There are some who believe and feel within the Christian communities that we are not to judge other beliefs or faith. When something is said about someone’s beliefs or faith, the retort given is “we cannot judge them”. This can be especially disconcerting when the matter at hand has to do with determining the value or truth of another person’s faith or beliefs. It seems by this, that nothing can be said or determined in order to avert false beliefs and false faiths, that we would then, by this restriction of not judging another, would likely have to accept false beliefs or faiths.
It is true, in the Bible, that we are to be careful about judging one another, as per Romans 2:1, but this passage does not prohibit judgement, it clarifies bad judgment. In Romans 2:1, Paul is speaking to the Romans and as anyone should see, the context which Paul is addressing are bad judgments from wicked people. In another part of the Bible, John 7:24, we are to make righteous judgment. So what of this concern by some that we are not to judge the faith or beliefs of another? In particular, if these faiths or beliefs are subject of condemnation?
The idea or philosophy that we are not to judge others because that belongs to God, goes against the Bible itself. The dilemma occurs when a person fails to understand the scriptures and what God has really done in what he has revealed to us. Poor interpretation, poor understanding, abiding in false doctrines or personal philosophies cannot and will not allow that person to properly understand the word of God, his gospel and what God has given as his will through revelation.
This shortcoming of many, both in and out of the Church, causes many to falter and fall from faith and even fail a good relationship with God. Failing in a good relationship with God occurs when a person falls to false beliefs, doctrines or personal philosophies that are of the world and because of these things, a relationship of God is affected and diminished (John 8:47), all because that person is not able to exercise God’s judgments against false beliefs, doctrines, philosophies and ideas!
Exercise God’s judgments? Am I truly saying we are to exercise his judgments? The answer is “YES”, we are each obligated to exercise God’s judgement because his judgement is his will.
In the scriptures, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the word of God, the “judgement has already been made”. Since it has already been made, we are not judging another when discerning the beliefs and faith of another in order we ensure we are not misled. To do this is an act of faith for ourselves. God has already imposed his judgment on many things and we are to operate within his judgment in order to be spiritually safe.
Do you have a hard time believing this? Well, look at the following passages from the Bible (King James Version),
- Matthew 12:37: – For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
- John 3:18–19 – (18): He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (19): And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
- Jude 1:4 – For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Mark 16:16 – He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
- Romans 14:23 – And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:12 – That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
These are only a few of the passages from the scriptures. There are certainly more. In these passages the word “condemned or damned” are used to denote the outcome of certain things. If God had not yet exercised judgment, none of these things would exist in the scriptures. In order that a certain thing be condemned, a judgment must be made by God, for God cannot condemn unless he has judged it so. Since there is already a judgment made, that means we are tasked with the responsibility to ensure we abide in or carry out his judgments.
How is this possible you ask?
To carry out his judgments says we are to NOT do any of these things that will automatically bring condemnation, for example in Romans 14:23. We are to do things that we are required to do, in order we do not suffer automatic condemnation, for example Mark 16:16. The atonement and sacrifice by Jesus Christ will not save any person who commits or does things that brings condemnation and fails to repent and change their ways. That is the power of free will and choice. The atonement or salvation does not override free will. There is no benefit from the atonement, other than the free resurrection, to any person if he/she fails to carry out any requirement set out by God and any failure or refusal to abide in those requirements will also bring automatic condemnation. This is because God has already set down his judgement of condemnation upon many things. The “judgment has already been made!”
How does this apply to judging others?
Consider, to review the beliefs or faith of another person to see if that person has fallen into any one of the things condemned by God. It is right to discern this and take note for oneself so as to avoid the error the other has or is committing. In other words, not to get caught up into it. Yet, it is not right to go out and announce to each person they are sinners as some self-professed Christians do, but to see and discern what is sin and what is not is righteous because that is carrying out God’s judgments to ensure that you, your family and those under your care are not misled or fooled. In this, judgement is good and righteous because you do not impose judgment on others, but judge things of others to ensure you and those with you do not fall into the same condemnation.
“Be ye careful”, as Jesus would say, because to make any false judgments or err in judgment may cause further sin (see Romans 14:23 above). This is what Romans 2:1 talks about, the judgment of things that you do yourself. Righteous judgment is a skill, not just a right. It carries a serious responsibility that each of us will make an account to God. A Paul the Apostle said, “the natural man cannot know these things because they are spiritually discerned” (see 1 Corinthians 2:14). Can you spiritually discern the works or words of another? Spiritual discernment, as a note to many, is not matching letter of the word for letter of the word. It is taught that the letter is death, only the spiritual word gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:6 ; John 6:63). It is quite a skill to learn.
The judgment has already been made, abide in it and exercise it for your salvation in a spiritual way, that of a spiritual mind not a carnal mind.
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