Is It Right for a Christian to Judge Another Christian?

  
"Who are you to judge me?"

"You call yourself a Christian?  Stop judging me!"

"Do not judge, lest you be judged!"


Ever been told something like that?  I certainly have.  It seems like most people today who claim to be Christian know one single bible verse: "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1).  And they quote it to you anytime you try to point out something about their life!

Which begs the question, is it right for a Christian to judge another Christian?

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Based on Matthew 7:1, it sounds like it's not right.  But if you look deeper into the passage, its not so cut and dry.   The context of the verse is clearly talking about hypocrisy.  The following verse reads: "for with what judgment you judge, you will be judged" (Matthew 7:2).  Jesus then gives the comical example of a person telling his friend "take the speck out of your eye" when he himself has a "plank" in his own eye.  Imagine someone walking around with a 2x4 in his eye!  Jesus concludes by saying, "hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your friends eye" (Matthew 7:5).  

Clearly, Jesus is teaching that it is not right to judge another when you yourself are doing the same thing.  For example, let's say I secretly eat a chocolate cake, a gallon of ice cream, a cupcake, and a brownie when I'm at home by myself.  Then when my wife gets home, she cuts herself a piece of cake, and I rebuke her for eating such bad food and admonish her to maintain a healthier lifestyle.  I would be a hypocrite!  Who am I to give nutrition advice when I'm eating like a pig!  In the same way, we are not to judge others if we are doing the same thing.

But what if we are not doing the same thing?  What if I see a brother or sister in Christ caught in sin and I myself do not struggle with that sin.  Is it wrong for me to point out their wrongdoing?  Is it wrong for me to "judge" them in the sense of telling them they are in sin?  The answer is...no!  It is not only not wrong for me to point out their fault, it is actually encouraged in Scripture.  Look carefully at these verses:

"For what have I to do with judging unbelievers.  Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?"  (1 Corinthians 5:12). 



"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him.  If he hears you, you have gained your brother." (Matthew 18:15)

By looking at these Scriptures, its obvious that judging is not wrong.  Judging is actually a good thing, when it is done to restore a brother or sister in Christ that is caught in sin.  Judging is only bad when it is done hypocritically (Matthew 7:1-6) or when it is done to an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).

So the next time a fellow Christian pulls the "do not judge me" card, recite to them 1 Corinthians 5:12, which essentially says "It is right to judge those within the church."  And of course, do it in a spirit of gentleness.