Are Christians Supposed To Judge From A Biblical Perspective?

Are Christians supposed to judge? Ever wondered about this? 

I am sure that like me, you have wondered about this a lot and reading through the Bible only seems to provide conflicting and confusing information right?

I echo your sentiments. But hold on tight as we both explore and try to answer this ageless question in the mind of most, if not all of us -Are Christians supposed to judge? 

What does the bible say about judging others?

The bible talks about judging from 2 different aspects. One is how we are not supposed to judge and the other is where it is acceptable for Christians to judge.

Matthew 7:1-5 

Matthew talks about the most common bible verses about judging others in response to the question Are Christians supposed to judge? 

The way he explains it is basically that as Christians we must first and foremost do unto others as we want them to do unto us. 

When we judge others then we must be ready to be judged, but when we desist from it then again, no one can judge us, except God obviously. 

So, when we think about judging, we must make sure that we are perfect in that area where we are judging others.

Not noticing the speck in your own eye implies that you are not perfect- which means that you are not in a position to judge.

Jesus’ example here is very clear in answering – Are Christians supposed to judge?

Before you take it upon yourself to judge others you must first ensure that your eye is clear, nothing is blocking your view of seeing the error of someone else ways.

But, when there is a speck in your eye, that means that you are not able to see clearly that fault that you are seeing in someone. So you are not equipped to call someone out until you are perfect.

So essentially, this bible verse about judging others says that we may judge, but only if we are perfect. Otherwise, we will also be judged for that fault or that area where we are lacking.

Bible says to judge righteously

Ok, so now that we have established that we may judge under certain conditions, how then must Christians judge?

What is the acceptable way to judge or how are we supposed to judge?

The bible says in this bible verse about judging others to judge righteously. Here in Leviticus, when God gave the Law to Moses, he said that when one judges, for whatever reason, it must be done in fairness.

When you have the opportunity to judge a case, base the verdict on facts not on the appearance, status, race, color, and any other issue that distinguishes people.

Most people tend to be harder on the poor or ignore them and treat them as second-class citizens while favoring the rich.

But God says not to look at the class. Do not be unjust or unfair when you judge. Do not show partiality to the poor and preference for the rich but judge all men as equals.

What does it mean to judge righteously?

It’s good to know that we can judge. But the bible says that we must judge righteously. So the question is that for Christians, what does it mean to judge righteously?

Judging out of love

This bible verse about judging others shows how we can judge righteously as Christians. Are Christians supposed to judge?- YES, but do it righteously. So let us take a look at the how??

Let’s take an example of a sister who falls into sin, and starts having affairs outside marriage. And we as non-judgmental sisters keep quiet. Because we think that the answer to the question Are Christians supposed to judge is NO.

But that is not love. The same way when a parent leaves their child misbehaving. And does not discipline them for fear of offending them. Girls, is that love to your child when you allow them to do drugs?

Is that the definition of being a cool and loving mum?

Obviously not. The bible also says spare the rod spoil the child. The same applies to leaving your fellow sister in sin.

But, dear sister, when you correct your sister and remind her of the dangers of what she is doing. Help get her delivered from that spirit of adultery you have helped her.

James says in this bible verse about judging others that when you judge, correct, and bring someone back to God. You would have saved that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of their sin.

When done out of love for that person, from a place of not wanting them destroyed then indeed the answer to that question of Are Christians supposed to judge will be YES.

So imagine this, since we are all in a quest of doing the Lord’s work- isn’t judging someone righteously doing the Lord’s work? 

Especially if it leads to the forgiveness of sin and being saved?

I would say that it is. And on that day, you surely will get a crown for all the backsliders that you brought back to Jesus!!

Judging gently and humbly

Paul in this bible verse about judging others also emphasizes another way of judging righteously and of helping restore those fellow believers who may have transgressed and wandered from the faith.

Paul says that when we see fellow believers going astray we must gently and humbly, in a non-condemning way help them get back to the faith.

The approach with which you use to judge someone may very well be the answer as to whether judging others is acceptable or not.

If you do it in a condescending, condemning way then indeed that is not godly. You are not perfect so please don’t try to appear as if you are better than that person.

Your task as a fellow believer is to help that fellow sister, come back to the faith gently. You can do this by sitting down with them and asking if they are struggling with something.

You may be surprised to learn that maybe it is a spirit that is making them do this and the only way is to cast that dirty thing out. Usually, when there are demonic influences, we completely lack control be it of lust, porn, lying, fear, and any sin we are doing.

So your role is to approach gently- which assists in having that person open up. If you condemn they will shut down and in the end, you have done more harm than good.

What does the bible say about condemning others?

The issue of condemning others is the basis of the reason why when people ask Are Christians supposed to judge, some say a firm NOO!!

Condemnation never helped anybody. 

When you condemn someone you appear as if you are better, holier, and superior to that person whom you are condemning.

But you and I both know that is not true.

The bible says if you say you have no sin you are a liar, the truth is not in you. We are all sinners so we must not condemn people. 

This bible verse about judging others answers the question What does the bible say about condemning others and highlights what the bible says about condemning others. When you condemn others, be sure to also receive your fair share of condemnation for those sins that you are committing.

It may not be the same sin that the other person is doing but whatever it is, you will also receive condemnation for every word of condemnation that proceeds from your mouth.

Like I said earlier, it’s OK to correct others who are falling away, but it must be done out of a place of love, gentleness, and good rapport.

This example of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery is a perfect answer to What the bible says about condemning others.

This woman had been caught in adultery and these people wanted to stone her- that is condemn and convict her.

Although Jesus was not condoning what she had done or giving her a free pass, he also knew that these people were ready to punish her for the sin they had caught her red-handed in.

But, Jesus being all-knowing knows that these men were also sinners. Their sin may not have been adultery and they may not have been caught red-handed but they were every bit as guilty of sin as this woman was.

So who are they to execute the judgment on this woman by condemning her when no one has executed judgment on the same they had also obviously committed.

So when Jesus asked them, as a sequel to that earlier bible verse about judging others that say, condemn not and you will not be condemned, he asked them who was sinless among them.

If there was, then that person had the right to condemn that woman to death. But if not then they had no right to condemn her to death by stoning.

And we both know that they ALL dropped their stones, turned back, and left.

Do we have the right to judge others?

The question of Are Christians supposed to judge? And Do we have the right to judge others are the same in my opinion?

The most comprehensive response to both of these questions lies in this bible verse about judging others that Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 6:1-20 

Study and breakdown of the chapter

So here Paul is talking to the church in Corinth and the way that they are handling their civil, and personal, (lawsuits dealing with matters of this life, the AMP says in v4).

Are Christians supposed to judge? Yes, Paul says. Do we have the right to judge others? He also agrees that as believers we must and have the right to judge others, but the other refers to fellow believers.

Paul says that if there are issues, grievances, and disagreements among believers. Instead of going to civil court to get the matter settled either by mediators or arbitrators. The issue must be taken to church instead of involving unbelievers in your issues.

Paul tells us that we will one day judge angels so surely we are well equipped to judge and resolve these petty disputes in this life. Honestly, if we will judge the whole world, including angels which the bible says God created us to be a little lower than. Then indeed we will be having a place of authority.

And that authority will not only begin at that time, but it already is in us right now. So if we can one day judge angels then surely judging each other in this world is child’s play.

Who can judge in the bible

So there you have it. Christians are allowed to and have the right to judge other believers. But not unbelievers. Who then can judge in the bible?

Paul goes on to explain that we are only allowed to judge believers. We have a right to judge fellow Christians but not unbelievers. Where those are concerned we must let them be.

Who are we to judge

This bible verse about judging others answers the question of who are we to judge?

If we judge ourselves first, correct ourselves, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our lives into Christlikeness then we would not need to be judged.

Earlier we read that when you judge others you will also be judged but you must first remove the speck in your eye. 

So judging ourselves in this case is removing the speck in your eye. It is assessing your own life and seeing all those things that do not align with the word of God and working on those.

We must be our greatest critics, our greatest judges, and strive to always live a consecrated life that is free from carnality and exuberates holiness and true righteousness.