Shall we avoid pointing out sin, simply because someone might be offended, or for fear of being called judgmental?
When we as Christians must call out all sin for what it is, we simply state what God states clearly in His Word, and say that we agree with God, as though He really needs us to agree. God declares sin is always a choice. God is always correct. In Scripture, there are two types of judging:- Judgment, as in sentencing, done by God
- Judgment, as in discernment, done by us as Christians
Pointing out that something, anything is morally wrong to do and goes against God is not judging anyone; it is agreeing with what God said. It is not hate, because you lie to people you hate, you tell the truth to someone you love. The world has the two confused, and it is no accident.
Judgment by Christians
When you quote the verse "judge not, lest ye be judged", you simply take the verse out of its context and twist it to make it seem like it is applicable and, in the process, judge men for declaring sin; therefore you just judged my "judgment".
That is worldly Newspeak....a lie straight out of the pit of hell.... Who are you to judge my judging as wrong?
No place in Scripture does it teach we are not to look at the fruit, the actions of others and judge it. It tells us to look for wolves in sheep's clothing, bad fruit, to avoid the person who is a sinner, refuses to work, a fornicator, etc. NONE of that is possible without using judgment, discernment. ALL involve people and their actions. All involve our ability to discern from Scripture.
Opening your mouth to preach truth and declare visible unrighteousness and calling out sin is not judgment like sending them to hell. Neither is warning people about sin. We are told not to be tolerant of sin. Period. Matthew 5:20
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. How would you know if it exceeds it without judging? Luke 7:41-43
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Matthew 7:16-20
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
How can you be wary of them without using your own judgment to judge their fruits?
Matthew 18:15-17Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. We are to judge things people are doing from within the Church and not go to the world's courts and sue:
1 Corinthians 6:1-5
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
When Christians sue in open court, no one in the Church says a word. When they declare sin in the sanctuary, in the public, all of a sudden, we are wrong to do so. Paul says we are to do it at God's House first.
1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Why is he "judged of no man"? Because he is beyond reproach, not because he is not accountable to the brethren!
1 Corinthians 5:3-5For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Paul already judged............he asked them to pronounce and execute the sentence.
1 Corinthians 5:7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
You need to judge what is old leaven in order to purge it.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
John 7:24
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The Bereans prepared themselves to judge Paul's teachings
Acts 20:29-31For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
"Wolves in wool"......without discernment, there is no way to look under the wool to see if it is a sheep or a wolf.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
He should not waste three years preparing them to judge, only to have them be non-judgmental and allow grievous wolves enter in.
1 Corinthians 14:29
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. Titus 1, 1 Timothy 3 are all about qualifications for leadership. There is simply no way to determine fitness for leadership without proper judgment. Judge their deeds, warn the unruly: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. Church rebuked for allowing sin and not judging it by removal: Revelation 2:20
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
