Sin is hard to talk about. It’s hard to bring up. There were times in history when a Christian would be expected to be opposed to doing certain things, based on her belief in the Bible. But, those days seem to have passed. Now it seems that Christians aren’t allowed to be opposed to anything because in saying that there’s anything out there that we SHOULDN’T do, we are, by default, somehow “judging” someone who is doing those things.
I have experienced this myself in blogging. If I write a post calling myself and my fellow Christians to refrain from engaging in behavior or thinking or attitudes that the Bible clearly says are sinful, the first objection to the post will be a comment telling me that I can’t judge. That I must think I’m perfect. That I have a holier-than-thou attitude. That Jesus wouldn’t judge. That only God can judge. That I am turning people away from Christianity. That this is what’s wrong with Christians. That I should stop forcing my opinions on others.
But, here’s the truth about the ever popular cry, “Don’t judge me.” What you are really saying is, “Don’t look at my sin.” It is an attempt to deflect attention from the truth of the sin problem.
When we are confronted with our sin, it hurts. We’re embarrassed and convicted. But, most of all, we justify our sin in our minds. We explain to ourselves all of the reasons that what we’re doing isn’t so bad. And, one of our favorite justifications is, “Well, they shouldn’t be judging me, anyway. Who do they think they are?” And, we think back on every imperfect thing we’ve ever seen them do (or if they’re a stranger, we imagine all of the imperfect things), and we make the whole thing about how this person has committed the ultimate offense of daring to talk about what anyone may be doing.
All the while, we are managing to draw attention away from the sin that we should be confronting in our own lives.
I don’t write or speak in order to judge anyone. I do it because talking about the Bible is what Christians do. Looking for better and more fruitful ways to live the Christian life is what we do. Thinking through sin struggles and trust issues and a general lack of holiness is what we must do in order to grow in Christ.
Basically, though, it is really irrelevant whether one of my blog posts makes you feel judged or not. The real question is: is sin sin? And, does it need to be cut out of our lives?
If you believe the Bible and want to live according to God’s standards, then you must agree that sin is bad and God hates it. So, don’t follow the trend of using “Judge not lest you be judged” as your answer to every call to live in purity and holiness. In doing that you are completely missing the forest for the trees. You may be harshly judged from all sides for your choices. Me, too. But, we can’t refuse to hear the truth that someone may be speaking to us just because we feel judged.
After all, we all make judgments, every single day.
However, you are right in thinking that only God can really judge you. His word does. And, it also offers grace and mercy and love and the only remedy for our sin: Jesus Christ. When He lives in us, we have the power to change, to cut out those sins that keep us from knowing our Savior more. But, not if we are so offended by the truth that we refuse to listen to it.
Sin hurts us. It hurts others. It hurts our relationship with God. And, a big part of our job as Christians is to hold each other accountable to the truth of the Bible. Call it judging if you want. But, don’t miss the point. Look beyond your defenses and examine yourself. And, don’t let the “judging” messenger kill the truth of the message in your heart.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
OUTSTANDING Melissa!!! One of the top 5 greatest lies ever told by the devil. A context and exposition free mangling of Jesus words “Judge not”.
Thanks, Greg!
Sin hurts us. It hurts others. It hurts our relationship with God. And, a big part of our job as Christians is to hold each other accountable to the truth of the Bible. Call it judging if you want. But, don’t miss the point. Look beyond your defenses and examine yourself. And, don’t let the “judging” messenger kill the truth of the message in your heart.
So true Melissa. All of it. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you, Cheryl!
This is so true and used so often by other Christians to justify sin.!
Thanks for reading and for your comment, Keri!
What’s worse than being judged by us is being judged by God (and he has all the right to!). He shows no partiality and he sees the secrets of our hearts. Would you rather that?
Amen !!! Mt Heart is broken by what is going on around us today, and like you, when I see something that needs to be addressed such as a quote from those wishing to preach to itching ears shall we say, I try to speak the truth in love, and confront it with Biblical truth and the backlash is often incredible.But I speak the truth because I know that the truth shall set them free.Like you I am accused of judging and being hateful, bigoted… Thank you for your blogs and speaking the truth.
This is awesome. I struggle with this. All I speak is God’s truth, my experiences with him, etc. and it’s “Are you judging me?” or ” Dont Judge!”. Thats not even my intention, ever..I just want us all to focus on pleasing Him.
Last year, God gave me a dream of a new place where people were looking up at the sky crying out asking where their loved one(s) were. Not everyone will make it. And since that dream, I have a heart for trying to speak God always to encourage people to get really right with him. Only he truly knows. Its from love and obedience of my Father. It’s not easy though.
Another dream, people heard that Jesus was coming back. They were all awaiting him at this park/river. Well, Jesus came as a mighty wind in a cloud, and I stood there, marvelled and ready, and other people ran. I woke up distraught because I understood that people arent ready for his return and the fact that they would run from someone so loving, kind, peaceful, etc. is heartbreaking. I want everyone to really know Him so they dont have to leave their loves ones behind and that others dont have to run from Him.
Anyway, thank you for an encouraging article. God led me here. God bless you and all that you are doing for Him.
I enjoyed what you wrote. I am a Christian and agree with you that we are not to judge others, but realize our desire is to share the word of God to others and let the Holy Spirit convict them of their sin. As it says in Romans 1:18, that men suppress the truth in unrighteousness because they just don’t want to hear God’s word. I won’t argue with anyone, but just try to speak the truth of God’s word in love to others. Only the Holy Spirit can bring conviction upon their hearts, but as long as they choose to reject the truth of God, all yo can do is pray for them and let them see Christ in you.
I am so thankful you wrote this. It clarifies exactly what my daughter in law has been wrongly accusing me of. She claims to be a Christian but I’ve never seen any fruit. Now I’m not going to say she’s not a Christian. But I do have my quiet doubts. When I state something that she has previously done she says I’m judging her. Which actually makes me quietly doubt her Salvation. Why so defensive? Right? She’s making it harder and harder to even like her especially when she takes my granddaughter away from visiting for a very very long time. (Months) I feel much better after reading this. Once we get on terms again, I just might share this with her so she can see that shess using the word completely wrong. Thanks for the article!