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Judging Right From Wrong
Are you Judging others when you do this?
Are we no longer supposed to Judge right from wrong?
Catholics and non-catholics are often accused of “Judging” others when we take a stand on certain issues (i.e. abortion, gay marriage, closed communion, etc.) We are told that we are going against what the Bible (examples: Matt 7:1 or Luke 6:37) teaches about judging others. While it is absolutely true that we are not to judge or cast condemnation on others for their sins (see John 5:22 below) we should and are required to judge truth from error. It’s important to remember that judging truth from error is not the same thing as condemning someone for their sins as many people try to imply. When someone makes this argument they are misunderstanding basic Christian theology and are ignoring what the bible says regarding the judgment of truth from error.
Here are a few Bible verses which are most often quoted out of context to "prove" that we should not "judge" right from wrong:
“The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22)
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” (Matt 7:1-2)
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;” (Like 6:37)
Some Bible Verses which back up the belief of judging truth from error:
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Matt 18:15-17) This verse makes no sense if we are forbidden to judge wrong (sin) from right (truth)!
“Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, You have judged rightly.” (Luke 7:43) Jesus speaking to Peter.
“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24)
“Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” (John 7: 51) Shall we do away with our justice system because it judges right from wrong?
“But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge “(Acts 4:19)
“And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.” (Acts 16:15)
"I speak as to sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say.” (1Cor 10:15)
“and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32) We are required to judge truth from error. If not how can we be set free?
“who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1Tim2:4) In order to come to the knowledge of truth we must judge right from wrong. If we are unsure what the truth is we look to the Church which is guided infallible by the Holy Spirit to guide us to salvation (See Matt 18:15-17 & & Matt 16:18)
"We are of God. Whoever knows God listens to us, and he who is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (1John 4:16)
"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died". (1 Cor. 11:27-30). This verse backs up the Catholic teachings that we should not receive the Eucharist if we are in a state of mortal sin or if we do not believe everything which the Catholic Church teaches.
Something else to consider............
When someone accuses you of being judgemental are they not also being judgemental? If we are not to judge truth from error then who are they to be judging us! Are they not being hypocritical?
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