I see the bible being quoted a lot, but do we actually understand what we are reading? Are we getting the correct understanding? I think the biggest misconception that I have ever seen is Mathew c 7:v 1. Judge not, that ye be not judged. Upon reading this we all have thought the same thoughts, how can we go through life without judging other people? We have to judge our politicians to elect them or not, our friends as whether to keep their company or not. We wouldn't want to be best friends with Jeffery Dahmer would we? So, what does all this mean? First we must define the word "judge" in order to get the correct meaning of how it is used in that particular scripture. Here, the Greek word for "judge" is krino, meaning to condemn, avenge, damn, sentence, or levy a punishment. We all tend to dine "judge" personally as to evaluate in these modern times, not to condemn. Christ plainly says that if we condemn others, we will be condemned ourselves. Dangerous territory indeed! But what about evaluation without condemnation? Though it is certainly hazardous to evaluate the problems or sins of others, the context answers the question of whether we are to do so. We are to judge and in every aspect of life, as other scriptures show. Christ continues His thought, in context, by showing that we are to evaluate the deeds of others, but to be very careful with our judgments. We should consider our weaknesses and sins very carefully, to the point of overcoming them, before we make harsh judgments on others. How can we condemn someone else when we may have even bigger problems? He instructs us to remove the hypocrisy and then we can help our brother with his difficulties.
Amos 5:14-15King James Version (KJV)
14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.
15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
How can you hate the evil and love the good if you refuse to judge (evaluate)? You can't. You are SINNING when you refuse to judge (evaluate). We are not the ones who, condemn, punish, or label. That is for God to do, just like vengeance, and glory, it is ALL his. But however, we must evaluate to know and be aware of what we are encountering in life.
Our generation is well described in Isaiah 59:8: "The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace." People have refused to judge, so there is no peace.
There are many other scriptures that clear up the question as to whether judgement (evaluation of another) is a sin or not. If one wants to know badly enough they will find loads of fine examples that show us that if we do not evaluate, then we are sinning ourselves. It is what we do after our personal evaluation that makes us right or wrong in our actions. Remember what Jesus taught us all. Love our enemy, and our neighbor as we want to be loved. You can know that they are wrong without condemnation, you can love them as a creation of God without sinning. Their personal strife to find God their own way is their own business, not ours. If they ask your opinion, then they have to be able to handle your opinion. I think the word "humble" might be the best medicine.
