Oftentimes we try to avoid been judged because it doesn’t really seem interesting to be judged by someone. In fact a number of Christians have come to the conclusion that the bible states clearly in Matthew 7:1 that we should not judge therefore interpreting that scripture out of context.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
In Matt 7:1, Jesus was speaking to mixed multitude ( The Pharisees, multitudes and his disciples).
The word judged used is the Greek word kreeno which implies to try to punish or condemn.
The people addressed in this context do not have the mind of God, they have no idea of what the right picture was.... all they had was the law of Moses as a matter of fact, they had no idea of what a sound judgement is in the light of Christ, hence they do not qualify to have a say on spiritual things.( remember the story of the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery? What judgement were they about to pass on her? See John 8 vs 1-11).
Also if you carefully consider the 3rd, 4th and 5th verse in Matt 7:11 you would realize that the folks with whom Jesus was speaking were blind men. ‘“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.”
What kind of judgement will a blind man give?
Hence Matt 7: 11 do not apply to the new creation believer because the eyes of his understanding has been enlightened to see things just as Christ sees them, hence he has a sound mind and a sound judgement.
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 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.” (1 Corinthians 2:12-16 KJV).
In the epistles Paul admonished the brethren, the elders to judge and even rebuke in the community of the saints. This is not to the end that the believer will be condemned but that he be built up to the fullness of the person of Christ.
The community of believer can judge the action of a fellow believer, correct and call such believer to order if he’s heading the wrong way.
Let quickly read through 1st COR 5
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For 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. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge 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: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
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.”
Here Paul the Apostle gave strict instructions on what should be done to such a person who headed for the wrong direction and yet glorying in his wrong conducts.
The reason for this is so that the church would not in anyway see this action as right. It is therefore expedient that steps be taken by the church, especially if such fault is capable of leading many others into errors, However the Church must be careful not to go to an extreme and miss the goal of the correction. Corrections must be done in love. The Church is for edifying and building up not tearing apart. There is nothing bad in correcting a fellow believer If he has done something wrong. Your silence might lead him to a deadly end. Speak up but be led. “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”John 7:24
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” Galatians 6:1-3. The fact that you were in a position to correct a fellow believer doesn’t make you more of a believer than he/she is. Don’t let the flesh rule your mind in the process.
“As for those who are guilty and persist in sin, rebuke and admonish them in the presence of all, so that the rest may be warned and stand in wholesome awe and fear. 1 Timothy 5:20AMPC
See Also, 2 Timothy 4:2 (kJV). Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
However correction must be done in love not to the end of proving that you are more spiritual or you have more understanding. It is also important that you are led by the spirit of God don’t just jump into conclusions. Know the truth. In terms of wrong conducts offer a helping hand, pray for the person involved, in terms of wrong doctrine teach from scriptures, let all things be done unto edifying.
However for people that resist correction and love to do things there own way, have nothing to do with them, put them away from amidst you. Lest they corrupt others, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
“I appeal to you, brethren, to be on your guard concerning those who create dissensions and difficulties and cause divisions, in opposition to the doctrine (the teaching) which you have been taught. [I warn you to turn aside from them, to] avoid them.”Romans16:17AMPC
I call you blessed
Adejuwon Hezekiah O
KINGS AND PRIESTS GLOBAL OUTREACH
Comments