judging others

Judge Rightly

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”   John 7:24

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The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 1 Corinthians 2:15

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Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!  1 Corinthians 6:3

These past several weeks, I have become aware of a misconception some of us in the Lord are making. The idea that we are not to judge anyone. Most often someone takes Luke 6:37 or Matthew 7:1 without applying context into the Scripture.

These two Scriptures emphasize the standard of measurement you use when judging others. That we are to be aware of our words and refrain from being hypocritical. It does not mean we are not to judge others, but be cautious how we are to judge.

As Christ-followers, we are instructed to judge under the rule of God’s Kingdom. As the apostle Paul writes in 1st Corinthians, we are being prepared to judge angels in the new age to come. This life is the training ground of learning how to judge rightly.

In fact, whenever someone states we are not to judge, isn’t that a judgement statement?

How are you to determine if the fruit of the tree is good to eat or not? Are you not making a judgement?

Are you not judging when the car in front of you is swerving between lanes? You don’t know if the person is drunk, in the middle of a medical emergency, or trying to text while driving. Yet don’t you exercise caution in the situation?

When you interview a job candidate, are you not prejudging them?

When hiring a company to mow your lawn, are you not making a judgement on their work and ability to perform?

When you vote for a political candidate, are you not making a judgement?

We are making judgements all day long. The question is what criteria are we using as our basis.

As Christ-followers, we are students of HIS Kingdom. We are learning to govern ourselves and others HIS way. To do so means we need to know HIS heart and words on the matter. So yes, this is another reason to study the Bible.

For this life is a learning process preparing one for eternity with Jesus. One of the traits we all need to learn is how to judge rightly. It begins with walking with King Jesus. As we walk with HIM, communicate with HIM, and share life with HIM, HIS ways rub off on us. As we stray from HIM, we are disciplined. We learn how love and justice is applied. As we support HIM, we enjoy the righteous fruit of HIS Kingdom. As we study HIS ways and apply them, we grow in the faith. We gain wisdom along the way and grow spiritually mature. This is how we learn to judge from God’s perspective. We learn to judge not by our standards but based on the righteousness of Jesus.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Are You to Judge?

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

“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

Occasionally, I come across people who believe one is not to judge another. My reply always is why not? What is the basis of your conclusion? Could it be you hear sermon messages sometimes without understanding their full meaning?

When it comes to judging others, most preachers are probably referring to Matthew 7. Here Jesus did say judge not. But that is not the entire context of his statement. He also said that you will be measured by the same standards you judge others by. So if the standard is an imperfect you, than you have a problem. You may be a hypocrite. For do you live up to the same righteous standard you are judging others with?

His overall teaching is when you judge another, you better have the right standard. In fact you are to judge others based on God’s righteousness (James 2:12). But be careful. Are you being a hypocrite and not living up to God’s same standard?

The apostle Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 6:1-2 that we will judge angels and the world at the end time. Jesus tells us in John 7:24 to judge others not by their appearance (wealth, status, etc.), but with right standards. In fact, in John 12:47-48 even Jesus said at the end time HE will not judge others. But the words HE is teaching will condemn those who do not live by them. In other words, we will hang ourselves by rebelling against HIS teachings. Our own actions will judge us.

Proverbs 31:9 reminds us to judge defending the rights of the poor and needy. Even the early nation Israel was instructed to show no partiality in judging people. (Lev. 19:15). But humans are prone to evil. In the prophet Micah’s time, judges were taking bribes and corrupting society. (Micah 7:3). Evil needs to be confronted. Without wise judgement, societies will collapse.

What is reassuring about Paul’s statement (1 Corinthians 2:15) that a person in Christ judges all things? Because their discernment follows the lead of the Holy Spirit. They are not concern with people judging them. Their Judge is the Lord. They realize HE will correct them. HE will discipline them. (1 Corinthians 11:32). As stewards of His Kingdom on earth, we live under HIS authority. We need to be mindful that one day God will judge our secrets (Romans 2:16). HE is the final judge. (Isaiah 33:22).

Apostle John wrote in Revelations (5:10) that today’s saints are to reign with Jesus in the new heaven and earth. One function of a leader is making wise decisions. So to refrain from making a judgement call is failing to learn what one will be doing for eternity. Instead, we need to integrate God’s Spirit into all the decisions we make every day. We need to exercise the faith HE has given us. We need to build upon HIS Word. Then we can be train to make wise judgements now in preparation for eternity.

You are now being trained to lead and serve others on behalf of God’s Kingdom. So don’t hesitate to judge others. Instead allow God’s Spirit to lead you. Learn to exercise the fundamental teachings of the Bible. Follow the golden rule.

The real question – are you willing to accept the same standard of judgement that you give? Or do you judge others on a higher standard than you judge yourself? Let Jesus be your standard. Answer to HIM. Allow the Holy Spirit to inspire and encourage you. You will than find your judgements to be wiser and more prudent. In fact, you may even find yourself thinking of starting a new career – as a Judge.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Do You Trust Your Obedience or Christ?

Dr. Mike Jesus Apprentice, Kingdom Paradigms , ,
Luke 18:9-14 ESV.

He (Jesus) also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.

Sometimes, if not most of the time, we catch our self judging others based on their outward performance and not coming to know their heart.

Jesus in this parable showcases the problem. These two men, a religious Pharisee and an unwelcome tax collector are in the temple to pray. The tax collector is non-welcoming because the people looked upon them as robbing their hard-earned money. On the other side, the Pharisee established the cultural, religious standard most people believed were living the way God intended.

As the parable highlights, the Pharisee prayed lifting himself up before God while the tax collector humbled himself. The Pharisee focused his opinion on himself before God by reiterating all the activity he does. He stresses his obedience to the law and compares his actions against others. In his eyes he is better than the others; better because he doesn’t do sinful acts; better because he performs religious activities expected of him. He emphasizes his obedience to prove himself more righteous than others.

On the other hand, the tax collector doesn’t look at himself and his actions. Instead he focuses outward toward God and places the emphasis on His mercy and not his personal actions. Jesus concluded the tax collector’ actions were better off than the Pharisee’s self promotion.

Bottom-line: It’s about Jesus Christ and not what we do. He clothes us with His righteousness and His actions justify us. We simple do what is expected of us as children of the living God. We don’t emphasize our obedience, our faith, nor our acts of service. Instead we place the entire focus on Jesus Christ who makes everything possible. He is our Priest, Savior, and Rabbi. We are his apprentice. He is the master, we are the student. His life, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven has made this all possible.

We don’t emphasize our obedience. Instead we highlight and showcase Jesus Christ.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

*  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
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*  Simply The Messenger
*  Unequally Married

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