its share of bad rulers (most of them toward the end), much of Judah’s experience was with a handful of mostly good rulers (Asa, Jehosophat, Hezekiah, Josiah) and lukewarm rulers (Joash, Amaziah, Jotham, Ahaz). But ultimately the kings eroded and toward the end God wasn’t in the picture. Babylon, in this case is God’s hammer of judgment on Judah, with Nebuchadnezzar invading Judah, destroying the temple and stealing all of its treasures (2 Kings 24:1-4). The Jews, in turn, are deported to Babylon and Jerusalem is left in ruins. This judgment is meant humble Judah. Why? Because Judah rejected God.
By now we should be getting a clearer picture of why and when God judges. In each case, the people in question chose to reject God. Yes, it is a choice. Upon rejecting God and going their own way, God allowed them time to turn around, to change their ways, so no one would perish (2 Peter 3:9). Each carried a similar track:
Canaanites They were reduced They were ultimately absorbed and their practices died away The Jewish nation rose over them
Solomon Solomon was humbled Went on to write Ecclesiastes, Proverbs and Song of Solomon
Judah Spent 70 years in captivity Returned to Jerusalem to build the temple
Judgment often leads to humbling (If the correction is accepted) Humbling leads to a return to God
God normally takes a long time to judge He uses outside forces to judge God judges when there is a decisive turn from him God’s judgment is final for the one being judged But the judgment is beneficial
Judgment is about restoration
Judgment belongs to God Hebrews 9:27:27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
Romans 14:10-12 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” 12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
So, like authority, we must understand that judgment of a living soul belongs to God. Authority is a function of submission. If we are truly able to submit to human authority, then we will be better able to submit to God’s authority. With Judgment, we must understand that God knows what He is doing and He alone has the power and authority to judge wisely.
OUR RIGHT TO JUDGE Let’s look at John 7:24: 24 Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
First, does Jesus give us the go ahead to judge? It appears that we can judge others, but we must do it correctly. So what is correct judgment?
We’re going to look at a very famous verse about judgment, found in Matthew 7:1-6. This will get us started in understanding what judgment is, how we get off course and how we can shift the paradigm back to a proper understanding of judgment. Let’s look at the message first:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
To understand what God is trying to tell us, we first must divide up the verse into three sections.
Verses 1-2 These verses deal with our self-righteous nature
Verses 3- 5 These verses deal with our hypocritical nature
Verse 6 Deals with our unreceptive world
Verses 1-2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Our judgment must be complete and fair. The idea is this: we can only judge others by a standard we are willing be judged by. Unfair judgment renders a judgment upon us. If we are going tome a habit of judging others by our own standards, then what Jesus is saying here is to be prepared to be judged by the same criteria.
We break this command in several ways:
When we think the worst of others When we focus only on others’ faults When we judge someone’s life by its worst moments When we forget to put ourself in the same circumstance When we forget that we too will be judged
Verses 3-5
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Our hypocritical nature is an offshoot of our self-righteousness. Jesus uses hyperbole to make a large point: when we overlook our own issues and concentrate on the issues of others, we are operating in a hypocritical space. We are commanded to first deal with our own issues before concentrating on the issues of others. This is the ultimate area of humbleness. Unfair judgment renders a judgment upon us. Remember this: do not judge, or you too will be judged.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
This is the most difficult of the section of the entire passage, but bridges the gap between how we normally judge (incorrectly) and gives us a glimpse of how we are supposed to judge (correctly). In fact, this is a good time to make a distinction:
Judgment= Incorrect Correction = Correct
If we are to make a distinction between the wrong and right ways to judge, we have to look at the words themselves. Judgment is reserved for God. When we get in the way and try to play God, we are judging incorrectly. When our motives are pure and we want to bring someone back not restoration (just like God does), then we are judging a person by spiritual standards, not worldly standards.
So, when we render judgment on someone, if we are doing it correctly, we are looking at the person and making a judgment call to verify if they are still walking with God or have wandered away. That judgment call must lead to restoration. The judgment is not a finality, but an inroad to help that person climb backing relationship with God.
This verse references pearls, dogs and swine. The sacredness (pearls) that Jesus refers this the beauty of caring judgment. Of a believer seeing another believer, or even a non-believer, and approaching them with correction leading them back into understanding. This is done first through discernment. There must be a consultation with the spirit, a prayerful connection that verifies the judgment.
We must judge with a discerning heart. So when we go into the world and see someone who isn’t in alignment with God, based both on our knowledge of scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit, and seek to approach them, we must understand a truth about people: not everyone desires, or even wants, correction.
Paul encountered this is Acts 19:8-10:
8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
Paul encountered hardened hearts. People who didn’t want to listen, obey or even consider what he was saying. They grew obstinate; they refused to believe. They even went so far as to malign Paul in public. So what did Paul do to these people who didn’t desire correction spoken into their lives? He left. He went somewhere else. He found people who were receptive and spent his time on them.
In the same way, it is our job to speak truth, and correction, into the lives of others for their benefit. We shouldn’t waste our time on the unreceptive (Do not give dogs what is sacred). We must look for those hearts that are being shaped by God and pour into those. The motive here is important: it is a motive to share the truth in love (Matthew 5:14-16).
INCORRECT TYPES OF JUDGMENT
24 Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” - John 7:24
To answer before listening—that is folly and shame. - Proverbs 18:13
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” - Luke 7:36-50
SUPERFICIAL JUDGMENT Superficial judgment is when we make a value judgment on another based on sight. It is about gaining superiority over another. It is when we see a homeless person and judge that they are lazy, mentally ill, or perhaps don’t want to work. Or when we drive by a trailer park, or a bad neighborhood, or a type of business and make value judgments just on sight. We forget that judgment is reserved for God and we have no place making those calls. We shouldn’t assess the value of someone else without knowing the entire story. And even then we are called to show mercy and compassion, even in the light of knowing their faults and foibles.
HYPOCRITICAL JUDGMENT 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. - Matthew 6:2 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. - Matthew 6:2
2 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. - Romans 2:1
Hypocritical judgment is when we call out someone’e faults when we know we are guilty of the same, or when we seek praise over motive. It is our ability to make value judgments on others by devaluing them through our own greatness. Or we blindside our own faults and project them onto another. Hypocritical judgment is about elevation yourself.
HARSH JUDGMENT 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. - Titus 3:2
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. - Matthew 5:7 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. - Matthew 7:2
Harsh judgment is when we render judgment through anger or unforgiveness. It’s when we silence people through anger, not listening or giving grace, but judging through the lens of anger. It is about shutting down others.
SELF-RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” - James 4:6 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. - Proverbs 8:13
The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. - Proverbs 16:5
Self Righteous judgment is when we render judgment through moral superiority. When we feel we are a better Christian than others. When we know more and therefore are “higher” up the ladder than someone else. It is about moral superiority.
What character trait does all of these types of “incorrect” judgment have?
Pride Incorrect judgment is about pride in ourself, but correct judgment is about humility. These are polar opposite traits. In order to judge correctly thought, we need to move away from incorrect judgment (pride) and toward correct judgment (humility). But what is correct judgment?
Correct judgment always has a pure motive of helping someone who is struggling.
What does this look like?
STEP 1 Colossians 1:9 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,
DISCERNMENT Discernment is the first item we must have. This is knowing right from wrong. But how do we know right from wrong? The first place is to access the Holy Spirit. This is the spirit that dwells inside us. It is accomplished through prayer, reflection and listening. It is also done through studying the word. When prayer is married with study, over time we begin to build discernment. This is how we can assess, or judge, if someone is outside the truth. Then and only then can we make a judgment call as to their issue.
STEP 2 Acts 20:27-28 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
APPROACHING SOMEONE After we have discerned and we choose to approach someone, we must do so with the right motive. This is done with two things in mind:
First, we must do so having an understanding of the complete word of God and be able to express it. This doesn’t mean you must know the entire bible, but it does mean that you can’t cherry-pick ideas and verses that suit you to perhaps make your point. The fullness must be expressed, whether that means delivering hope or showing someone the errors.
Second, this must be delivered as a shepherd. This person is in your life for a reason and you have made a judgment on their behavior. Now, it is time to help them back into the fold through the word of God and your own special touch of care.
RESTORING SOMEONE 6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. - Galatians 6:1
In scripture, we are never told to beat the bible over someone’s head, shove it down their throat, or drawn them in a sea of religious fervor until they convert. It isn’t how God operates and it isn’t how we should either. The position of humility is important. If we are willing to take to chance to help restore someone, then we must do so in a gentle and loving manner. We too would appreciate that if we were on the other side of the line. You can probably remember times when people showed mercy to you and you were utterly grateful. Or maybe you were ashamed and a person slung an arm over you and said everything was going to be alright. That gentleness had a way of restoring our spirit as sinners.
SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. - Ephesians 4:15
Our motive should always be to speak the truth in love. This means that we need to have the right motive for approaching those we judge. It should always be about restoration.
The paradigm shift we need to make in our life is crucial and momentous. For too long we’ve been operating in incorrect judgment, taking the place of God and dealing out superficial, hypocritical, harsh, unforgiving and self- righteous judgment on others. It isn’t the way we should operate as Christians. We need to make the shift to correct judgment. Remember:
GOD IS THE ULTIMATE JUDGE MERCY IS SHOWN TO THE MERCIFUL JUDGMENT IS ABOUT RESTORATION
AUDIT YOUR JUDGMENT When operating in the world, see how many automatic judgment calls you make in a week. A day. An hour. You’ll realize that much of the time you are making value calls on others. Why? Because you’ve trained yourself to do so, and most likely, someone else helped you along the way. But you can change. By auditing the way you operate, asking for forgiveness and moving toward humility, we can change this behavior. Pray for humility and better judgment, work at it and you can begin to work that muscle so you are judging incorrectly less and judging correctly more.