? Don’t judge? (Mt 7. 1) is the only Bible verse that even critics are convinced is divinely inspired, or appears to be based on their trust against Christians. However, misuse of this verse is extremely easy to combat when you realize what’s really going on.
First, a qualifier. Judging is finding faults, and true failure, moral guilt, is at the heart of the Christian message. It’s the bad news that makes the good news really good. If finding faults is our feature, it’s wrong. Our judgment is nothing but condescension, so we will respond to Christ. We should never expect non-Christians to behave like Christians. They don’t have the ability to do that. That should be clear.
- However.
- I do not believe that condescension in general is a problem; there’s usually something more present.
- On the one hand.
- Initially.
- The accusation “who are you to judge?”It’s based on a misunderstanding.
- If this is a request for our moral references.
- Then we have nothing to offer.
- We’re both under these responsibilities?And convicted of them? Just like anyone else.
Before, being criminals ourselves, we were shown the way to forgiveness and simply communicated the good news: God is good and we are not. There is justice and, apart from mercy, we will suffer it, clarifying this to others is kindness, not condescension.
If you were a passenger in a friend’s car and said, “If you didn’t notice, you’re accelerating and there’s a cop on that street,” I’d probably think you did him a favor. I’ve done it. Illustration has its limits, of course, but I think it helps to understand this problem.
Is that the most important thing you need to know about this challenge?Who are you to judge? is not a question, but a disguised statement: “No one has the right to judge. “If morality is only a matter of personal opinion, all judgments are prohibited. This is the relativist’s strategy.
Of course, the relativist is always wrong about this issue, if for a moment he has convinced himself, that is not what he really believes in, because he is full of judgment when it suits him. Is this accusation doomed to failure, as it is an implicit judgment of the Christian.
Therefore, when critics impose some version of “don’t judge,” it’s not a call to be virtuous; it’s a demand for them to be left alone. They quote Jesus not out of conviction, but out of convenience; I do not wish to be subjected to any moral criticism.
So how can we handle it gracefully, but with insight, in the face of this confrontation?I think it’s best to deal with situations similar to these by asking questions. In light of the above observations, here are some that come to mind.
His first step in dealing with any confrontation is simply to ask, “What do you mean?”And wait for an answer. Let your friend show some of your discomfort. Learn more will give you more resources to use. If your own judgment was motivated by contempt or disdain, then you can apologize.
You can also take a chance 😕 You think I was imposing my personal standard on you?If I gave that impression, I’m sorry, did I just intend to warn you about God’s standard, the same one I’m subjuding?
If your interlocutor seems to be using relativism, ask him, “Are you saying it’s never right to report a mistake?If so, why are you doing this to me now?Then let him answer. If he says, “Who are you to judge?” he asks, “Who are you to find faults?”
The goal is not to be intelligent or eloquent, but to show that it hides from the real problem: its own guilt before God. Reassure the person you’re talking to that you don’t feel superior to him. simply give him information that can save him, take him away from his sin and guilt, and direct him to God’s mercy.