We must realize when we became Christians that it might cost us something; salvation is free but not cheap. We will have to take stands when the truth or testimony of Jesus is at stake; it is the coward who stands by and stays neutral. Remember, Christians are on Satan's hit list and can even use believers for evil by inspiration or enticement. Christ calls us to be advocates and come to the aid of each other. God can deal with someone willing to take a stand, even if wrong, but not cowards who are really weak-willed and wishy-washy. ("Stand up, stand up for Jesus!") Recall Pontius Pilate washing his hands of the affair. Jesus rebukes the Laodiceans in Rev. 3:19 because He doesn't know where they stand. We cannot be on both sides of an issue. Christians must defend each other and come to their aid when an adversary comes in aggressive attack mode.
What Satan specializes in is mind-games and psychological warfare--he likes to mess with our minds! He accuses but doesn't convict--the Holy Spirit will perform an open-and-shut case without a doubt of a sin, not just try to make you feel bad or guilty. Does Scripture have a basis in the judgment or not? Our judgments are not to get personal and not related to the Word by way of criticism.
Sometimes we can be right but say it in the wrong way. Methodology is important to God ("Quench not the Spirit"), and He looks at the heart and not at the appearance as man sees--is the heart in the right place, not whether he made a mistake or did something in error. One of the worst sins is betrayal or squealing on someone or to get personal revenge or get even--fight your own battles and if you hold something against someone, keep it between you and the person in question. If someone is not part of the problem or of the solution it can become gossip. If we don't stand up and defend the truth, our friends, and even what we believe in, what makes us think we will stand up for Jesus.
When we do judge we are to make sure we are right and do it in the Spirit of love ("Speak the truth in love" according to Ephesians 4:15--what is our motive?). Remember also that Jesus also said, "When you judge, judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). When we are called to show a brother his fault or the error of his way we should avoid labeling ("You theologian!") or any insults and name calling--we must resort to Scripture and how it applies.
God will judge those who are outside the church, but judging per se is impossible to avoid because then we would show no discernment and fall prey to the devil and be under his condemnation. If a man claims to be a Christian and is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness (cf. Gal. 6:1). If we are too strict or harsh in our judgment (in the measure we use it shall return to us), God may hold us accountable. Above all, we must practice what we preach and not condemn ourselves by judging someone and doing the same thing in turn as hypocrites. If you tell someone to repent, for example, you are required to make sure you need no repentance and are righteous in God's eyes (righteousness consists in having a right relationship with God and being at peace with man as far as it is possible with you).
We must not justify our own sin (one psalmist said that the people loved their sin too much to detect it). "For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated" (Psalm 36:2, ESV). We all have a sin which easily besets us (cf Heb. 12:1), but when we sin we show our slavery and don't demonstrate our freedom. If you are a slave to sin, how can Jesus be Lord--"For sin shall have no dominion over you, for you are not under the Law but under grace." "His name shall be called Jesus because He shall save His people from their sins." Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death (cf. Romans 8:2). Christ sets us free from our old sin nature at salvation (the old man) and restores us with a new nature in His likeness.
We are all works in progress (cut some slack!) and must realize that God isn't finished with us yet. The goal is to win him over not to alienate him or sever the relationship. Scripture exhorts us to make allowance for each other's faults and to accept one another even as Christ has accepted us. Most believers should be willing to take any admonishment if done in the Spirit and not resent it or do unto them as they have done unto you (the "iron rule"). We conquer evil with good and refrain from reviling or insulting in return. Soli Deo Gloria!
What Satan specializes in is mind-games and psychological warfare--he likes to mess with our minds! He accuses but doesn't convict--the Holy Spirit will perform an open-and-shut case without a doubt of a sin, not just try to make you feel bad or guilty. Does Scripture have a basis in the judgment or not? Our judgments are not to get personal and not related to the Word by way of criticism.
Sometimes we can be right but say it in the wrong way. Methodology is important to God ("Quench not the Spirit"), and He looks at the heart and not at the appearance as man sees--is the heart in the right place, not whether he made a mistake or did something in error. One of the worst sins is betrayal or squealing on someone or to get personal revenge or get even--fight your own battles and if you hold something against someone, keep it between you and the person in question. If someone is not part of the problem or of the solution it can become gossip. If we don't stand up and defend the truth, our friends, and even what we believe in, what makes us think we will stand up for Jesus.
When we do judge we are to make sure we are right and do it in the Spirit of love ("Speak the truth in love" according to Ephesians 4:15--what is our motive?). Remember also that Jesus also said, "When you judge, judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). When we are called to show a brother his fault or the error of his way we should avoid labeling ("You theologian!") or any insults and name calling--we must resort to Scripture and how it applies.
God will judge those who are outside the church, but judging per se is impossible to avoid because then we would show no discernment and fall prey to the devil and be under his condemnation. If a man claims to be a Christian and is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness (cf. Gal. 6:1). If we are too strict or harsh in our judgment (in the measure we use it shall return to us), God may hold us accountable. Above all, we must practice what we preach and not condemn ourselves by judging someone and doing the same thing in turn as hypocrites. If you tell someone to repent, for example, you are required to make sure you need no repentance and are righteous in God's eyes (righteousness consists in having a right relationship with God and being at peace with man as far as it is possible with you).
We must not justify our own sin (one psalmist said that the people loved their sin too much to detect it). "For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated" (Psalm 36:2, ESV). We all have a sin which easily besets us (cf Heb. 12:1), but when we sin we show our slavery and don't demonstrate our freedom. If you are a slave to sin, how can Jesus be Lord--"For sin shall have no dominion over you, for you are not under the Law but under grace." "His name shall be called Jesus because He shall save His people from their sins." Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death (cf. Romans 8:2). Christ sets us free from our old sin nature at salvation (the old man) and restores us with a new nature in His likeness.
We are all works in progress (cut some slack!) and must realize that God isn't finished with us yet. The goal is to win him over not to alienate him or sever the relationship. Scripture exhorts us to make allowance for each other's faults and to accept one another even as Christ has accepted us. Most believers should be willing to take any admonishment if done in the Spirit and not resent it or do unto them as they have done unto you (the "iron rule"). We conquer evil with good and refrain from reviling or insulting in return. Soli Deo Gloria!
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