"F.A.Q. (Frequently Avoided Questions): Is It Right to Judge?
Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:37-42
What Does Scripture Say . . .?
- Self-righteous judgment
- Self-righteous judgment is when I look beyond my faults and flaws to expose and criticize your faults and flaws. (Matthew 7:1-4; Luke 18:9-14; John 8:1-11)
- Harsh
- Destructive
- Exaggerated
- Self-righteous judgment is often an attempt to divert attention from our personal faults and flaws.
- Godly judgment and discernment
- Godly judgment and discernment is to love you enough to address, with humility and gentleness, that which is not consistent with the faith you profess to possess. (Matthew 7:15-21; 2 Samuel 12:1-14)
- Speaks truth with grace. (Matthew 18:15-17; Ephesians 4:15)
- Exalts God's call to holiness without an attitude of "holier than you." (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
- Addresses with Christ-like humility. (Matthew 7:5)
- I willingly admit and deal with the sin in my life before addressing the sin in your life.
- Seeks to build up, not destroy a person.
- Displays gentleness. (Galatians 6:1)
Receiving Correction With Grace . . .
- Be receptive and teachable. (Proverbs 27:6)
- Am I willing to be held accountable and discipled?
- Am I willing to let others I trust speak into my life?
- Consider with brutal honesty what is spoken.
- Accept the truth and correction as God's gift of grace.
- Am I receiving this as God's desire to make me more like Christ?
