Biblical discussion on judging others

I do not believe that the New Testament provides support for the act of judging another or condemning another. As my support for this view are the following scripture:

James 4:10-17
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

1 Corinthians 6:5-8
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

Romans 14:10-13
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

Matthew 7:1-5
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 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?
5 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.

John 12:47-48
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

1 Corinthians 4:5
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

If you agree and have more support present it, if you disagree, provide support for the opposing stance.

I believe that all men are brothers, and thus all men are held inclusive when the term "brother" is used. If you disagree with this assumption provide reference that states that all men are not brothers.

Why has no one posted on this thread? Maybe some Christians don't want to hear that they are doing wrong.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Why has no one posted on this thread? Maybe some Christians don't want to hear that they are doing wrong.

I don't know, perhaps they don't believe that saying that someone else is going to hell or similar is a judgement. And so don't see themselves as judging.

There were very long lists of bible passages....when I look at it...I get dizzy.

Originally posted by Shakyamunison
Why has no one posted on this thread? Maybe some Christians don't want to hear that they are doing wrong.

Is my guess too. Its funny how much of the bible, contrencated on good and spiritual side, certain Christians do not follow.

The less tolerating ones, are almost always quoted and followed, and used for discrimination.

Originally posted by Regret
I do not believe that the New Testament provides support for the act of judging another or condemning another. As my support for this view are the following scripture:

If you agree and have more support present it, if you disagree, provide support for the opposing stance.

I believe that all men are brothers, and thus all men are held inclusive when the term "brother" is used. If you disagree with this assumption provide reference that states that all men are not brothers.

Originally posted by Alliance
There were very long lists of bible passages....when I look at it...I get dizzy.

I know what you mean.

Reading and learning about something takes more effort than talking about it based on prejudices.

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Reading and learning about something takes more effort than talking about it based on prejudices.

Hence why I didn't respond...even though I've read it once already...but if its from the BOM, I've only read its NASB cousin...well...distant cousin.

Key:
BOM - Book of Mormon
NASB - New American Standard Bible

Originally posted by Alliance
Hence why I didn't respond...even though I've read it once already...but if its from the BOM, I've only read its NASB cousin...well...distant cousin.

Key:
BOM - Book of Mormon
NASB - New American Standard Bible

Yeah, I typically don't post BOM quotes. They would hold little value for those that don't believe in it. If I feel the quotes would be useful and enlightening as to my views or Mormon views I provide them, but it would be a waste of time and of little value in most instances. Would be like quoting Bible at someone who doesn't believe the Bible.

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Is my guess too. Its funny how much of the bible, contrencated on good and spiritual side, certain Christians do not follow.

The less tolerating ones, are almost always quoted and followed, and used for discrimination.

Interesting post, thank you.

Thanks

Well...you're right...

Regret, you are probably the smartest Christian I've come across on these forums. Such a shame that other Christian Debators have betrayed you by not dignifying your questions with a decent answer.

I think that it's part of human nature (or atleast Societal nature) to judge someone else, regardless of whether your religion or philosophy encourages it.

It makes all of us feel much better with ourselves when we can see ourselves as superior to someone else in some way. This much is true, as it is one of the largest problems in childrens, adolescents, and even adults.

If you cannot see yourself as better looking than, stronger than, more successful than, etc. than someone else..then religion/morality may be a way to make oneself feel they are somehow above another.

IF you feel you are a "better person" than someone else, you have feel like you have more power over them. If you think they are going to Hell, and you are going to Heaven, you also feel much better with yourself.

It's pathetic when an Individual cannot value themselves enough unless they degrade someone else. I think that's the root to the issue, not just when it comes to Christian-based judgement, but when it comes to discrimination of ALL sorts as well.

Originally posted by Lord Urizen
Regret, you are probably the smartest Christian I've come across on these forums. Such a shame that other Christian Debators have betrayed you by not dignifying your questions with a decent answer.

I think that it's part of human nature (or atleast Societal nature) to judge someone else, regardless of whether your religion or philosophy encourages it.

It makes all of us feel much better with ourselves when we can see ourselves as superior to someone else in some way. This much is true, as it is one of the largest problems in childrens, adolescents, and even adults.

If you cannot see yourself as better looking than, stronger than, more successful than, etc. than someone else..then religion/morality may be a way to make oneself feel they are somehow above another.

IF you feel you are a "better person" than someone else, you have feel like you have more power over them. If you think they are going to Hell, and you are going to Heaven, you also feel much better with yourself.

It's pathetic when an Individual cannot value themselves enough unless they degrade someone else. I think that's the root to the issue, not just when it comes to Christian-based judgement, but when it comes to discrimination of ALL sorts as well.

Agreed, I think the ideal of being nonjudgmental should be pursued, but it is probably beyond the reach of most, if not all men, imo. At least as far as being perfectly nonjudgmental.

Your post is accurate I think, I wanted a discussion of the fact, but I do not believe that one is forthcoming from the Bible following crowd.

Originally posted by Lord Urizen
Regret, you are probably the smartest Christian I've come across on these forums. Such a shame that other Christian Debators have betrayed you by not dignifying your questions with a decent answer.

I think that it's part of human nature (or atleast Societal nature) to judge someone else, regardless of whether your religion or philosophy encourages it.

It makes all of us feel much better with ourselves when we can see ourselves as superior to someone else in some way. This much is true, as it is one of the largest problems in childrens, adolescents, and even adults.

If you cannot see yourself as better looking than, stronger than, more successful than, etc. than someone else..then religion/morality may be a way to make oneself feel they are somehow above another.

IF you feel you are a "better person" than someone else, you have feel like you have more power over them. If you think they are going to Hell, and you are going to Heaven, you also feel much better with yourself.

It's pathetic when an Individual cannot value themselves enough unless they degrade someone else. I think that's the root to the issue, not just when it comes to Christian-based judgement, but when it comes to discrimination of ALL sorts as well.

Before I start, let me just say that I actually agree with Regret on this, I do think that there are opposing viewpoints though, so for just a moment I'm going to play devil's advocate.

Here are a few verses that suggest that judging is allowable at times:

1 Cor. 6: 2-5
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

Isaiah 1:17
17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

1 Kgs. 3: 9
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

Ezek. 44: 23
23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Mal. 3: 18
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

So there's my bit as devils advocate, of course even if you take the view that these call for judging of others, you have to at the same time keep in mind all the rest about loving thy neighbor, and turning the other cheek, and all that.

Originally posted by docb77
Before I start, let me just say that I actually agree with Regret on this, I do think that there are opposing viewpoints though, so for just a moment I'm going to play devil's advocate.

Here are a few verses that suggest that judging is allowable at times:

So there's my bit as devils advocate, of course even if you take the view that these call for judging of others, you have to at the same time keep in mind all the rest about loving thy neighbor, and turning the other cheek, and all that.

But it's a contradiction, don't you think? How can you "turn the other cheek" and "love thy neighbor" and at the same time pass judgement on the same person ?

Aren't all those quotes from Old Testament?

Corinthians is NT.

Originally posted by Lord Urizen
But it's a contradiction, don't you think? How can you "turn the other cheek" and "love thy neighbor" and at the same time pass judgement on the same person ?

The bible is contradictory...

Its full of incidences where public stoning is recommended...the new testament however, as a general stance, moves judgement away from humans and puts it in gods hands.

Thats the problem with literalism though. When things contradict, people ignore it and choose a side. This combined with the general vagueness of the Bible, creates multiple literalisms...which can be easily exploited by lets say....certain movements.

Originally posted by Alliance
Corinthians is NT.

The bible is contradictory...

Its full of incidences where public stoning is recommended...the new testament however, as a general stance, moves judgement away from humans and puts it in gods hands.

Thats the problem with literalism though. When things contradict, people ignore it and choose a side. This combined with the general vagueness of the Bible, creates multiple literalisms...which can be easily exploited by lets say....certain movements.

Or they just pretend there's no contradiction. 🙄

Ask JIA, ask Feceman, ask many Christian debators, they will somehow try and convince you that no contradiction exists....

To them...there is no condradiction, becuase they likely don't look for one.

Everything is exactly how they think it is and there is no room for opinions other than their own.

Actually, in this instance, I think there may be a way to reconcile the 2 positions.

When we're told not to judge, that's referring to judgement of people. We have no way of knowing what's actually in their hearts, God does. That's why judgement is reserved for Him.

On the other hand, the verses I gave told us that we should judge. We've already said that we shouldn't judge people, so what's left? If we read the verses I gave in context they're generally talking about judging between good and evil. So since we can't judge peoples intentions, we are left with judging situations and actions. By their fruits ye shall know them and all that jazz.

So one possible reconciliation is:

Judge people = big no-no
Judge environment/actions = ok if we have the gift of understanding

The gift understanding being the Christian faith....

I don't think you can reconcile...you need people to judge to keep them away from other faiths and in "the right path." However, you don't want it to come to the point where everyone condemns every one else within your own religoin. Thus...you make two contradictory statements to attempt to keep a balance.

Or...the people who wrote the book were just morons.