Is it right for a Christian to judge others?

Is it right for a Christian to judge others?

If ever there is a scripture that is grossly misunderstood, it is Matthew 7:1. “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” The reason for this misunderstanding is not far fetched. First, it is the wish of Satan and its agents that we are denied the knowledge of truth about God. It is owing to the lack of the knowledge of God that men are destroyed through the many traps of Satan. (Hosea 4:6). Satan is aware that truth will help set us free from the bondage of ignorance and sin. (John 8:32).

Many Christians would hurriedly quote Matthew 7:1 each time they are confronted with their errors, omissions, or commissions. They believe that only God has right to correct them or point out their errors. This is not true. Let us attempt to define what to “judge” means. According to the definition of Cambridge Advanced Learner’s dictionary, to judge is, “to form, give or have as an opinion or to decide about something or someone especially after thinking carefully.” It also defines a judge as, “A person who has the knowledge to give an opinion about something or is able to decide whether something is good.” How do we reconcile this with Matthew 7:1?

For reasons closely linked to the wide acceptance of Biblical teachings, most people try to validate their actions with scriptures in the Bible. In most cases, their reference to scriptures does not interpret the mind of God. Take for instance someone who justifies polygamy because King Solomon had many wives and concubines. There are people who defend their feat of anger with reference to Jesus cursing the fig tree as recorded in Matthew 21:18-19. The Bible must not be read upside down. God is a spirit and we must be spiritual to understand His mind. This was the reason why Jesus recommended that we “worship God in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24). What then is the truth about Matthew 7:1?

Truth is one the pillars of Christianity. Although, it is bitter, Christians are expected to stand by the truth no matter the consequences or situation. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul enjoined Timothy and other brethren to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” As Christians, we cannot reprove, rebuke, or exhort without saying the truth. In saying the truth, we would definitely be forced to make judgments. Nevertheless, we are cautioned to judge with wisdom and humility. See also Titus 1:13: “This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.”

In saying, “Judge not, that ye be not judged”, Christ had a good intention. This is hidden in verse 2 of the same chapter. Unfortunately, supporters of “Judge not, that ye be not judged” are too busy to even recognize this. It says, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Jesus Christ in His infinite wisdom was only saying: “Practice what you preach.” This opinion is confirmed in Mathew 7:3-5. “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.”

In Jesus’ opinion, a thief should not accuse another of stealing. A corrupt person should not point accusing fingers at another man that has stolen public funds. A fornicator has no right to counsel others against fornication. Only upright people have the right to criticize or correct others. How will you feel if someone who committed the same offense with you is asked to sit in judgment against you? In making criticisms or corrections, we must be humble and having a genuine intention to save the person from harm. In many cases, people make criticism in order to humiliate others. This is not in line with God’s principle.       

How to build our faith in God

The foundation of the Christian faith is built on the unshakable belief that God is Supreme, creator of Heaven and Earth, owner of lives, and has the final say in the affairs of men and society. Without these convictions, our faith will be as helpless as a cup of ice cream under the heat of a scorching sun. Despite this fact, most Christians still lack faith in God. How then can we build our faith?

In Hebrew 11:1, the Bible describes faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In order words, faith is the currency we use in paying to own the future we desire. God is the owner of wealth. He does not need our money.

According to Romans 10:17, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” It means that we must be ready to listen and accept the word of God. A Christian that is desirous of building his or her faith must accept wholeheartedly that the Bible is the mind of God and is sure to give perfect direction. Psalms 119:105 quotes the Psalmist as confessing that, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The world will be a better place if we follow the mind of God as contained in the Bible. See Leviticus 26:3-12.

Instead of listening to the mind of God, many Christians, especially in Africa see the Bible as a mere literature used as tool of colonization by European nations. This argument is false. Millions of Africans have through the Bible been freed from the burden of ignorance and guilt of sin.

It is the desire of every genuine Christian to please God. This is one sure way we can win God’s heart and secure the license to benefit from Matthew 7:7. The Bible says in Hebrew 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” One cannot understand why Christians would expect God to answer their prayers when they have not done enough to please Him. Lack of faith has forced many people to leave God’s presence in search of blessings and protection from lesser gods and witch doctors.

One fundamental factor associated with building faith is humility. It takes a great amount of humility for someone to rely on an invisible Being called God. Pride and arrogance have caused many to ignore the awesome personality of God. Most rich people are blinded by their possessions and influence. They therefore despise God to trust and rely on their wealth. No wonder, Jesus said in Matthew 19:23-24, “Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

As part of ways to build our faith, we must endeavour to trust in the infinite abilities of God. We can trust God if only we appreciate who He really is. In 1 John 4:8, the Bible says, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” Furthermore, the book of Numbers 23:19 has a record that, “God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it?  Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” If as Christians, we truly believe these scriptures, why should we continue to doubt God’s ability and promises in the Bible and what He says through His servants? “Doubt” is one of the weapons Satan uses to weaken the faith of believers.

In John 20:29, Jesus said, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” God is not a man. Like Thomas Didymus, we have refused to see God as God. This is one reason why it has been difficult for many to trust Him. How will you feel if your child acts in manners that betray a total lack of confidence in you? Appreciation or disappointment? Your answer is exactly how God feel about our unbelief in His ability to bless and protect us. 

Finally, we can also develop our faith by listening to the testimonies of other brethren. The work of God in the lives of our family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors can help us develop confidence in God and thereby strengthen our faith.