Join Me in Judging Others

Much is made about judging others. In this era of' 'tolerance,' we're told not to judge others. Usually, this admonition comes from politicians, academics, and would-be postmodern philosophers who aren't sure about much except that they judge everyone who disagrees with them as misguided or wrong.

I judge people and so should you. Why? When we tell people not to judge we are hypocritical. Educators judge academic performance every day in classrooms around the globe. Employers evaluate employee job performance and hand out raises or pink slips. We judge character when we choose our friends. We rate TV Shows, films and pass judgement on politicians at the polls. We watch and seek to influence who our children play with or date---that's right, as we pass judgement.

Think with me on this. Someone knocks at your door at 2 AM. You look out throw the peephole in your front door. You see a stranger standing there with a bloody knife. Will you through the door open indiscriminately or keep it locked? Will you consider dialing 911? You're judging.

Even Jesus Christ taught His disciples to judge. I know. You're about to tell me just the opposite incorrectly and misguidedly citing that helpful passage so many take out of context "Judge not lest ye be also judged ..." "Hypocrite first take the log out of your own eye..." Here's your problem (and the problem of at least one 90 something professing Christian politician who talks about the Bible but likely hasn't studied it: Matthew 7 is all about judging and how to judge (evaluate) people and things in the right fashion.

Matthew 7:1-5 warns not to judge hypocritically. We are to examine our own motives and habits first before we quickly examine or evaluate those of others. Then in verse 6 Jesus warns about giving holy things to dogs and swine, a metaphor for those who only profess interest but will quickly turn on you. Think critically now: you have to judge people to identify dogs and swine. In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus tells you to judge yourself. Are you inclined to take the hard way (i.e. right way), or go with the crowd (i.e. the narrow gate or the wide and popular path)?

Then Jesus tells us how to judge those who claim to be one thing when they are in fact another (His discussion of wolves in sheeps clothing in vv. 15-20). He tells us to look beyond their claims and judge their actions (v. 20). In verses 21-23 Jesus tells us how to judge real-deal Christ followers. Again, it's not what they claim to be that matters (v. 21). It's not even religious activity that helps you identify them (v. 22). They are not "saved" by feelings or "works" but by their faith-driven devotion to God (v. 21b). Anyone can claim to be religious. Anyone can act religious. But constant devotion to God reveals the heart condition, long term---going back to evaluating actions, long term (by their fruits you will know them).

Thinking I'm reading too much into what Jesus is saying. Well, elsewhere in John's Gospel (John 7:24), Jesus commands us to judge not by first impressions but by righteous judgement. Whether or not you and I can agree on what righteous judgement is, it's clear Jesus is not forbidding judgement. But just for the record, in the larger context of John 7, Jesus is saying that His miracles speak volumes about who He is and to judge Him by His miracles (i.e. by His fruit).

Judging is Christian. Christian are to judge themselves and others who claim to be Christians, leaving God to judge outsiders. The Holy Spirit, speaking through the pen of the Apostle Paul puts it this way: "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges." (1Corinthians 5:12-13)

Join me in judging others. It's okay as long as we do so carefully. In the meantime, regardless of your reaction to this post, know that you have judged me as you read it. So be honest. Judging is okay and everyone does it anyway. Judging isn't bad. Judging unrighteously is wrong.