I think it's up to your god to decide that not you.
Why is it you people always forget the judge not stuff?
Many people conclude that making judgments on anyone (especially coming from Christians) is wrong because the Bible says ”judge not” (Matthew 7:1).
answersingenesis.org
He already did decide that.
We live in a world that increasingly strives to (supposedly) promote the idea of tolerance, but actually becomes intolerant of Christian absolutes as it does so. Whether it involves religion, behavior, or human sexuality, there is a growing anti-Christian sentiment in America and other Western nations. Ultimately, built into this “tolerance” is the concept that truth is determined by each individual, not by God. This has led many people to conclude that making judgments on anyone (especially coming from Christians) is wrong because the Bible says ”judge not” (
Matthew 7:1). Interestingly enough, those who reject the notion of
God or the credibility of the
Bible often attempt to use God’s Word (e.g., by quoting verses out of context) to excuse their actions when they are presented with the
gospel and the plight of sinners for rejecting it.
When a Christian lovingly and graciously presents the gospel to unbelievers, a judgment is made regarding their standing with God. The Bible clearly declares that all men are sinners, have fallen short of the glory of God, and are in need of redemption from their sins (
Romans 3:23). This judgment is not made from the opinion of the
Christian who is presenting the gospel but rather by what the Bible clearly declares.
The claim that Christians are not to judge is often made when dealing with issues such as abortion, adultery, homosexual behavior, and same-sex marriage. When a Christian says, for example, that homosexual behavior is a
sin and that same-sex marriage is wrong, he or she is often met with objections like the following:
- “Who are you to judge two people who love each other?”
- “Who do you think you are, telling someone who they can and cannot love? You’re a sinner, too!”
- “Someone’s private life is none of your business. Don’t judge them.”
Some people will even quote
Matthew 7:1, where Christ said during the Sermon on the Mount, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Of course, when they quote this verse in regard to such situations, they take it out of context to support their fallacious claims. When we consider the concept of judging, especially as it relates to the Sermon on the Mount, Christ tells us to be discerning, not condemning.
There are significant logical problems with the claim that believers should not make judgments. The first becomes evident when we read the context of
Matthew 7:1.
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me remove the speck from your eye”; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (
Matthew 7:1–5)
Here, Christ is warning believers against making judgments in a hypocritical or condemning manner. That type of judging is a characteristic often associated with the Pharisees during the ministry of Jesus. Many people who quote “judge not” from
Matthew 7:1 fail to notice the command to judge in
Matthew 7:5, when it says, “Then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” The point Jesus emphasizes here is to judge yourself first before you make judgments about others. (Also, notice the discernment and judgment required in
Matthew 7:15–16,
20.) In the broader context, Jesus is telling believers to be discerning when it comes to false teaching and false prophets because they “look” Christian, but their goal is to lead the flock astray (
Matthew 7:15–20;
Luke 6:43–45).