Are We Allowed To Judge?

Verses 43-45 seem to imply that we “can” judge someone; and we evaluate them by their fruit. So, who are we allowed to judge? Well, let’s refer back to verse 42 again. Jesus said, “First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye.” It’s our “brother” (or sister) in Christ that we are able to evaluate. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, “For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges.” Those outside the church, who are unbelievers, cannot be held to the same standards as Christians.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 6, we are told that we, as Christians, actually do have a right to judge. In verses 2-3, Paul said, “Do you not know that [in the end] the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” Paul then provided some examples of things that believers are able to judge as being unrighteous. In verses 9-10, he said, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” So, if a fellow Christian is participating in any of these sins, we have a right to speak up about it.

Galatians chapter 5 is another passage about judging. In Galatians 5:16, Paul admonished Christians, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” In verses 19-21, Paul went on to provide some examples by which to evaluate our Christian walk. He said, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

So, in Galatians chapter 5, Paul spelled out what bad fruit looks like; however, he continued to discuss the good fruit that believers should be bearing. In Galatians 5:22-25, he stated, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Based on what Paul said, if someone is still bearing bad fruit instead of the fruit of the Spirit, then that person’s faith should be in question. One’s fruit is our basis for making a spiritual evaluation concerning an individual’s walk with God.

In verse 45, Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” One of the best ways to know where a person’s heart really lies is by listening to how he or she talks. A Christian might say some slightly borderline things at church; but the most unscrupulous speech will be saved for later, on the streets or in the workplace. So, if you work with fellow church members, then pay close attention. Once you make an evaluation, you are supposed to confront them. Jesus said in Luke 17:3, “If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” Sins “against you,” or sins “period,” the principle is still the same; he or she must be confronted.