Judge not, lest ye be judged

Are we to never judge? Some think that, but they're wrong. It is true, Biblically, that it is okay to "Judge". The "Judge not, lest ye be judged" applies to making a "final" judgment, as to whether the person in question is to be saved or not. It does not apply to day to day judgments.

Regular old judgments like "is the person who just ran off with my wallet a thief?" we are not only allowed to make, but are commanded to "judge in righteousness".

However, some kinds of judgment about a person's sinning status are not in righteousness. And, for full disclosure, I've sinned the sin of judging unrighteously before, and it's a sin I still work on to this very day.

1. If the thing you are judging them of is not a salvation issue. Such as if they are a poor dresser. Perhaps you are right, perhaps you are not, but it is not a salvation issue. It is not a "righteous" judgment, but just being judgmental.

2. If the thing you are judging them on might be a sin, but reasonable people could think that it was not. Such as the guy who doubles the price of the water and food he sells right after a hurricane. Does this reflect an honest assessment of greater costs, or is he trying to make a fast buck? Reasonable people could come to differing conclusions, only God knows for sure, therefore to judge would not be righteous, but only being judgmental.

3. If the thing you are judging them on is something you then trumpet about for they to be shamed in front of everyone. It is one thing to quietly judge that the little strumpet your son wants to date is, in actuality a strumpet. It would be quite another to post about her trampiness on social media, or to let the whole congregation know you think she is of loose virtue.

"Judging in righteousness" then, while allowed, and even commanded, should be done with great caution. In the case of the poor dresser, I'd not do it at all. In the case of the potential price gouger, I should phrase it as, "It appears such may be a possibility, but such is between he and his Maker." In the case of the strumpet, it need not be mentioned to anyone. Well, except to your son!

Oh, sure, one could go up to the poor dresser, the price gouger and/or the strumpet. If you really are concerned about saving their soul, sure, go discuss it with them. Other than that, though...may as well leave it alone.