“Dr. Dixie, I can’t stand people who constantly criticize anyone who does things differently than they would. Doesn’t the Bible say we’re not to judge? Where do they get off telling me that I’m wrong? I don’t see anyone— especially preachers— living a perfect life either! What can I say to make them stop?”
The question about judging frequently surfaces in both Christian and non-Christian discussions. The phrase “judge not that you be not judged” is a partial—and inaccurate—quote from Matthew 7. The entire instruction given in the chapter is that before we criticize the splinter of wrong behavior or attitudes in someone else’s life, we are to recognize and remove the log of wrong behavior and attitudes in our own life.
Matthew 7:1 is wrongly understood to say, “we should accept others and not be self-righteous.” Relativism interprets this to mean, “because no one is perfect, there is no one qualified to notice or name sin in anyone else’s life.” This misunderstanding of Scripture results in tolerance of sinful behavior; a problem that is especially grievous within the Body of Christ. Whether we like it or not, teachers and those in ministry are held to a higher standard of conduct, with a greater level of accountability (James 3:1).
Matthew 7:1-5 is not saying that we must be behaviorally perfect before recognizing sin in others; rather, it is confronting the problem of criticizing others habitually without making a distinction between our own personal comfort zone and what the Bible describes as true sin.
(Matthew 7:1-5 THE MESSAGE) “Don’t constantly jump on people’s failures unless you want the same treatment. A critical spirit will boomerang. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face while being oblivious to your own ugly sneer. Do you have the nerve to say to someone, ‘Let me wash your face’ when yours is distorted by contempt? Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face…to be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.”
Spiritual ignorance and immaturity keeps us from gaining confidence in the complete cleansing we received at salvation. The nagging sense of guilt that is so common among believers makes us feel unworthy to confront sin. “After all,” we say, “nobody’s perfect. Live and let live.” The buzz-word for the 2020’s is “You do you.” Spiritual ignorance, coupled with pride, fear of failure and super-sensitivity to criticism, creates an atmosphere that makes beneficial spiritual correction impossible.
Believers are not to angrily criticize the behavior of unbelievers even when we feel their criticism! They do not yet understand the love-walk our Father has called us to. And as “body parts” in Christ (Romans 12, 14; 1 Corinthians 12) we are to hold each other accountable to the walk of integrity in Christ that we have agreed to in Christ. That requires righteous judgment God’s solution is not to ignore sin and avoid making judgments concerning it. Rather, we are instructed to grow in the confidence of our salvation and increase in accurate knowledge of what God’s Word identifies as right or wrong so that we can be obedient to Jesus’ instruction to “judge righteously”.
Self-righteous judgment criticizes simply because we “don’t feel that it’s right”, an assessment based far more on personal opinion rather than accurate Biblical truth.
It is our Father God’s desire that we grow up; able to enjoy good spiritual health. A regular assessment of our behavior by mature believers is God’s “family plan” for training in righteousness. Without judgment of sinful behavior within the family of God, we can’t grow up.
Infinite Grace Ministries teaches how the loving, righteous judgment of God sets things right in our lives. Call 580-774-2884 for more information about your one-on-one appointment with Dr. Dixie, Robert Huckleberry or Ellen Vanderveer today! media use, says Tom Cooper, PhD, author of How to Clear Your Mind and Invigorate Your Life in an Age of Media Overload. “Your family will become closer, you’ll save time, sleep better, feel healthier, and probably even lose weight.”
If technology is adversely affecting communication in your family, a media journal is a good place to begin reducing screen time. Dieters track food consumption to know what and where to cut back. Beginning a family media diet by tracking usage can be quite an eye-opener. We’re often unaware how much time we spend on the internet, TV, and texting. Keeping a record of when a device being used and for how long, will give each one a better idea of how time is being spent. After logging for five days, decide as a family how you can spend more time engaging without screens.
Call 580-774-2884 to learn how to reduce technology-time, giving you more time to enjoy God and people.
