Judgementalism

I recently finished a book on church history and it astounding me how the movements of God were often met with judgement. Christ was doing new things from Catholicism to Charismaticism, but pointing the finger always followed. Rather than use churches as examples, let me get to a simple point. The whole church, which includes every Trinitarian denomination from High Church to Spirit Filled has been guilty of judgementalism. But rather than say who is guilty of what, I would rather stress that we have all "fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23).

Jesus Christ said, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged.  For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:1-3). Our God and Savior was trying to teach us something so important. We have brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world. Every race, nationality, ethnic group, and class of person who is Christian is our family. This family should not be torn down or judged because of differences.

The temptation to judge is from Satan. We have no idea what methods, and ideologies a brother or sister was raised with. Those ideas and methods may even bless us! We have no idea what hardships, broken heartedness, and other hindrances have come against our family of faith around the globe; we cannot judge them because only they know how close to Christ they are, if they are doing His will or not, and how faithful they have been to the Kingdom of Heaven While correction and reproof are Biblical (2 Timothy 3:16), I think we error on the side of being the Judge, Jury, and Executioner, rather than the concerned prophet and loving corrector of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The truth is that many in church want someone to crucify or to bring down so that we feel better about ourselves. Our own pride and self worth becomes more than the worth of a brother and sister in Christ's reputation, feelings, and care. It is appalling how judgementalism stems from our own obessession with our individual esteem and image. Believers speak in "I" language these days, when the Believers in the Bible all the way to the 1800s spoke in "We or Us" language. The temptation to pass judgment becomes a façade or mask to hide the shameful behaviors people are practicing or the skeletons  they carry that are deserving of judgment. Often those who are shouting "crucify him!" are more worthy of condemnation, and yet Jesus said to those who crucified Him, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34).

The Apostle Paul said on passing judgment on a brother or sister this: "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things," (Romans 2:1), "You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat," (Romans 14:10), "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister," (Romans 14:13), and finally, "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5).

The last verse is striking. 1 Corinthians 4:5 convicts. It is in effect saying let the Lord judge people when He returns. Only He can bring "to light what is hidden in darkness and can expose the motives of heart." We can never know the true heart intent of brother or sister from their tone, reaction, actions, behavior, and so forth. Some people do not want to ever shout, but they do shout under great antagonism and fear. We need to be careful of taking Christ's seat of Judgment, we do not know the full story of what is happening in one of his servants and fellow sister or brother. At the same time there is the balance of correcting, for Paul said, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?" (1 Corinthians 5:12). In this case I infer that Paul is talking about judging wicked behavior that can harm the church; but we are not to judge the motives, intentions, or work a brother or sister is doing for Christ when it meets standards of Scripture.

As Christians we are called to correct and reprove. Scripture says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.." (2 Timothy 2:16), and "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." (2 Timothy 4:2), "These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you." (Titus 2:15). However, we are to do this in love! For another Scripture says, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." (Ephesians 4:5). When we correct it should be to help people grow and mature in Christ our Savior, not be condemned. If you use prophecy and Words of Knowledge to speak conviction into a brother or sister's life, that is in harmony with the Word of God. But if you speak condescending and cruel words to cut down a fellow Christian then you are in error. Motive matters in our judgments, there are times to correct and reprove; but it must be down with the right spirit; the Holy Spirit. There are times to speak bluntly and even sternly towards the saints; as Jeremiah did and even our God Jesus Christ did to the Pharisees, calling them, "you snakes and brood of vipers! How shall you escape the condemnation of hell?!" (Matthew 23:3). Jesus Christ said these words to shake the hardened religious hearts of the Pharisees, and besides Jesus is God and so He has the right to judge anyone!

The Prince of Peace and The Prophets corrected and judged from the Lord's Word. They proclaimed the Truth. We must do the same, but avoid the judgementalism that seeks only to tear people down and nitpick every detail of those people we have problems with. It is fine to discipline, but not to disparage someone's reputation. Remember what Jesus said, "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." (Matthew 18:15).