To Judge Or Not To Judge…
I have been reading alot lately about people’s struggle with not wanting to ‘judge’ anyone, which is good stuff – but that’s not the real issue. The real struggle is their lack of the ability to discern true from false, good from evil, etc. Many people think that not condemning people or not acting hostile and judgmental means that we have been stripped of the ability to make value judgments on what is right and wrong! I find it so strange that people say things like ‘It’s not our place to judge whether people are christians or not’, really? How can you think that – let alone say it? Everything that the prophets and apostles and people of God have left for us in scripture is to help us be able to do just that. Please stop twisting words and ideas. And taking things out of context. It is so unwise.
Yes, of course, we shouldn’t ‘judge’ as in condemn anyone through our own human opinion and rules or decide who gets to be saved and who doesn’t. God is the Final Judge! The power that God has and that He gives his children, is to be able to see sin and evil for what it is – and where it is, to reject it totally, and yet remain steadfast in His Love for people. If you are a TRUE believer, someone who is sincerely governed by the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit, you will naturally be able to discern who is a follower of Christ and who isn’t. You will naturally be able to make value judgments. You will ‘know’ things that your own human mind did not come up with!
This idea that we are not in a position to ‘judge’ and should stay on the sidelines is at the heart of new age (demonic) philosophy. Yes – there is a time to act/step in, and Yes, there is a time not to.
We are surrounded by wolves in sheep’s clothing. We are surrounded by people wanting their cake while eating it as well! What is the solution? To be judgemental and harsh? Of course not! But is it to be accepting of watered down ‘church-ianity’? No!
How can you strike a balance? How can you have the precision to judge and act in perfect harmony with the true Will of God – in every unique situation? By getting really honest with yourself and God! Do you now have the Spirit of Truth in you? Are you being led by the Spirit? Are your beliefs, actions and outcomes in alignment with the Word Of God? Is the sincere prayer of your heart that you want God to mold you and make you more like his Son? See, the closer you are with Jesus, the more you start being able to ‘see’. The more you will naturally ‘know’ how to judge a situation.
So many christians ‘harm’ other christians by allowing them into their inner circle and fellowship, while knowing full well that person is not repentant and truly seeking Christ!
Instead they should be taking the time to ‘minister’ to these people OUTSIDE of the fellowship of true believers, to plant seeds and show them God’s kindness that leads to repentance but instead they mix it all in and actually act confused when their fellowship/church/group gets watered down!!
To me, this is obviously due to a lack of wisdom. A lack of willingness to learn and do things the right way. A lack of knowledge of the Will of God. Studying the Bible and trying to follow the principles in your own life while navigating through the ‘church’ will be meaningless and futile without real humility. Humility – to truly seek to know and do the Will of God! Are you humble enough in your heart to really say ‘Of myself I know nothing. Of myself I can do nothing. Of myself I am nothing’ that is the ingredient that most ‘christians’ I meet lack! Because if a person really owns those words, God Himself will reveal things to you, God Himself will give you access to His Heart and Wisdom and Knowledge and Power. An amazing trade!
xo…Layla
Recovered In Christ 