Page 351 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

JUDGE NOT

be contrary to many other passages in the same epistle judging with an evil intent. When one judges sin and
(i.e., 1 Co. 2:15; 5:3, 12; 6:2-3; 14:29). error scripturally, it is never with a desire to hurt people.
He is saying, rather, that believers are not to judge The Pharisees judged Jesus in an evil manner (Jn.
ministers by their own human thinking as to what a 7:52). The false teachers at Galatia and Corinth judged
minister should be and how he should teach and act, Paul in the same manner, trying to tear him down in the
but they are to judge righteous judgment according to eyes of the churches (2 Co. 10:10). This is what James
God’s Word. He is talking about being judged by “man’s forbids.
judgment” (1 Co. 4:3). It is not required that a minister Second, James is referring to judging in a way that is
suit men and bend to their thinking; it is required that contrary to the law of God (“there is one lawgiver,” Ja.
he be faithful to God, and this is the only proper 4:12). This refers to judging others by human standards
standard by which he can be judged. rather than divine, thus setting oneself up as the
Paul, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is also lawgiver. The Pharisees did this when they judged Jesus
saying that ultimate and final judgment belongs only to by their traditions (Mt. 15:1-3). On the other hand,
the Lord; therefore, we must be humble and cautious in when a believer judges things by God’s Word in a godly
our judgments in this present time (1 Co. 4:4-5). Even and compassionate manner, he is not exercising his own
though we have the Word of God and we are obliged to judgment; he is exercising God’s judgment. When, for
judge everything on the basis of God’s Word, we must example, I say that it is wrong for a woman to be a
not think that we are infallible. We have to walk in the pastor or it is a shame for a man to have long hair or
light that we have and live our lives and exercise our those who love the world are adulterers, this is not my
ministries on that basis, but our knowledge is very judgment or law; it is God’s (1 Ti. 2:12; 1 Co. 11:14; Ja.
imperfect in this present world. 4:4).
We can know if a man’s teaching is false and we can For more on verses misused by the ecumenical
know enough, therefore, to mark his error and to avoid movement see Things Hard To Be Understood: A
it, but we do not know the secrets of men’s hearts and Handbook of Biblical Difficulties on 1 Sa. 24:4-10; Mt.
we do not know all of the things that will be brought to 7:1-1; 18:15-17; Mk. 9:38-40; John 13:35; 17:21; Acts
bear and come into play when God judges men in that 5:38-39; James 4:11-12. This book if available from
perfect light of a coming day. Way of Life Literature.
James 4:11-12 -- “Speak not evil one of another, The following study is by the late Franklin G. Huling:
brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth This question, Is it right to judge? is one that puzzles
his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: many sincere Christians. A careful and open-minded
but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, study of the Bible makes it clear that concerning
but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and certain vital matters, it is not only right but a positive
to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” duty to judge. Many do not know that—
Like Matthew 7:1, Romans 14:4, and 1 Corinthians The Scripture Commands to Judge: The Lord Jesus
Christ commanded, “Judge righteous judgment” (Jn.
4:5, James 4:11 is frequently misused by the ecumenical 7:24). He told a man, “Thou hast rightly judged” (Lk.
crowd to support the false doctrine that Christians are 7:43). To others, our Lord asked, “Why even of
forbidden to judge doctrine and practice. To make these yourselves judge ye not what is right?” (Lk. 12:57).
verses teach that Christians can never judge, though, The Apostle Paul wrote, “I speak as to wise men; judge
throws the Bible into confusion. There is a right ye what I say” (1 Co. 10:15). Again, Paul declared, “He
judgment and a wrong judgment. Many verses that is spiritual judgeth all things” (1 Co. 2:15). It is
command us to judge righteous judgment (Luke 12:57; our positive duty to judge.
John 7:24; 1 Co. 2:15). We are to judge preaching (1 False Teachers and False Teaching: “Beware of false
Co. 14:29), sin in the churches (1 Co. 5:3), issues in the prophets!” (Mt. 7:15) is the warning and command of
churches (1 Co. 6:5), sin in our own lives (1 Co. 11:31), our Lord. But how could we “beware” and how could
false teachers (Mt. 7:15; Ro. 16:17); spirits (1 John we know they are “false prophets” if we did not judge?
4:1), etc. And what is the God-given standard by which we are
When, then, is James forbidding? The context to judge? “To the Law and to the Testimony: if they
speak not according to THIS WORD, it is because there
clarifies the matter. is NO LIGHT in them” (Is. 8:20). “Ye shall know them
First, James is referring to speaking evil (Ja. 4:11). by their fruits,” Christ said (Mt. 7:16). And in judging
Proper judging is to speak the truth in love. The truth is the “fruits,” we must judge by God’s Word, not by what
not evil and speaking the truth in love is not evil. The appeals to human reasoning. Many things seem good
type of judging condemned by James is judging in the to human judgment which are false to the Word of
sense of tearing down, tale bearing, and slander. It is God.

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 351