Judge Not

Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commissioned His followers (His church) to carry on the work that He had begun. His instructions were, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” And His promise was, “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19, 20. This was a very important duty – cooperating with heavenly agencies for the salvation of souls. Their words and actions would be a “savour of death unto death;” or, a “savour of life unto life” (2 Cor 2:16) for those to whom they ministered. To the church He also gave another important duty, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19. From this statement, we understand that the church has a duty to discern between those who are living according to their commitment to the Lord, and those who are not. And those in violation of the commandments of God are to be separated from God’s people. Heaven would ratify the decision of the church, therefore the duty of separation is a very serious one. “‘The keys of the kingdom of heaven,’ are the words of Christ. All the words of Holy Scripture are His, and are here included. These words have power to open and to shut heaven. They declare the conditions upon which men are received or rejected. Thus the work of those who preach God’s word is a savour of life unto life or of death unto death. Theirs is a mission weighted with eternal results.” DA 413. This commission has always been a part of God’s church and still is today.

The separation can go one step further. We are bidden to have nothing to do with an infidel. “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 10, 11

As human beings it is very difficult to keep quiet when we see something amiss in the life of another person, or things done in the church we don’t approve of. It is so tempting to share the “news” with someone else. However, this is contrary to Scripture. We are to tell the person in error alone – no one else. If we see things in the church we don’t approve of, speak to the leader alone – no one else. Otherwise this will undoubtedly lead to judgment, gossip and backbiting. The tribe of Dan was excluded from the 144,000 due to the problem of backbiting. Although the Danites were gifted with leadership qualities and were judges in Israel, they became proud and self-confident and began to abuse this talent and become judgmental of their brethren to the point of backbiting. “Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.” Genesis 49:17.

So what is our duty?
We are to discern, but not to judge. The difference is:

Discern – to see, or recognize using the senses or the intellect.
Judge – to form an opinion, estimate or conclusion

While God has entrusted the duty of discernment, and even separation to His church and people, He has not given the duty of judgment. When we perceive and recognize wrongs, we need to deal with them appropriately or turn away from them, not begin to form opinions and spread the gossip around. It has happened in the past, that discernment has led to becoming judgmental. When something is seen to be out of order, we form an opinion. God is judge and it is the sinner that causes a separation from Christ, we do not need to drive him further away with our gossip. “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” Proverbs 5:22. We need to do the work of Jesus to try to woo them back to the fold of mercy.

JUDGMENT

The Bible is very clear about the sin of judging. Those that judge are equallyguilty but are trying to avoid being noticed and judged themselves so they judge their brother to get the focus off themselves rather than giving them a word of encouragement and a helping hand. “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” Romans 2:1-3. “Thus those who condemn or criticize others, proclaim themselves guilty, for they do the same things. In condemning others, they are passing sentence upon themselves, and God declares that this sentence is just. He accepts their own verdict against themselves.” MB 124

“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. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” James 4:11, 12

“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. 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.” Matthew 7:1-5. When we judge someone else, it will always come back on us.

“He who opens his heart to the suggestions of the enemy, taking in evil surmisings, and cherishing jealousy, frequentlymisconstrues this evil-mindedness,calling it special foresight, discrimination, or discernment in detecting guilt and fathoming the evil motives of others. He considers that a precious gift has been vouchsafed to him; and he draws apart from the very brethren with whom he should be in harmony; he climbs upon the judgment seat, and shuts his heart against the one he supposes to be in error, as though he himself were above temptation. Jesus separates from him, and leaves him to walk in the sparks of his own kindling.

“Let no one among you glory any longer against the truth by declaring that this spirit is a necessary consequence of dealing faithfully with wrongdoers and of standing in defence of the truth. Such wisdom has many admirers, but it is very deceptive and harmful. It does not come from above, but is the fruit of an unregenerate heart. Its originator is Satan himself. Let no accuser of others credit himself with discernment; for in so doing he clothes the attributes of Satan with the garments of righteousness. I call upon you, my brethren, to purify the soul temple of all these things that defile; for they are roots of bitterness.” 7BC 936

“Never speak a word of complaint or faultfinding. There are churches in which the spirituality has been almost killed, because the spirit of backbiting has been allowed to enter. Why do we speak words of blame and censure? To be silent is the strongest rebuke that you can give to one who is speaking harsh, discourteous words to you. Keep perfectly silent. Often silence is eloquence.” CG 551

“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 Cor. 2:15, 16. Although this verse could be said to be in contradiction to the other verses since it is telling us that spiritual people are permitted to judge, however for those who have access to a Bible with a marginal reading or to the original Greek, this word “judge” is, in reality, synonymous with the word, “Discern.” The spiritual and wise will have the ability to discern between right and wrong.

How does Gossip combined with judgment Work? “There will ever be some who take delight in dwelling upon the real or supposed faults and failures of others, and who employ their time in seeing, hearing, or reporting something that will destroy confidence in the person criticized. Few are without visible faults; in most persons careful scrutiny will reveal some defect of character; and upon these defects in others, some professed Christians delight to dwell. The habit strengthens with indulgence, and a love for gossip becomes their ruling passion. They gather together the tidbits of reports, –all of them, it may be, utterly devoid of truth, –and feast upon the scandal, and share it with others as a rare delicacy… The true followers of Christ will not be found biting and devouring one another… Envy and jealousy loose the bloodhounds of suspicion, and minds that love the sport join in hunting down the fair fame of Christ’s ambassadors. An unjust insinuation is started, a conjecture is set afloat; and it gathers strength as it passes from one to another of those who desire it to be true. These evil reports are received with great satisfaction by some who have been reproved for heinous sins or grave defects of character. They smarted under the reproof, and yet did not reform. Now their consciences are eased; they learn that the reprover cannot be trusted; somebody has circulated a damaging report; somebody has brought an accusation. They leave the distasteful work of caring for their own souls and repenting of their own sins, and climb upon the judgment seat to condemn another.” RH 08-28-83

There is a curse pronounced against the one who judges or even slanders his fellow man. “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.” Psalm 101:5

UNFORGIVING SPIRIT

An unforgiving spirit is not from God, but from Satan. Have you ever heard someone say that they could not forgive someone for something they did against them? Or they may say they forgive but they do not forget. When future disagreements occur, the issue is brought up over and over again for many years. If God can forgive then why can’t we?

“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18,19

What a great and merciful God we serve. This is how He brings us peace and happiness. He lifts our burdens of sin and casts it away. When men place themselves in the judgement seat against their brethren, they are placing themselves above God. When we keep bringing the sins back to the surface that God has buried in the depths of the sea, we are doing something that even God will not dare to do. If God would treat us as an unforgiving person would treat a repentant person, what hope would we have?

PREJUDICE

The word “prejudice” comes from the same roots as the word judge. Pre–Judge. Judging ahead of time. It describes a preconceived opinion about something or someone either favourable or unfavourable. An opinion is formed about a person, a group or a situation without discovering the truth for one’s self. For example, in the early Christian church some of the believers were prejudiced against the Gentiles until they saw the Holy Spirit being poured out upon them also. “And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 10:45.

Prejudice has led many people to close their minds against the truth simply because they have heard negative reports from other people about the sect, “Seventh-day Adventist” and they believe these reports without studying for themselves to find the truth. The truth may require them to bear a cross that they do not want to carry. They simply look at the externals without delving into the real reasons behind the truths taught in the Adventist message.

In Jesus’ day there was much prejudice amongst the religious leaders. Their attitude towards the poor, the sick, the needy and Gentiles was that they were cursed by God and outcasts, therefore not worthy of their notice or sympathy. It was a well known fact in Israel at that time that different towns were more corrupt than others and if Nathanael had believed all the gossip he heard about Nazareth, he may never have become one of Jesus’ disciples. His words to Philip show an element of prejudice.

“Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” John 1:45 – 49

What would have happened if Nathanael would have hardened his heart, not let go of his prejudice and refused to go? He would have lost a tremendous blessing. Something good had come out of Nazareth and something good was happening in Israel and Nathanael was about to find out. Unfortunately many refused to find out and accept Jesus, due to prejudice and gossip spread by the Jewish leaders. Today, when you do missionary work many will refuse to even listen. They have heard second-hand negative remarks about Seventh-day Adventism and before you get a chance to even share your faith – the ears are closed – they do not want to know. They have been told rumours, gossip and untruths and they are unwilling to study for themselves – what is truth.

Is it possible for prejudice to exist in God’s church towards believers in different countries and cultures? It is possible since we are all human and make mistakes, however, God is in control of His church and, even though Satan plants his tares in the church, God will purge and purify it, separating the tares from the wheat in His good time.

If we do hear rumours and gossip – find the truth first – check both sides of the issue – “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” 2 Cor. 13:1. Don’t come to conclusions on the ?word of one man or you are bound to make mistakes.

“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 18:13

It did happen in the days of Ancient Israel that there were rumours going around that there was a false system of worship being set up, shortly after their settlement in Canaan. You can read the story in Joshua Chapter 22:10-29. The tribes on the Western side of the Jordan River, suspected that the tribes on the Eastern side were setting up a false form of worship. They were ready to take up arms and go fight against their brethren. I’m sure rumours and gossip were travelling like wildfire about the rebellion in the east. However, before they took violent action they sent Phinehas, the son of the priest and ten princes to investigate. The truth was discovered – the rumours had been false and there was peace in the nation. What would have happened if they had not sent anyone to investigate, but rather acted on the rumours they had heard? It would have had terrible results. We may hear rumours or gossip from our brethren because we are all weak, sinful mortals, with human failings, but it is our duty to not pass on the rumours or gossip. Either let them die in our ears, or investigate the truth for ourselves if we are curious. Leave such matters to the Lord.

“Envy, jealousy, evil surmising, and evil speaking are of Satan, and they effectually bar the way against the Holy Spirit’s working. Nothing else in this world is so dear to God as His church. Nothing is guarded by Him with such jealous care. Nothing so offends God as an act that injures the influence of those who are doing His service. He will call to account all who aid Satan in his work of criticizing and discouraging.” 6T 42

TASTE AND SEE

“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8.

Sometimes people have false discernment. They think they are discerning correctly, however they are, in fact, judging through false reports from others because they did not make the effort to discover the truth for themselves – to taste and see. For example, in social associations when false reports and gossip have been spread, a separation of friends has been caused because the false report was not investigated. There was no effort made to see and find out the truth.

It may also happen in religious matters when Christians do not study for themselves, but rather take the word of their church leader or a friend who is prejudiced against the truths of the Bible. Again, no effort is made to taste and see for themselves. Some of these Christians have spoken to me in the past telling me that keeping God’s 10 Commandments is like wearing a yoke of bondage. The Sabbath is especially condemned. They asked me how I can wear this yoke of bondage. If only they knew. If they could experience the blessings that are connected with the Sabbath they would not have this preconceived idea. The peace, the rest, the fellowship… The fact that we can lay all worldly cares aside and rest in peace with the Lord. So much spiritual strength is gained, so much peace and happiness obtained. I can’t understand how a Christian could maintain their faith without the blessing of the Sabbath. They have not tried it, so they ?are judging and condemning something from the Lord through prejudice alone. Once they have tasted and seen for themselves what blessings come from true Sabbath observance, they will have a completely different attitude. They will have a clear discernment of the truth and not judge it falsely.

David had tasted and seen that serving the Lord brings more happiness than serving the world. “I have seen His greatness, I have tasted His goodness. ‘Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul.’ ” Psalm 66:16

Have You Tasted And Seen?

Even if we are a part of God’s church, have we surrendered our all to Him? Is there some hidden small idol we are holding back? Is it some small indulgence of food, or fashion, or some form of entertainment? Are we ?afraid to trust 100% in the leading of the Lord in our lives? Is there some element that we feel we must still control and are
unwilling to yield? We have then not fully tasted and seen the goodness of the Lord. We have not fully entered into His peace and happiness. “God invites us to prove for ourselves the reality of His word, the truth of His promises. He bids us ‘taste and see that the Lord is good.’ Psalm 34:8. Instead of depending upon the word of another, we are to taste for ourselves.” SC 111. We lose our clear discernment of the truth. The truth becomes cloudy and we begin to judge those as fanatics who adhere to the clear truth.

Some doubt that giving yourself 100% to God’s control can lead to a life of perfect peace and happiness. Especially young people – they tend to dwell on the denials they must make, the things they must give up in order to serve the Lord. They have a preconceived opinion that the true followers of Christ cannot be happy because they do not partake in the pleasures of this world. They have no discernment, only judgment. Those in the world appear to be having so much happiness. Is this really true? Can the way of the cross bring happiness to the soul? When we hear of various “rules and
restrictions” in God’s church do we think that people are becoming fanatics and extreme? Taste and see for yourself. Do not judge, but investigate the cause, study God’s requirements for your self rather than becoming prejudiced from the words of another and judge those who carry the messages of the Lord. It is important to discern truth from error and cling to the truth.

“Disguise it as they may, the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in most cases, is the love of sin. The teachings and restrictions of God’s word are not welcome to the proud, sin-loving heart, and those who are unwilling to obey its requirements are ready to doubt its authority. In order to arrive at truth, we must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it. And all who come in this spirit to the study of the Bible will find abundant evidence that it is God’s word, and they may gain an understanding of its truths that will make them wise unto salvation” SC
111. And then we will receive the blessing of the Lord. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27.

Even though Jesus is described as “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3), He was the happiest man that ever lived. “It is often said that Jesus wept, but that He was never known to smile. Our Saviour was indeed a Man of
Sorrows, and acquainted with grief, for He opened His heart to all the woes of men. But though His life was self-denying and shadowed with pain and care, His spirit was not crushed. His countenance did not wear an expression of grief and repining, but ever one of peaceful serenity. His heart was a wellspring of life, and wherever He went He carried rest and peace, joy and gladness.

“Our Saviour was deeply serious and intensely in earnest, but never gloomy or morose. The life of those who imitate Him will be full of earnest purpose; they will have a deep sense of personal responsibility. Levity will be repressed; there will be no boisterous merriment, no rude jesting; but the religion of Jesus gives peace like a river. It does not quench the light of joy; it does not restrain cheerfulness nor cloud the sunny, smiling face.” SC 120

“Do not think that when you walk with Jesus you must walk in the shadow. The happiest people in the world are those who trust in Jesus and gladly do His bidding. From the lives of those who follow Him, unrest and discontent are banished… They may meet with trial and difficulty, but their lives are full of joy; for Christ walks beside them, and His presence makes the pathway bright…” HP 62 If we can meet Jesus in peace and be saved, forever saved, we shall be the happiest of beings.

“There is the evidence that you are connected with Jesus Christ, and that there is a power that sustains you in all your afflictions and disappointmentsand trials; and this power and this grace sweetens every affliction. When the cup of suffering may be placed to your lips, there is a Comforter and Helper. The cup of consolation is placed in the hand, and it may be the happiest period of your life.” RC 355

Suffering and happiness sound like they are mutually exclusive terms, how can you be happy in suffering? Only in Jesus. Taste and see. Try it for yourself. Then we can say like Paul did, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed…. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:8,9,17,18. If we could discern truth from error – lightfrom darkness – then we will be able to taste and see that the Lord is good. All ?judgment will be cast aside.

WISE AS SERPENTS

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Mat 10:16

Serpents are wise, but they are also deadly. We need their wisdom, but we must be harmless. This is especially true in our associations with our brothers and sisters in the faith. Those we see straying need our wisdom, but also our kindness and love, not judgment and condemnation. We must not backbite like an adder as did the tribe of Dan and find ourselves outside the kingdom of God. Judging must be left to God. Any prejudice we may have must be thrown out the window.
“This is the guile that Paul used; this is the wisdom of the serpent; the harmlessness of the dove. When we come to a community that is acquainted with our faith, this cautious course need not to be pursued, but in every case special efforts should be made to come close to hearts by personal efforts. Avoid running down the churches; do not let the people receive the idea that your work is to tear down, but to build up, and to present the truth as it is in Jesus. Dwell much upon the necessity of vital godliness.–Letter 2, 1885.” Ev 227

“If you see that by doing certain things which you have a perfect right to do, you hinder the advancement of God’s work, refrain from doing those things. Do nothing that will close the minds of others against the truth. There is a world to save, and we shall gain nothing by cutting loose from those we are trying to help. All things may be lawful, but all things are not expedient.” 9T 215

Our duty before the Lord is to help one another on our spiritual journey on the strait and narrow way. This way may be full of dangers and sorrows, so we need to cheer each other along the way. May God help us to each do our own duty to the best of our ability and work in harmony with our brethren having clear discernment of truth from error, but being wise enough not to be judgmental.
AMEN

Wendy Eaton, Australia