from http://theblazingcenter.com/2017/11/judge-not.html


It’s one of the most misused, misquoted, misunderstood verses in the Bible. When someone wants to justify their life choices to you, they pull out their trump card, “Judge not, lest ye be judged!”

Then they drop the mic…

…expecting you to immediately embrace the fact that they want to get divorced, have an affair, be a man, be a woman, be a goat, marry a goat, sell goats…whatever.


Jesus immediately goes on to say:

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. (Matthew 7:1-2)

Notice the reason Jesus warns against judgment. The danger in passing judgment on someone is that we’ll have our own standard come back to haunt us, like the spirit of judgments past.

When I condemn someone’s behavior, whether it’s blatantly sinful or just different than my own, I almost NEVER use the proper standard of judgment. I pass judgment according to my own strengths and opinions.

For example, take the issue of gluttony. Because of my DNA (I’ve inherited awkward skinniness), gluttony has never been a huge issue for me. Plus, I don’t gravitate toward things like stress eating (I cope in other sinful ways).

When I see someone who struggles with overeating, I project myself onto them. I immediately assume that they are sinning, they lack self-control, and that all they need is a bit more discipline.

This is complete sinful nonsense.

When God evaluates that person, he takes into account everything about that person – their biology, sinful tendencies, weaknesses, family history, current struggles, and a thousand other factors. God’s judgment is perfectly just, my judgment is terribly skewed. Without omniscience, all my judgments are going to be off kilter.

For all I know, the person who struggles with gluttony may not actually be sinning in gluttony. They may not overeat at all, but because of their unique body makeup, can’t lose weight. Or, they may have been neglected as a child and use food as a coping mechanism. I’ve never experienced anything like this.

To be clear, I’m not saying that sin is relative. Sin is sin, no matter what the circumstances. But when God judges a person, his judgment flows out of his omniscience. That’s why it’s perfect.

When I pass judgment on a person, I’m doing so based on really, really, really limited knowledge. So often I’m blind.

But there’s a massive difference between judging arrogantly and judging with humility.

Arrogant judgment says, “What a despicable, vile, weak person.”

Humble judgement says, “Apart from the redemption of Christ, I’d be joining them, and apart from God, I would lose my salvation. ”

Arrogant judgment says, “I would never do something like that.”

Humble judgment says, “Though I may not struggle like they do, I sin in 10,000 other ways.”

Arrogant judgment says, “I’m better than them.”

Humble judgment says, “We both need Christ.”

Jesus said, “Judge not lest ye be judged,” as a gracious warning. If I start playing judge, jury, and executioner to people, I’m going to find myself on the business end of my own standard. That’s a frightening prospect.

The Gift of Discernment is all about judging.

When someone talks to you, Discernment allows you to understand if they are lying or being truthful.

If someone is an evil person, Discernment allows you to feel they are evil.

If someone is suffering from Psychological Disorders, Discernment allows you to see the person for who they really are, and what they are trying to hide by overcompensating.

If someone has bad intentions, Discernment is like a red flag flashing to let you know this person is trouble.
^
In every scenario I mentioned, Discernment is judging every second, every situation, every person.

Discernment is to protect!!

Only someone weak, mentally ill, hiding something, has ill intentions will toss the "Do not Judge" card. Everyone else wants to be judged, because in reality, being judged is the best way to learn and grow!!