The Problem of Judging People (1)

By James Quansah, Pastor

ONE MORAL issue which is commonly discussed by both believers and unbelievers is judging people. Various speakers and writers have expressed divergent opinions about the issue thereby creating confusion in the minds of their hearers and readers. This is problematic. The focus of this article, therefore, is to state the biblical position on whether people should be judged or not.

A key verse of the New Testament which is often quoted in these discussions is found in Matthew 7:1-2. It reads, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” These are the words of Jesus Christ written specifically for His church.

In attempting to explain this verse, it is important to establish the fact that there are two groups of people living on the earth namely Christian believers and non-Christian believers. It is equally important that some questions are asked to ensure clarity. Now, does our Saviour say, here, that His disciples should not judge at all? Does He mean that Christian believers should not judge unbelievers or the sinful actions of fellow Christians?

Many have understood the words of Jesus Christ to mean that His disciples should not judge at all. In other words, they should avoid judging people. This is the reason many often say, “Thou shall not judge.” But when this view is maintained it would mean that Christ’s words contradict the words of Paul, a foundational apostle of Christ. Paul, inspired by the same Spirit who operated in the ministry of Jesus writes that Christians can judge themselves.

In one of his letters to the Corinthian Church, Paul judged a man who had committed a sexual sin to serve as a deterrent to other believers. The early apostles would not tolerate sin in the Church because they were always expectant of the second coming of Jesus Christ, and so they determined to live each day as if it were their last day.

They had no time for pampering stubborn believers, and postponing genuine salvation. They said, “Today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthian 6: 2, NLT). The KJV and other versions render it, “Now is the day of salvation.” Yes, salvation is now; it is not tomorrow. Let us read what Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church.

“I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you, something so evil that even the pagans don’t do it. I am told that you have a man in your church who is living in sin with his father’s wife” (1 Corinthians 5: 1, NLT).

This is the information Paul had heard from the Lord’s church in Corinth. Shall we call the one who informed Paul about the sin a gossip? No, not at all! The informant exposed wrongdoing in accordance with scripture (Ephesians 5: 11). A church member was having sex with his father’s wife. He was actually living in sin. On hearing this Paul did not call for a pastoral meeting to cover up the sinful act or defend the brother.

However, we are told that when Paul heard the news he got angry and condemned the act. In fact, he judged his fellow believer who had sinned, saying “I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing (1 Corinthians 5: 3).

Then Paul asked the Corinthian church, “…why haven’t you removed this man from your fellowship…you must cast this man out of the church and into Satan’s hands, so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself may be saved when the Lord returns” (1 Corinthians 5: 2- 5). Why did Paul say that the man who had committed a sin might be saved when Jesus returns? Because he knew that he might repent of his sin and be forgiven.

The apostle justified judging believers or ensuring church discipline, insisting in verse 6 that “if even one person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected”  Thus, he taught that unrepentant Christians should be removed from the church to promote purity. I did not write it. Paul wrote it by the Spirit of God to Christians. He did not write it to the Jews or unbelievers.

However, Paul says Christians should not judge non-Christians just as the Lord Jesus Christ also taught His disciples not to judge their fellow Jews who had not believed in the gospel. The church has no business judging or condemning unbelievers for their sins. But it has business judging its members who practice sin to promote purity until the Lord appears.

“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it is certainly YOUR JOB TO JUDGE THOSE INSIDE THE CHURCH who are sinning in these ways. God will judge those on the outside; but as the scriptures say, ‘You must remove the evil person from among you” (1 Corinthians 5: 12- 13, NLT).

In verse 9- 10, the Apostle spoke about the need for Christians not to associate with those who practice sin. He was not talking about unbelievers but believers. He said, “…I was not talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or who are greedy or are swindlers or idol worshippers. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that” (1 Corinthians 5: 10).

Clearly, both Jesus Christ and His servant, Paul, agree that followers of Christ must be judged, but avoid judging unbelievers. That is why Jesus Himself refrained from judging sinners, but welcomed them. The biblical truth is that sinners who are yet to become Christians should not be judged, criticized or condemned for their sins.

To be continued…