There is a fine line between having prideful judgment and attempting to help your fellow man redirect from the worldly sin and temptation. Too many Christians deem themselves holy and virtuous enough to judge those around them. This is usually to the detriment of others being led to the knowledge and love that Jesus offers. It doesn’t express the true nature of God’s instruction, and it causes many to believe they are unworthy of the gift of salvation.

All believers know they will be judged by God, but there is great debate about the way in which we are suppose to judge each other. Condemnation or aiding in redirection? Who gets to determine the moments and obligations? How many sins does one have to be without in order to cast the first stone, or point out the plank in another’s eye? Where and when does love supersede the law, or does the law always supersede love?

There are many times this topic is addressed throughout the Bible. There is support for both schools of thought, and neither will likely concede. James discussed this briefly, calling sinners to repent, but more for us to love one another and not judge. We are unable to fully know the heart of the person and the intent of the law. The maker of the law is the only one who truly understands the reasoning and extent of why the law was put in place to begin with.

The best approach, to avoid falling into a mode of judgment, is biblical discernment. Not everything is what it seems to be. Opportunity to see past the shiny cover and sparkly accessories is critical to seeing truth, but even then, we have no idea where the heart of the person is. Judging action is different than judging the heart. Perceiving sin, praying, speaking life and loving the sinner, is what we are called to do. We all stumble and we all fall short.

Recognition of behaviors is within the realm that God calls Christians to judge and aid in repentance. Through the revelation of God’s goodness, repentance will be sought. He never calls us to condemn, and He speaks of the line in which we should not cross toward non-believers. Building another up is always more helpful than breaking them down. It is a reflection of the love and grace that we are given as believers.

There is a risk Christians take when they begin to judge their fellow Christians. God says very clearly that in the same way you judge your brother, you shall be judged. So there is a huge responsibility in choosing to cast judgement. Hypocrisy is a detriment to our faith. It pushes away the desire for fellowship and community. It causes a separation where there should be support and encouragement. The intention of the instruction often altered by pride instead of entered into with humility.

We all have walked paths that have led us to dark places at times, but hope is in the grace we are offered, and the knowledge we have gained. There will be opportunities to redirect, repent, and resist sin. God has granted us that. The way we speak into others should always be out of love. Nothing will be gained or grown through belittling or assumption. We will never know what someone else is experiencing, so we should never think we know better. The focus of judgement should always be inward first and foremost, because as the saying goes, “There but for the grace of God there go I.”.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9