Do not judge

Jesus says not to judge. Because, then, especially in the religious world, many, both individual believers and at the level of organizations, they calmly judge the actions and ideologies of others?

It is true that in the Bible we read that Jesus says not to judge if you do not want to be judged by God, but the Bible also says: “Do not participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but rather take them back” (Ephesians 5:11).

First of all, the spirit and attitude we have towards those we examine is important. If judging means dismissing a person as an opponent, or measure others according to our own standard of justice rather than that established by God, then this is not allowed.

On the other hand, to interpret the words of Jesus as a prohibition to ascertain reality and to evaluate, it would be a misunderstanding. In Leviticus 19:17 is written: “You will not hate your brother in your heart. Take back your neighbor as well, but do not burden yourself with a sin because of him“. Here we are talking about brotherly reproof which could be applied to anyone, provided that he is animated by love and the desire to be able to see the good of the other.

Humbly exhort others to repent, it does not mean judging by giving a hasty sentence; it means desiring that God's will be done on earth as it is done in heaven; it means wanting to help others to open their eyes to be redeemed and to enjoy communion with God.

Concerning doctrines publicly professed by organizations, orders, churches, etc., we have a duty to be clear, firm and unique. In these cases there is no danger of misunderstanding, because Jesus said that many false prophets will come under his name, that the “rapacious wolves” they will disguise themselves as lambs, that not whoever calls him “lord” will prove to belong to Him, but whoever does God's will.

As for the judgment within the church, by the conductors, it is allowed to exhort to live in a holy way (1 Corinthians 5:9-13; cf.. also Matteo 18:15-17, 1 Timoteo 5:19). This does not mean that we must become judges of others, observing and pointing out their mistakes, indeed, we must first of all take care of our life (read Luca 6:42), and then exhort in the love of the Lord those brothers who conduct themselves wrongly before God, praying to God for them (1 Giovanni 5:16, 2 Corinthians 2:5-11).

Let us now look at the warnings that the Word of God addresses to those who judge for pride, curse, hypocrisy, or partisan spirit.

Jesus said,: “Don't judge, lest you be judged; because with the judgment with which you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure with which you measure, it will be measured to you, because you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, while you do not see the beam that is in your eye? THE, how can you tell your brother: “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, while the beam is in your eye? Hypocritical, remove the beam from your eye first, and then you will see clearly to draw the speck from your brother's eye.“(Matteo 7:1-5)

“Each of us will give an account of himself to God. So let's stop judging one another; rather decide not to stumble in the way of the brother, nor to be an opportunity for him to fall.”(Romans 14:12,13)

“Don't speak badly of each other, brothers.”(Giacomo 4:11)

“The servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but he must be gentle with everyone, capable of teaching, patient. Must instruct opponents with meekness in the hope that God will grant them to repent in order to recognize the truth, so that, returned to themselves, come out of the devil's snare, who had taken them prisoner to do his will.”(2 Timoteo 2:24)

“Getting rid of any badness, of any fraud, of hypocrisy, of envy and all slander, like newborn babies, you desire pure spiritual milk, because with it you grow for salvation, if you have truly tasted that the Lord is good. Approaching Him, living stone, rejected by men, but before God chosen and precious, you too, like living stones, you are built to form a spiritual home, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices, pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.“(1 Pietro 2:1-5)

In short…

Too many times you point the finger at that brother or sister who in your opinion are not “perfect” on their way. But while our finger is pointing at others, the other fingers point towards us reminding us that judgment belongs only to God. When your brother makes a mistake, don't drag it to the table of defendants, but speak to him confidentially through the grace that is in you. Don't you know that a word spoken with judgment can kill a spiritual life, that could be restored? Remember when you lived as a sinner, and you went to God. You have not found a look of judgment and condemnation, but eyes that looked at you with love. Don't be hasty in drawing your own conclusions about others, because God alone knows the depths of the heart and for him nothing is hidden. If you are aware of your brother's weakness, do not spread rumors about him, this would only destroy his life and weaken the body of Christ. Rather, pray and ask God for the right advice. Your personal initiative, not from God, it could cause very serious damage.

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