Who Am I To Judge?

Biblegems #122

Question: Is it biblically correct when people say, ‘It’s not our place to judge others, only God should judge’ — or are there times when it is right for us to judge others?

        

 To “judge” in English carries a variety of meanings. Usually we mean passing judgment, determining right from wrong. This is also the way “judge” is typically used in the Bible:

Genesis 16:5 “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my servant in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the LORD judge between you and me.”

The Hebrew word Sarai uses for “judge” is “qal,” which means to “act as law-giver, judge, governor (giving law, deciding controversies and executing law, civil, religious, political, social…”

The New Testament Greek equivalent is “krinw:”

         Matt. 7:1-2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  

People often take this saying in Matthew out of context when they say, ‘You have no right to judge me.’ But “Do not judge” means in this context, “don’t be judgmental,” because one day we will want God to show mercy toward us:

         1 Pet. 4:5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

The truth is, it is absolutely biblical and necessary for people to judge right and wrong behavior in others.  It is not, however, always appropriate for us to pass judgment:

         Rom. 14:4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Accurately judging between right and wrong requires a baseline to judge by. Believers in Jesus Christ operate on the basis of biblical teaching. The world outside of Christ operates on a much different set of values:

         1 Cor. 5:12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?

1 Cor. 6:2, 5 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? …I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?

The ability to judge between right and wrong sets humanity apart from animals. The right to exercise judgment as vengeance belongs to God (Dt. 32:35; Rom. 12:19). And the ability to pass judgment for salvation and eternal damnation is reserved for God alone (Ja. 4:12). God has given humanity a conscience, His Word and His Son to show us right from wrong. He has given believers His Holy Spirit who enables us to judge between righteousness and sinfulness. Exercising godly judgment now under the authority and guidance of God’s Word illuminated by the Holy Spirit trains us for that day when we will reign with Jesus, exercising judgment:

         Rev. 20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.

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Cursing & Swearing

Biblegems #108

Is there really anything wrong with cursing and swearing? Aren’t they just words like any other words? Does God really care?

(Note to parents: I will be using some words typically identified as swear words or curse words in this article. Please judge for yourselves whether this article is appropriate for your children. I am assuming mature adults can handle this content.)

When we think of cursing or swearing we typically see the two as identical with one another. However, the two are usually quite different.

To “curse” someone or something is to either ask God (or some other spiritual being) to punish someone or bring some kind of hardship or torment—or to announce that God (or some other spiritual being) is about to inflict hardship, suffering or calamity of some sort. Joshua, for example, acted on God’s behalf by pronouncing a curse upon anyone who attempted to rebuild Jericho:

         Josh. 6:26 At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: “At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates.”

Unless you are a prophet speaking on God’s behalf, however, any cursing you do is more than likely done out of anger and frustration, and you are asking God to punish someone on your behalf, rather than the other way around. When you say something like “Damn you!”—you are calling down a curse on someone. Words mean things. In this case, “damn” means to condemn someone to hell. When you curse you are placing yourself as judge and jury over another human being.

         James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Swearing, in some cases, is making a promise that is supposedly guaranteed by some higher authority. People say, “I swear on my mother’s grave,” or I swear by God…:”

         Heb. 6:16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.

Swearing is also using profanity—foul language / impure imagery—to make a point.

A common expression today that was not long ago considered foul language is the phrase “that sucks!” It distresses me to even type the words. Why? First, because when I used the phrase before I came to Christ I knew what it meant, and I wanted to plaster that image in another person’s mind. It also distresses me because most who use the phrase today don’t think about what it means, yet—for those who do understand—an unwholesome image is still plastered on the mind.

Jesus said:

         Matt. 5:34, 36 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.

After all, what is your intent when you use profanity? Are you reflecting Jesus Christ in your life—or something else?

         Eph. 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

‘nuff said.