Open My Eyes That I May See — Joslin Grove Choral Society

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Judging — A Biblical Reminder

1 Corinthians 5:12 (ESV):

“For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”

Recent events have raised questions about when and how Christians should judge. The Bible clearly distinguishes between final divine judgment (God’s alone) and the responsibility believers have to evaluate, correct, and preserve the purity and teaching of the church.

John 7:24 (ESV):

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Jesus commands right judgment — discerning truth from error — and Paul repeatedly instructs the church to judge within. That calling falls to pastors and leaders, but also to all Christians who care for the health of the local body. Our judgments must be rooted in Scripture, made humbly, and carried out lovingly and responsibly.

Key biblical areas where sober, righteous judgment is required include:

• Assessing false teaching and doctrine (Matt 7:15–16; 2 Cor 11:4).
• Discernment in worship and preaching (1 Cor 14:29).
• Church discipline and disputes between believers (1 Cor 5; 1 Cor 6:1–8).
• Exposing works of darkness while maintaining hope for repentance (Eph 5:11).

Matthew 7:1–2 (ESV) — Context on judging:

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

Jesus warns against hypocritical and self-righteous judging. True, righteous judgment always examines motives and aims toward restoration, never vindictive condemnation.

Life Application

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 5:12–13; John 7:24

Practical Takeaway: Practice Scriptural discernment: protect your church from false teaching, restore sinners in love, and entrust final judgment to God.

• ✔️ Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom before forming a judgment.
• ✔️ Check Scripture. Measure teaching and behavior against the Bible first.
• ✔️ Engage leaders. When concerns arise, bring them to pastors or elders first.
• ✔️ Aim to restore. Discipline is for repentance and reconciliation, not shame.
• ✔️ Keep humility. Avoid hypocritical or impulsive condemnation.

Cleanse Me [Live] — Bill & Gloria Gaither (ft. Glen Payne, George Younce)

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Acknowledgments

We thank:

• Pixabay for free, high-quality artwork.
• AZ Quotes for quotations when appropriate.
• YouTube Gospel Music for beautiful worship music.

For additional study, see GotQuestions.org — try searches such as “How can we judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24)”, “What does the Bible mean when it says, ‘Do not judge’?”, and “What does it mean that judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17)”.