To say that we are not supposed to judge is a falsity that is clearly brought to light with only a little effort.

To judge simply means to make a decision. We judge people and things everyday of our lives, and rightfully so, for if we didn't how would we determine when to discipline our children? How would we decide who to vote for or what charities to support? On a basic natural level, we must judge in order to function.

On a Christian level, judging is just as important, if not more so as we bring into the equation matters of an eternal nature. On a personal level, I must pass judgment on myself and the choices I make in my relationship with God, fellow believers and the lost. On an interrelation level, we must also, pass judgment on the choices that our fellow believers make. If we do not, how can we call them our brother, if we do not concern ourselves with the well-being of their soul? If my brother is walking in sin, but I (out of fear of being judgmental) say nothing to him, he will continue in the sin and jeopardize his soul. If, however, I do correct him, he will then have the opportunity to pass judgment on my rebuke and adjust his course accordingly.

On a Christian to non-Christian level, judgment becomes no less important, but it does take on a different attitude. The world is full of sin, and I would be a fool to expect them to live non worldly lives. They do not know anything but sin. My priority is to live a holy life and to be a light when at all possible. The very act of living a holy life, will indeed make the worldly person feel judged, this is not wrong on my part and I should in no way compromise the holiness of my life and convictions to appease those who are worldly.

I must also, when engaging in a personal witness with a worldly person, I must be every mindful to not condone the worldly lifestyles they have chosen, lest they see not the danger it affords their soul. I must present to them the truth of their sin and the judgment it will incur from God. It is not my judgment that is being passed but the judgment of God pertaining to their sin. If I were to sugar coat their sin in an attempt to be less judgmental, I would do a disservice to God, and an injustice to the worldly person, endangering their soul. If however, I present the truth of their situation to them, I have afforded them the chance to embrace the saving sacrifice of Christ and in doing soul save their soul.

All of this is a result of judging. I judge myself to ensure that I am right with God. I judge my brother to help him maintain rightness with God (praying that he will return the favor and judge me also). Finally, I judge the lost, that they are indeed lost, and present them with the judgment of God on their lives, that without repentance and turning to God they will indeed perish.

We see now that judging is important, the importance grows greatly when we bring love into the equation. If I am to love my neighbor as myself, and I am supposed to love my fellow brethren, then would I not be inclined to pass judgment on them? For how could I say I loved them if I allowed them to continue in that which will bring them harm or cause them pain? Would I not want someone to point out the errors of my life so that I can avoid the flames of hell? Then to love them as myself would require I do the same for them. Would it not?

It seems the crux of the issue is this; do you want to be judged? It seems that our answer as a church has become no. We are afraid to be judged ourselves so we refuse to judge so that when one tries to judges us we can say judge not, lest you be judged.