[You must read Part 1 (about the meaning of the word judge and judging ourselves first) and Part 2 (about judging believers). Part 3 today is about the difference in how we examine unbelievers and false teachers.]

For unbelievers, it is the same but different.

We can still inspect their fruit, but those outside the church cannot be held to the same standards as Christians. “For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges.” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13)

Therefore, we must not engage in childish quarrels. We can engage in conversations about what we believe regarding God’s moral code. But for those who don’t follow that, it will not make sense.

“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:9-11)

Unfortunately for those who don’t like being judged, they’re in for a rude awakening one day when they come face to face with the ultimate judgment.  

Jesus says, ”The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” (John 12:48)

What do we do in the meantime?

We pray and rely on the Holy Spirit. When an unbeliever feels convicted it will be because God is working on his or her heart. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit, “When He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). When Jesus speaks He is simply calling the lost to open their heart to Him; to confess their sins and turn to repentance towards Him as Savior and Lord of their life. Jesus says in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

If Jesus said not to judge others, then why would he say things like this:

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

He could not have said this to His disciples when he sent them out to minister to communities and expected at the same time that they would refrain from making any sort of judgment about the people they come in contact with.

In Matthew 16 Jesus also said, “Beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees”, His very words encouraged discrimination, examination and careful judgment of the hypocrisy coming from the religious elite.

For anyone who says Jesus doesn’t judge, here’s one statement He made to scribes and Pharisees, “For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27b-28).

With False Teachers, our responsibility is even greater.

Jesus tells us we’ll recognize them by their fruit also, “Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16-20)

Why is it important to recognize them? Jesus said, “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven;” (Matthew 5:19)

There is stricter judgment for teachers. If a false teacher is acting out of ignorance, our call to repentance is out of a loving responsibility. Look what James says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1) Shepherds are held to a higher standard for how they lead or mislead their flock. Before we jump to conclusions and slander, we can first assume that maybe they just don’t know.

However, the straight truth is that those who knowingly alter or contradict God’s teachings, are against God. If we are with God then we (shepherds) will teach His word faithfully. “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.” (2 John 1:9) Jesus says, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.” (John 14:23)

It’s not easy to identify false teachers. If you read Jude, he tells us they have crept in to the church unnoticed, “Ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:4) In verse 8 though he gives us some character traits. “These people rely on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.” I like how the Living Translation Bible renders it, “false teachers carelessly go right on living their evil, immoral lives, degrading their bodies and laughing at those in authority over them, even scoffing at the Glorious Ones (angels).”

What is our responsibility when we identify someone who teaches doctrine contrary to God’s word?

Well, we judge. We test the spirits to see whether they are from God. (1 John 4:1)

Then, we take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5:11)

We help people avoid them. (2 Timothy 3:5)

We don’t let them in our houses (or temples). “He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” (2 John 1:10-11)

“They [false teachers] must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.” (Titus 1:11) We are called to “rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” (Titus 1:13) “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (Titus 1:16)

Conclusion

I know this isn’t what we like to hear. People prefer meek, weak, and mild Christians. The slightest speak up nowadays results in a Christian being labeled as insensitive, exclusive, and “judgmental.”

That’s even more evidence that culture has inoculated churches. God is both good and severe. Jesus is both the lamb and the lion. As devoted followers we are to make disciples not just believers. That requires both saying and doing.

We have a great responsibility entrusted to us. And it’s not to stand by idle. Answering people’s questions is not the same thing as passing judgment. 1 Peter 3:15 states, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and respect.”

As for believers we are called to speak the truth in love in order to help one another grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)  We must do it out of gentleness and respect because it’s from there that God’s love leads people to repentance. When our hearts are in the right place, we do not come from a place of condemnation, but concern and care for another’s relationship with the Lord.

As for Unbelievers, look what Paul tells Timothy about this same demeanor. “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:23-25)

If an unbeliever “asks” how we feel about something that the world approves of – something which we know is a sin according to the Bible – then we should answer their question, being honest about what we believe. Stating God’s Truth is not judging. If the person feels judged, then perhaps what they’re experiencing is the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit.

Should we always do it? There’s a time and place for everything, but I personally believe it’s usually better to say something rather than nothing. Just like we don’t have the power to truly save someone, I don’t believe we have the power to push someone away from God either. His Grace is way more powerful and will override any mistakes we make.

As you can see, there is a way, demeanor, approach, and standard for when and how we judge.

There is also a call to.

And depending on who we are dealing with, a greater responsibility to.

I wish we didn’t have to either. My natural self could care less about what people say and do. But my born-again self leads me otherwise.

So, next time someone says you don’t have the right to judge, I think you can feel more confident in correcting them by saying, “That’s not true. Want me to walk you through it?”

Here’s all the biblical evidence laid out for you. As always, it’s not my word. It’s His.

Digest it and share it. And it may just be an absolute game-changer for you and everyone in your life.

It’s not about us,

God Bless,

Coach Theo