"These [in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." - Acts 17:11

(10) You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat.

New International Version copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

The very fact that we are sinning human beings under judgment disqualifies us from judging. Our manner of life in the past has so perverted our judgment that we are incapable of judging with the fairness of God. Our judgment is too subjective to be fair, too influenced by our own experiences to consider all the nuances of another's life to judge without prejudice. Not until after we have lived a life of overcoming and are rid of this body and mind of flesh will we be in a position to judge the lives of others.

Since we are obviously empowered to judge between right and wrong and commanded to choose the right even when evaluating the conduct of others, the judging that God forbids is the passing of judgment against another. In other words, God forbids the handing down of a sentence. It is one thing to call a spade a spade and decide that such an act is evil, but to condemn the person as evil, implying incorrigibility, is stepping into the minefield.

— John W. Ritenbaugh

To learn more, see:
Judging Our Brothers



 

Topics:

God's Fairness

God's Justice

Judging

Judging Others

Judging Ourselves

Judging Self

Judgment, Distorted




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