Sometimes I get responses to posts suggesting I am judging. This morning, in my inbox, I received this response:
to this post: https://christianlady.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/bill-hybelsbob-buford-and-twisting-scripture/
I am not judging Bill Hybels here, I am pointing out errors he is making. The Bereans were commended for searching scriptures to see if teachers are speaking the truth, and we are specifically called to test the spirits. The response is a misuse of the word “judge.” I do not decide where Hybels spends eternity, and I am not saying he is unsaved…I do not know him personally and cannot judge him by his fruits on a daily basis. But, his public fruit stinks in certain areas. I can judge him by his fruits, meaning I look at the fruit and decide if what he is saying jibes with scripture. If it does not I can point it out. Not judging in terms of saying he is evil and going to hell, but judging in terms of saying he is in error in his teaching.
There are also times when we do judge the actions and can determine that someone is unsaved at this time. Sometimes it’s very clear. I do not again think that we are judging the person as condemned so much as looking at the fruit and knowing the tree is rotting. There are times for pointing this out, for warning Christians of the dangers. It’s not that we’re saying we’re better than this person or that, just that their actions show they are not following Christ.
I am a C...I am a CH...I am a CHRISTIAN 
Matthew 7:6: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”
If we are never to judge, how will we know who the dogs and pigs are?
1 Thessalonians 5:21: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
If we are never to judge, how will we test all things and know the difference between good and bad?
1 John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
If we are never to judge, how will we test the spirits and determine who the false prophets are?
10 years ago the most popular passage of scripture was John 3:16; now its Matthew 7:1. How times have changed.
The argument that we are never to judge is based upon ignorance of the whole counsel of God.
Don’t let them get to you ChristianLady. Keep on telling the truth! I for one am proud of you!
I think when people say not to judge, they mean something entirely different than what we are donig. It’s not that I don’t admit I am a sinner, or that I randomly go around and point people to their sins. It’s that we are pointing to errors because people in the church are being dragged down a wasted path of self help and other futility. Some of what people are being drawn to is downright unbiblical and part of other religious exercises. It’s sometimes a subtle focus on self rather than God…and other times blatant misuse of scripture. You are right, we are to judge in a way that tests what people say and do in light of scripture. We are not to judge without knowing what we’re doing, but we are to be specific. It’s not that I’m being offended (though I am) it’s that Christ is being dishonored by so much teaching out there…
Christian Lady, This response is only out of ignorance of the scriptures. I fully agree with Okie Preacher. My pastor says the same thing…that we shouldn’t be judging..I think he is afraid of conflict..I mean Iknow he is not wanting to be held accountable.
John 7:24: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
Jesus made it quite clear here that judgment is a part of the Christian life. However, he asks us to judge what is really going on. Some false teachers are evil, seeking only to enrich themselves and can clearly be seen by their deeds. Some however, are simply ignorant and, once approached can and will be corrected.
The character of the false profit is none of my business. However, his false teaching is. If someone offered you a glass of iced tea with poison in it, and I knew it and did nothing about it, I did not war you, what kind of a person would I be?
1 Cor 2:15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things…
Good word Cara!
We have recently (finally) left our seeker friendly/purpose driven willow creek clone church. We had finally had enough and after going to the elders..it was clear that the pastor held all the reigns of all the decisions with no accountability. I did a personal study on discernment because I didn’t want to be judging and I can say with a pure heart that we looked at what was being taught and brought into the church that was unbiblical teaching..not individuals. That is the reason we separated from the church.