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Does The Bible Really Say We Shouldn’t Judge?
Image source: Pixabay.com
Visit Google and type in the phrase “The Bible says not to ….” What do you think pops up first? It is the essence of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1:
“Judge not, that you be not judged.”
This is no surprise to most of us. We live in a culture that believes religion should be kept private and that absolute truth is negotiable — depending, of course, on your preferences. Practically, since we have no standard for truth, one is prevented from telling others if he/she is right or wrong. Is that really what Jesus meant in Matthew 7:1?:
Notice that Jesus didn’t say that we shouldn’t ever tell anyone he or she is wrong. In fact, Jesus spent His time on earth doing this very thing!
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Later in the same passage, in Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus makes a distinction between the broad and narrow way. He doesn’t say, “Oh, golly gee, whatever you want to do in life is cool with me. I am not going to judge you!” Instead, he says:
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
Source: http://www.offthegridnews.com/religion/does-the-bible-really-say-we-shouldnt-judge/
“…but he that believeth not is condemned *already…”
– John 3:18
“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain *from the foundation of the world…”
– from Rev 13
The KJV concordance uses words like elect, chosen, predestined, from the womb.
While salvation is by grace, not of works, and all have fallen short of perfection, while we should not cast judgment lightly, it is possible for someone to be irredeemable, and to show their true colors.
There is even a ceremonial way to judge, in New Testament times —
“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
– Mat 10:14, Mar 6:11, Luk 9:5, Act 13:51
As well as not judging people, over money and politics, we should not tolerate them, when they are incorrigible. The great commission is not a Ponzi scheme.
Some of us are gracious, to a fault, and sow seeds upon stony ground, cast pearls before swine, and use up our oil, like in the parable of the foolish virgins.