By What Standard Do You Judge?

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

Lu 12:57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

In order to judge properly, there must be some set standard set from which to compare and gauge ones conclusions. Not only should there be a standard set, but there must be some understanding of the realm in which one is to judge.

If one is to judge a dog show, there must be some standard by which to compare the dogs in the show by. One might be called upon to judge in civil court, or criminal court. If one is to judge coins, there must again be some standard set as to how to evaluate their worth. If one were to judge coins by the standards set at a dog judging contest, what would be the result?

We are physical beings and we are moral beings. We are called upon in some cases to be the judge of both, the physical abilities and characteristics of the physical, and the moral character as well. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder it is said, but what about in the case of morals? What is it that separates the realm of morals from say any other physical realm? What standard do we use, and what tools do we have at our disposal that enable us to judge in this world as to the moral qualities of actions, both of ourselves and the choices of others? By what standard do you judge in the realm of morals?

 

[Brother Bob]

Well HP;
That question could be all over the place. We judge every day of our lives. If you live in the city, you walking down the alley and meet someone, you immediately judge whether they will do you harm or not.
Judging whether someone is going to heaven or not is not ours to do, but belongs to the Lord himself "who art thou oh man that would judge another man's servant".

Now, we do judge others according to our righteous standards and what we believe the scriptures mean as "ye shall know a tree by the fruit it bears".

If we see someone drunk we judge that man is not a christian if we don't believe in "drunk christians" as I do.

I guess every man on this earth judges different than the next man. I really never thought of it that way but after thinking about it there is not two alike on this earth so how could we judge the same. That is why I am glad it is God that does the final judging whether we are saved or not for if it were left up to us we would do a miserable job. amen,

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

Brother Bob: I guess every man on this earth judges different than the next man. I really never thought of it that way but after thinking about it there is not two alike on this earth so how could we judge the same. That is why I am glad it is God that does the final judging whether we are saved or not for if it were left up to us we would do a miserable job. amen

,

HP: If God knew all we could be is miserable judges, why would he say that we will judge angels and tell us to judge ourselves and even others under certain conditions? He must have more confidence in our abilities than we do some times.

Let’s pretend for a minute that we have never read Scripture or know anything about the plan of salvation. Scripture tells us that the heathen that do not have the law do the things in the law therefore have became law unto themselves. Consider for a minute how this might be possible. By what knowledge would any light come to them that would be a sure guide to at least a sprinkling of truth in judgment? By what means do they judge, and judge properly at least to some extent?

 

[LeBuick]

If God knew all we could be is miserable judges, why would he say that we will judge angels and tell us to judge ourselves and even others under certain conditions? He must have more confidence in our abilities than we do some times.

I think you're missing the point completely, the NT and particularly Jesus is trying to tell us not to judge at all. The point of telling you to judge yourself is to get you to see you have faults also. It boils down to what gives us any right to judge anyone while we ourselves are not without fault. Rmember, it was not your righteousness but the rightenouss of Christ that you made you pure...

Read Jesus' teaching carefully;

Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

He is saying don't judge anybody because you yourself can't stand up to judgement.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Again, he says keep this in mind, what ever stick you use to judge your fellowman will be used to judge you also. Don't consider that stick to be a drinking stick and because you don't drink you're ok, the stick only says SIN. And all have sinned and come short of his glory... You say you didn't sin and you call God a liar.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

How do you see the sin's of your brother while you yourself have sin in you?

4 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?
5 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.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

I think you get my point, now let's look at Jesus use this principle in practicle application;

John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Notice Jesus never said she was not without sin. In fact, he tells her not to sin any more so he acknowledges she did sin. However, he says the only way you ought to judge her is if you yourself is without sin. So you if you have no sin, cast the first rock. No one could cast a stone because noone could measure up to not having sin.

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

Le Buick: It boils down to what gives us any right to judge anyone while we ourselves are not without fault.

HP: Are you saying that we should throw out our court system as totally unable to administer justice due to man’s inability you say exists to judge properly? Are you saying that when Scripture tells us that if we would judge ourselves we would not have to be judged that what it really means is that we are incapable of judging ourselves or any other?

When Paul told the Church at Corinth that if they would not judge the matter, he would when he got there, was he simply beside himself?

 

[Brother Bob]

Let’s pretend for a minute that we have never read Scripture or know anything about the plan of salvation. Scripture tells us that the heathen that do not have the law do the things in the law therefore have became law unto themselves. Consider for a minute how this might be possible. By what knowledge would any light come to them that would be a sure guide to at least a sprinkling of truth in judgment? By what means do they judge, and judge properly at least to some extent?

There is a Spirit in man the inspiration of God almighty that giveth him understanding. We have a concious that leads us in how we judge others. When I answered I didn't answer as a personal thing but as an inclusive of all answer to which there would be many different answers. A lot of things would control that whether you use scripture or not. Our upbringing, enviroment and those around us, our parents even what had happened to us personally growing up. I really don't know what you are looking for HP. I think I would judge someone according to what my concious told me was right and wrong. I think, even the courts and laws were probably derived from the concious of men. There is evil in the world alright and some men would judge you in an evil manner but I really think most would give you a fair judgement in all matters.

What LeBuick is talking about and I can't speak for him but I think it mostly concerns judging who is righteous and who is not, who is saved and who is not.

You can use one Scripture where it says to "judge not lest ye be judged" but then it also says if you judge give a "righteous judgement". So, there are things that only God can judge and there are things that men must and do judge. Some say they don't judge, but in fact we all judge every day of our lives, it is impossible to get through this life without judging.

I say, use your concious and give a fair judgement to all men.

 

[Jim1999]

It appears that it has been some time since we last read Job. What an excellent picture of casting judgement by the natural man. Finally, the judgement ends up in Job's understanding of the situation in the light of divine revelation.

Cheers,

Jim

And join the Job society...not the hangons, but the actual job society. I don't think we would go far wrong in our judgements.

 

[DHK]

James 2:2-4 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

One cannot judge by outward appearance. To do so is sin. God looks upon the heart. This is one teaching that the second chapter of James drives home. Only God knows the heart.
DHK

 

[gekko]

by what standard?

the moral law and 1timothy 3:16 as a guideline.

just make sure you're not in the same sin as the one you are judging against for then you've failed to see the plank in your own eye.

 

[LeBuick]

HP: Are you saying that we should throw out our court system as totally unable to administer justice due to man’s inability you say exists to judge properly? Are you saying that when Scripture tells us that if we would judge ourselves we would not have to be judged that what it really means is that we are incapable of judging ourselves or any other?

When Paul told the Church at Corinth that if they would not judge the matter, he would when he got there, was he simply beside himself?

No, not at all. Of course our legal system is carnal and not God ordained. Bob is correct, when we judge we try to label folks with who is righteous, who is saved, who is godly etc...

There is a time to determine who is right and wrong, especially when there is a disagreement. The correct way is to try and see both sides and naver just the people themselves, just the act.

It goes back to God loving the sinner and not the sin. We should look at the action and not the person. An action can be wrong but we trust the person is saved (or not, but that is not our call).

 

[LeBuick]

It appears that it has been some time since we last read Job. What an excellent picture of casting judgement by the natural man. Finally, the judgement ends up in Job's understanding of the situation in the light of divine revelation.

Cheers,

Jim

And join the Job society...not the hangons, but the actual job society. I don't think we would go far wrong in our judgements.

i was praying on him the other day. i think Job has much to teach modern man especially about patiently waiting on the Lord. i often use him to show who will stick by you when the road get's rough. Job is a very good book and I'm so greatful it made the Bible.

 

[LeBuick]

just make sure you're not in the same sin as the one you are judging against for then you've failed to see the plank in your own eye.

Again, this is where I disagree. Sin is sin. It doesn't matter if you're in the same sin, you sin. Jesus didn't say if you didn't commit adultry cast the first stone, he said if you are without sin. The plank doesn't have to be the same plank, any plank with distort your view.

 

[gekko]

oh. LeBuick i know what you're getting at.

sin is sin is sin is sin.

but the sin of adultery is different then stealing.

i know Jesus didn't say go and never commit adultery again.

which is why 1john 3:6-9 comes into play

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

Gekko: i know Jesus didn't say go and never commit adultery again.

which is why 1john 3:6-9 comes into play

HP: What??