John 3:19-21 English Standard Version

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

If we seek to discover what to judge then the scriptures make it plain to understand. Something important needs a simple understanding to get all of our concerns answered. Here John makes it plain as day, “this is the judgment”.

The third chapter of John is loaded with extremely important information. From the moment that Nicoldemus comes to Jesus until the secret to eternal life in verse 36, it has been made perfectly clear what is important to God and how He has planned to achieve His will.

Taking everything we have learned about God and His ways, our spiritual eyes and ears are able to judge when God is at work in front of us.

1 Corinthians 10:27 English Standard Version (ESV) If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

We will find ourselves developing relationships with unbelievers and in doing so, we must not judge their motives but to use the opportunity to see into their lives and discover if God has touched some part of their lives that will welcome the true light. Judge if God is at work in their lives rather than what they do.

Colossians 4:6 English Standard Version (ESV) Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Remember who you represent.

Matthew 21:23 English Standard Version

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”

This event is consistently repeated in the gospels of Mark and Luke. It is an important issue with our life with Christ because we as servants of Christ, as ministers of the gospel, as shepherds over His sheep, and teachers and elders, His authority has been passed down to us in service in the will of God. He commands us to speak on His behalf.

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 English Standard Version

2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

Before we run afoul of truth in scriptures by assuming that we may go about judging everything, let us look to the one important matter hidden within these verses. That is the matter of competency. 

Having authority does not guarantee that we are competent. Maturity and wisdom are key factors in rendering just judgments. Total submission to the One who has granted us authority to judge the world will keep our judgments just. Obedience of faith has to hold sway over our emotional attachments.

Matthew 7:1-2 English Standard Version

Judging Others

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

There is more advice to take to heart in Matthew 7 and it should be no surprise that verse 12 is the Golden Rule. I dare say I need not quote it because it has been repeated many times by many people, even the unbelieving.

One of the sayings in chapter seven indicates to be careful with what you say because unbelievers will throw it back in your face. (My paraphrase.)