Judgment Vs. Discernment

Thesis: We can discern right from wrong without judging the individual.

Intro.:

1. Have you ever tried to point out the truth to someone only to have them accuse you of judging them?

a. Illust. Suggesting to a co-worker that drinking and chasing women is wrong. (He's alcoholic/married!) "You're judging

me and you call yourself a Christian?" What do you say?

b. Illust. As a parent you approach your son about his punk hair style and the safety pin in his left ear--or your daughter about the string bikini she wants to wear to the mall. "You're judging us!" they cry. What do you say?

c. Illust. I once saw a local Boston TV talk show that featured homosexual teenagers talking about their life-styles. One even professed faith. When asked if he felt there was a conflict he said, "No, my God is a God of love. He accepts me just the way I am. Other people shouldn't judge me!"

2. Are you guilty of judging someone when you point out sinful behavior to them?

a. The answer to that question is ............. No.

b. When we are accused of judging 2 things often happen:

1) We back down (not wanting to disobey Mt. 7:1).

2) Other person no longer feels responsible for behavior.

c. POINT: Important that we know how to respond in these sit.

I. SCRIPTURE PLAINLY TEACHES THAT WE ARE TO JUDGE.

A. Some examples of when God expects judgment to take place:

1. Romans 13:1-4 ........... Government is to judge.

2. 1 Cor. 5:1-5, 12-13 ..... Church is to judge.

3. Matt. 7:15-20 ........... Christians to judge FT.

B. There are times when God expects us to judge.

1. Scripture does not contradict Scripture.

2. Verses telling us to judge & Matt. 7:1 not in conflict.

II. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE MEAN BY "JUDGING?"

A. "To judge" has a wide range of meaning in the NT:

1. BROAD ...... To make a decision.

a. 1 Cor. 2:2 .... "Determined to know nothing ..."

b. Acts 20:16 .... "Determined to sail by Ephesus ..."

2. SPECIFIC ... To condemn.

a. 2 Thess. 2:11-12 ..... "Damned who believe not ..."

b. John 3:16-17 ......... "Not to condemn world ..."

B. Which of these judgments are Christians to make/not make?

1. Not wrong to judge in the sense of making a decision.

2. Always wrong to judge in the sense of condemning.

C. Trite Christian phrase: "Love sinner, hate the sin."

Discerner/judger ------------------> "Fruit"

\ (good or bad)

\

\----------------------------> Person

(never condemn!)

III. THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS.

A. Jesus never condemned anybody.

1. Discerned their behavior, but didn't condemn (Jn. 3:17).

2. People judge/condemn themselves ! (John 12:46-48).

B. Two examples of Jesus loving sinner, hating sin.

1. John 4:1-42.

2. John 8:1-11.

IV. HOW MAY WE "LOVE THE SINNER, HATE THE SIN?"

A. Obey the Golden Rule (Matt. 7:12).

B. Be more aware of our own weaknesses (Gal. 6:1).

C. Know God better (2 Peter 3:9).

Conclusion:

1. World needs people who have firm moral convictions but can love people at the same time! (like Jesus!)

2. People like that are precious in God's sight--Salt of Earth!