Biblical Insights into Error

Judging ExaminedIntroduction

It is common in Christian circles to hear believers state that "we should not judge other people," and while we are never to condemn (Greek: katákrima, to render "condemnation" ~ Romans 5:16, 18; 8:1) another person, as this is God's role and not ours; this statement is not completely true, in fact sometimes it is completely false because we are commanded to judge others1.

Correct Application

We are to "keep" God's Word (Deuteronomy 11:8, 18-22; Psalm 19:13), which mandates that we watch (Greek: gregoreuo: "which means to give strict attention to" "to exercise judgment and discretion in the most serious sense of readiness and awareness") how others interpret the Bible (Acts 17:11), and teach it (Acts 20:28-32; Romans 16:17-18), which will lead to identifying those false prophets and teachers that distort the Word of God (2 Corinthians 11:12-15; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 5:6-11; Colossians 2:4,8; 18-19). For without watching and staying aware (1 Thessalonians 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4), the ability to be productive workman for the kingdom is made null and void (2 Timothy 2:15).

We are to judge when believers sin against other believers, such as defrauding each other financially (1 Corinthians 6:1-4), though this is normally referred to as church discipline (Matthew 18:15-202), it is the discernment of the individual members of the church that is necessary, not just the pastor (1 Corinthians 6:5).

We are also to judge other believer's behaviors within the church which are sinful (1 Corinthians 5:1-12; 6:2-6).

We are to judge the actions of our leaders as well (Matthew 7:15-23), determining by their behavior, referred to as their "fruit", if it lines up with sound Biblical doctrine, displaying what good spiritual leadership should entail, or if their behaviors can identify them as false leaders or prophets (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Fallen Human Nature and Judging

At the worldly, secular level it is common to observe a lack of desire to judge or be judged,3 which becomes understandable in light of the natural (fallen nature) human rejection of authority in general (Proverbs 12:15; 16:2; 21:2), and the authority of God in particular (Psalms 107:8-11; 10:4). Added to this is the observation that the display of judgment lends itself to the manifestation of condescension, aggression, a lack of sensitivity or being unsympathetic, and of being inconsiderate, callous, unkind, or harsh.

What is unfortunate is that many in the church (as well as whole congregations and denominations) are following this worldly example, many times in the name of tolerance, diversity, acceptance, and what is mistakenly referred to as love, all based upon appearances rather than reality (2Co_4:18). It is a fact that many times the correct thing to do appears to be the most cruel thing to do; ask any parent the first time they must spank your child in order to teach the child the connection between bad choices and consequences.

However, without the ability to discern / judge, there is no ability to choose rightly, and without the ability to choose [only made possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and only according to God’s Word] we are cursed to follow the sin nature as opposed to God’s Will for our lives.

The Source of Godly Discernment

Perhaps the most elegant passage that addresses the application of judgment, also referred to as discernment is found in Hebrews 5:11-14, which states:

"Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

First, we should note that the writer states that in spite of his desire to press on and teach the weightier issues of God's Word, he cannot because they are dull of hearing. He goes on to state that in spite of the amount of time that they have been believers, in which they should be teachers by now, they haven't even began to understand the elementary principles and doctrines of God's Word, which he refers to as milk, and that they are unable to metabolize whole food (meat), the more deeper issues presented in God's Word.

Discernment & Spiritual Growth

What a pathetic picture the author draws, that of believers who should be spiritual adults, yet they are spiritually immature believers unable to dig deeper into God's Word; not because they have not heard the teachings, not because there's not been a teacher to explain it, not because there is a lack of ability to perceive what is stated cognitively; but because of their lack of exercising proper judgment concerning what is good and evil. In the same way that faith is like a muscle and must be stretched and used in order to grow, the same principle is true concerning Spirituality, wherein the muscle that must be stretched is that of judgment and discernment. There must be an application of God's Word concerning what is right or wrong in order to create the condition for yet further growth.

It's like a baby that does not practice crawling, can never achieve the muscle necessary for standing. What is unfortunate is that the lack of ability to judge is formulated because of a lack of desire to use it.

Discernment, which is simply a politically correct way of saying "judgment," must be used or it will be lost. And when there is a lack of judgment there is a lack of ability to spiritually perceive reality, and see what the Holy Spirit wishes to teach the believer from God's Word.

There is a connection between spiritual perception, the understanding of God's Word, spiritual growth, the ability to discern good and evil and The repetitive and habitual use of Biblical judgment.

What this means is that there are many believers who cannot perceive deeper spiritual truths in God's Word, which are necessary for spiritual growth, because of their refusal to exercise discernment according to God's Word; and are therefore lacking spiritual perception concerning what is good and what is evil.

Side-Trip ~ Christian America & Judgment

The American Example

With this in mind, it now makes perfect sense why it is common to observe so many false teachers that propagate the airwaves across America (see endnote: #4 on: "How False Teachers Function") so successfully. Now it makes sense why we see so many immature believers, functioning as spectators, filling churches each Sunday, affecting no positive change in their culture. It has been said that:

"Christianity began as a company of lay witnesses, that has now became a

professional troop of performers, financed by lay spectators." (?)

For 25 years this nation has been moving toward spiritual and moral bankruptcy, from the time that prayer was taken out of our schools (1964), abortion was made legitimate, and the principles of Christianity for which this government was founded have fallen by the wayside. What an interesting coincidence: at the same time that God was systematically been moved out of the America, our morals have been declining, delinquency has grown, crime has increased, integrity declines; we work more hours, get less done, and are less happy; and at the same time we are becoming more and more spiritually insolvent. It has become common that the corruption of politicians is the rule, rather than the exception, and the people of God have become dull of hearing, ignorant of God's Word, sheep following false shepherds; and therefore have become impotent. Salt that has lost its savor, light that has lost its illumination; repugnant and on the verge of being spit out of Christ's mouth, because we are neither hot nor cold. We have become just like the world, Christians in word only; dead, twice over (see our essay: "Is Our Nation Post-Christian").

How have the mighty fallen

"God is not a man to lie;"5if God's Word says it, it is true. How then has America fallen so far in light of our spiritual beginnings, where it was never more evident that God was involved in the affairs of men in establishing a nation, where His miraculous hand was seen and attested to by all concerning our creation (simply read their writings of the committed Christian, George Washington). If we were birthed in Christianity; then how does our present condition jive with God's immutable Word as found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, which states:

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Current Application

We 21st-century Christians, living in America refer to ourselves as Christians; we call ourselves by the name of our Savior "Christ." So though this Scripture was directly communicated concerning Israel, the application by way of principal would apply to the church as well ("Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to day, and forever,"6), so why is our land sick, why hasn't God healed us as a nation.

According to this Scripture, and the conditions listed in order to have our sins forgiven, with God healing our land, why hasn't this Scripture been fulfilled? Many of us have humbled ourselves; and pray continually across this nation; but have we really sought God's face and turn from our wicked ways? And what do these two expressions about seeking God's face, and turning from our wicked ways, really mean.

A Mature Examination

How often we open God's Word to a superficial reading, not considering the whole counsel of God7 (applying any Scripture to the rest of God's Word, understanding that it is a whole book given by God, scribed by man, but consistent through and through. It is when men isolate Scripture from the rest of God's Word or the immediate context, that it can be twisted to say anything they wanted to say. Yet, when God's Word is taken as a whole, and mature application is applied; there is never any inconsistency, nor variance concerning any doctrine) immaturely taking Scripture out of context without reading what is before or after the text we are handling. It is this type of elementary pursuit concerning God's Word that babies perform, rather than the wisdom of understanding context as well as complete Biblical consistency when handling God's Word.

Because if we would truly study God's Word rather than just read it, we would understand that the passage taken from 2 Chronicle was written by either Isaiah or Ezra, and contained the history of the reign of Solomon through to the time of the re-gathering of Israel back to the land after the Babylonian captivity (under King Cyrus the Persian). And that chapter 7, verse 14 (occurred shortly after the temple dedication) was part of a personal visit from the Lord, where God set before Solomon the conditions which we read in this passage. As part of this whole text we also need to read verses 19 and 20, as well, which state:

"But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, I will cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations." (2 Chronicles 7:19-20)

The Bottom Line

Getting back to answering the question presented above, have we as God's people sought God's face and turned from our wicked ways, and in light of the rest of the passage? Or have we turned away, forsaken God's statutes, and His Commandments, are we serving other gods and worshiping them?

Reading this Scripture in context, we must acknowledge that there is a difference between us and the original nation it was written to, and that Israel was a theocracy, and United States is a democracy, yet, what are the similarities that we can gather as well. We as a Christian nation have definitely forsaken God's statutes; there are 613 of them listed in the Torah, as well as His Commandments. Yet, it is not in fulfilling the requirements of the law that is in view here, as we know that the law was always meant to be a schoolmaster,6b to teach us that we are sinners. We understand from the teaching of Paul that the law served its purpose in bringing us to a place of understanding our complete worthlessness before a Holy and Awesome God. It is in repentance, that of changing our direction, and in seeking God's Will,* rather than our own; by being adopted as God's children according to faith in Christ; all of which was made available because of Jesus shedding His blood in fulfilling the law, this is what is in view, this is salvation. And it is with the inward man that we as believers love the law,7c for it is a reflection of the personality of God, and His Holiness.

Yet, when we forsake God's direction and His Will ("For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." ~ *Philippians 2:13), when His law has no meaning to our government or society, when Christians have given up their inheritance as citizens of a heavenly kingdom, it is then that believers have turned from His statutes and commandments. It is then that we have stopped seeking His face. It is then that we serve God's made with our own hands;7d our jobs, our possessions, our children; those things that we put before God, they are the things that we show the worth of, that we “worship.” It is when we have stopped listening to the voice of the indwelling Holy Spirit that we have returned to our wicked ways.

The Answer to the Question

Therefore the answer to the above question is, no we have not sought God's face, and no we have not forsaken wicked ways, and yes we have turned away, yes, we have forsaken his statutes and commandments, and have worshiped other gods; so then not having met the conditions laid out, how can we expect God to forgive our sins and heal our land; the obvious answer is we cannot.

As the Believers Go, so Goes the Nation

The whole point of this passage is not that God holds His followers responsible for the choices of a complete nation, but that His effect through believers is so powerful, that as the believer goes, so goes the nation they influence. God holds the believers accountable for their own behaviors alone, yet those behaviors will influence a nation.

We Have Met the Enemy, and the Enemy Is Us

The point is that we as believers have forsaken God's statutes and commandments. It is us that have refused to seek God's face and turn from our wicked ways. Yet, this bags the question how did we get to this place, especially in light of our Christian heritage, the fact that America has sent out more missionaries in any other country, America has given more money to the service of the Lord of any nation in history; how did we fall so far, so fast.

What is the Solution

The solution to our problem is simply fulfilling the mandates of 2 Chronicles 7:14, but how do we do that. Paul, in addressing the elders of Ephesus, left us the way of achieving those mandates, as recorded in Acts 20:27-32:

"For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."

Protection against Wolves

The cities of Corinth and Ephesus have many commonalities with 21st-century America. They were port cities, on major trade routes, which were very affluent and prosperous in their day, with a growing Christian population.

As Paul was leaving Ephesus never to return, he left a warning with the church leadership which we should heed today. Paul warned the leaders that wolves (false teachers ~ remembering the Holy Spirit's Expositional Consistency ~ that Christ using the idiom of false teachers as wolves in sheep's clothing8) would come in after his departure, and would also spring up from within the church; and he advises them to watch [in the imperative – a command], which necessitates judging and discretion according to God's Word (which Paul had preached to them for 3 years), yet Paul started this passage by advising them to feed the church of God (teach the Word of God9), and he ends with the same admonition.

Teaching God's Word

It is in the teaching of God's Word that matures believers from children who use milk to adults that eat meat. Yet, we see from Hebrews 5:11-14, that it is the exercise of judgment that enables the understanding to progress, rendering God's Word useful for growth, enabling Biblical discernment and judgment, wherein the application of discernment is available.

Because without judgment, and its cultivation, spiritual growth will not develop

Correctly Dividing God's Word Regarding Judgment

As was stated in the introduction, many times we hear well-meaning Christians state we are not to judge one another, citing Matthew 7:1, or Luke 6:37, or Romans 2:1.

Matthew 7:1

However, concerning these three passages (which appear to be abused more than most), we need to exercise grammatical and contextual integrity in examining them. Matthew 7:1-5, states:

"Judge (Greek: krino) not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

The Greek

In verse one, the Greek word for judge (Greek: krino) [G2919], according to Thayer,11 is a verb wherein the word can mean judgment, but it can also mean condemnation, depending on the grammar, and condemnation is not about evaluating something, but it is about damning the person. It is the grammar that gives us greater insight into the context concerning what type of judgment Jesus is talking about here.

More Importantly ~ The Grammar

Concerning the grammar concerning the above Greek word "judge"(Greek: krino) in this verse, it is a verb, the tense is present, the voice is active, the mood is imperative, and the person is second, and the number is plural.11b What this means is that the judgment was a continuous action, never stopping, not contingent upon the situation, but upon the person who continually judged. The judgment came from the person, and was not a reflection on God's Word but their own opinion. The mood displays it was a command of continual commitment of judgment. This command from our Lord applied to his local audience as well as you and I, and it pertains to everyone.

Defined & Applied

What this means is that the intention of the word was condemnation, not simple discernment or judgment, but putting oneself in a place of superiority in condemning another person, and doing so in hypocrisy, as is seen in verse 5. This is seen in contrast to the correct application of judgment where discernment and judgment are rendered rather than condemnation, and where the person doing the judgment does so not in hypocrisy, but yet in humility in accordance with God's Word. The point is, correct judgment is not about a subjective opinion, it is about application of God's determination of right and wrong. It is applying God's Word to a situation where judgment is necessary in order to bring correction, as opposed to condemnation and self-righteousness which is never correct.

Robertson states that concerning the word "judgment" used here in this passage:

"The habit of censoriousness, sharp, unjust criticism. Our word "critic" is from this very word. It means to separate, distinguish, discriminate, that is necessary. But prejudice (is to prejudg) is unfair, and captious criticism."12

Barnes states concerning this passage in the word "judgment":

"Judge not ... - This command refers to rash, censorious, and unjust judgment. See Rom_2:1. Luk_6:37 explains it in the sense of “condemning.” Christ does not condemn judging as a magistrate, for that, when according to justice, is lawful and necessary. Nor does he condemn our “forming an opinion” of the conduct of others, for it is impossible “not” to form an opinion of conduct that we know to be evil. But what he refers to is a habit of forming a judgment hastily, harshly, and without an allowance for every palliating circumstance, and a habit of “expressing” such an opinion harshly and unnecessarily when formed. It rather refers to private judgment than “judicial,” and perhaps primarily to the customs of the scribes and Pharisees."13

What we need to see about this particular use of the word judge was that the focus was not on the judgment, but upon condemnation; as well as inappropriate hypocrisy when judgment was merited. What Jesus is honing in on is the attitude of the person who did not have genuine concern for the other person, their observation was clouded having a mote in their own eye, and therefore not in a position of having clarity to truly discern the situation. This passage deals with pride, arrogance, and condemnation, along with hypocrisy, and spiritual immaturity; it is not condemning discernment or evaluation in judging, but the misuse of judging others in an immature ungodly manner.

The Real Issue

It is by noticing that verse 5 goes on to instruct the hypocrite that once he has corrected his own error, to go ahead and address the error of his brother, in support of helping a brother by the exercise of judgment that needs to be focused in on the other person, concerning the subject of judgment.

What should also be noted is that a few sentences later, in verses 15 and 16, Jesus commands (Jesus states: "beware" ~ Greek: prosecho ~ which is in the imperative in the Greek, meaning it is a command not an option, “to diligently and meticulously be observant and cautious for”) the people to become fruit inspectors, meaning that they were to judge the behaviors and teachings of their leaders to discern if they were teachers according to God and His Will, or false teachers, referred to as false prophets (to be a "prophet" literally means “to speak for another,” and may or may not refer to future events; such as John the Baptist who was the “greatest prophet,” “born of women” and never spoke about the future ~ Luk_7:28).

Without proper judgment, the believer is not correctly using God's Word or following Jesus’ mandatory warning. Judgment is not only a privilege (1Co_6:2-3) but a necessity as far as God is concerned (1Co_6:5).

One Last Aspect ~ Acting = Hypocrisy

Concerning hypocrisy (Mat_7:5;Luk_6:42; Luk_13:15), as seen in the Greek word for “hypocrite,” (hupokrites) [G5273], it is interpreted in three ways: 1) “one who answers,” 2) “a dissembler; one who assumes a false appearance,” 3) an actor, stage player.  This word was used of actors. The Greek plays, which were symbolized by two masks, one laughing and the other crying (this icon has been used ever since movies originated), goes back to this idea. It came to be understood connotatively to mean: "to cover," and denotatively to mean: "a person that judges from behind a mask." This is what the actors had the ability to do because of the cover of the mask while they were wearing (these masks were not worn on the face, but held in front of the face with stick which was held by the actor, in order to disguise who they were, but also what they were really feeling. This was a valuable tool concerning sarcasm, condescension, and mockery, which were common themes within the Greek theaters. Quite often the actor presented according to their words sympathy, while behind the mask truly feeling sarcasm or contempt. The actors would also speak to each other softly words of ridicule concerning the body it's while presenting a completely different expression for the role he were playing. It is this kind of condescension and sarcasm that became a noted component of these plays) them on stage. Therefore when Jesus uses this Greek word for hypocrite, the understanding for the word that is most relevantly considered is: “those that say one thing, and do another, they hide behind a mask and judge, and mock those in front of them, thinking of themselves superior, acting condescending.”

Luke 6:37

This passage appears to be a reintegration of the sermon of the Mount as was address in the above Matthew passage and therefore is synonymous with it in meaning.

Romans 2:1

Concerning the context of the Rom_2:1 passage, it would be best to consider as much of the passage as possible in order to gain the full context (at least through verse 11), which states:

"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God."

Proper Outline

First, it must be understood that this passage is concerning the unbeliever, not the believer. The unbeliever has no ability to discern or judge anything due to their spiritual deadness, which in turn mandates spiritual blindness. This essay, concerning discernment only applies to born-again believers, and only applies to those that by studying God's Word, and of exercising what God has said concerning good and evil, have gained the ability to correctly judge the world they live in (which is always only according to and by God's Word). In no way is this essay meant to separate Biblical discernment from God's Word, Biblical discernment cannot be separated from God's Word. It is when the believer has “hid God's Word in his heart”14, has studied God's Word and taken it as his own, when he has incorporated God's views and judgments; that the believer can thus exercise discernment, according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

When reading the above passage in Romans in context, it is clear that God is contrasting the arrogant, presumptuous, evil type of judgment of fallen man (nonbelievers) in relation to God's own judgment and that God speaks against those that condemn according to their own blindness. This passage has nothing to do with the judgment which comes according to the Holy Spirit as seen in God's Word, meant for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, as stated in 2Ti_3:16, which states:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine [teaching ~ “what is right”], for reproof [correcting wrong doctrine ~ “what's wrong”], for correction [correcting wrong behavior ~ “how to get it right”], for instruction [teaching right living ~ “how to stay right”] in righteousness"

The reason for all of this is explained why in the next verse (v. 17), which tells us:

"That the man of God may be perfect [Greek: artios: "complete, sufficient, qualified"11], throughly furnished unto all good works."

There are two main categories of judgment produced by believers:

1) The above (2Ti_3:16-17) is the essence of what judgment is meant to be utilized for between believers, it is meant to be an indicator of what is wrong in order for correction and instruction. If a believer uses judgment on another believer in condemnation, which Biblically speaking entails condemning the person to hell; this is not Biblical judgment concerning believers.

2) There is also the aspect of judging the world and unbelievers according to sin against God, His law and His Word that must be in view, that of discerning right and wrong, in order to avoid sin and warning others of sin as well. It is with reverence that the believer comes to God understanding His righteousness as opposed to the consequences of violating God's perfection, which is determined when the unbeliever is in view, not that of judging unto condemnation or in self righteousness.

Foundational to all judgment is the ability to discern sinful behavior as opposed to godly behavior that must always be kept in mind in which Heb_5:11-14 reinforces.

Correct Application

What we must understand is that there are many different aspects to the Greek words (over 12 words in the Hebrew and Greek, with more diverse renderings according to the grammar) for the expression: “to judge” (in the Greek, words related to “Judge,” and “Condemn” = 1) nouns: krisis [G2920], krites [G2923], kriterion, krima [G2917], katakrima [G2631], hemera [G2250] dikastes [G1348], diaios, dike, dikazo, dikastes, dikaiokrisia, gnome [G1106], ginosko, metron [G3358] 2) verbs: dokimazo [G1381], krino [G2919], kataginosko [G2607], katadikazo [G2613], kataknno [G2632], anakrino [G350], aesthesis, diakrino [G1252], nepho [G3525]; 3) adjectives: autokatakritos [G843], akatagnostos [G176], antechomai [G472]) in the English such as: judge, judging, judged, judgment, discern, separate, select, choose, conclude, discerner, to determine, to examine, investigate, to prove, question, to separate throughout, discriminate, to decide, to judge, to pronounce judgment, railing, an accusation, to ordain, to esteem, to prove, to try, look to, consider, take heed, watch, hold fast, measure, mark, accuse, beware, to condemn, to damn, sentenced, go to law, to sue at the law, cannot be condemned; and many more are in both the English and Greek which convey the same essence of meaning.

A few examples taken from the Word of God concerning words which are rendered judgment or one of its many synonyms in the Greek concerning diverse applications are:

1) Execution of Judgment ~ Only God’s prerogative ~ 2Th_2:12 (“damned”); Act_7:7.

2) Making the Judgment of Condemnation ~ Man’s wrong assumption ~ Rom_2:1.

3) Exercising the Role of a Judge ~ Rulers ~ Mat_5:25 (“the judge”); Joh_3:17 (“condemn”).

4) The Process of being under Judgment ~ A trial ~ Joh_3:18 (“condemned”); Joh_16:11; Joh_18:31; Jas_2:12.

5) Judgment Rendered ~ A sentence or verdict ~ Act_15:19 (“sentence is”); Act_16:4 (“ordained”); Act_21:25 (“concluded”).

6) Litigation Judgment ~ Plaintiff ~ Mat_5:40 (“sue thee at the law”); 1Co_6:1 (“go to the law”); Defendant ~ Act_23:6 (“called in to question”).

7) Governmental Judgment ~ To administer affairs, to govern ~ Mat_19:28; cf. Jdg_3:10.

8) Figurative Judgment ~ To make a resolve ~ Act_3:13 (“determined”); Act_20:16 (“determined”); 1Co_2:2 (“determined”).

9) Discerning Judgment ~ To form an opinion ~ Luk_7:43; Joh_7:24; Act_4:19; Rom_14:5 (“esteemeth”); 1Co_6:5, 1Co_11:31; Heb_11:11.

10) Believers to Exercise ~ Judgment according the truthfulness of what is said (fulfilled prophecy, which is speaking for another, speaking for God, rather future tense or not) ~ Deu_13:1-5 (“proveth”).

11) Believers to Exercise ~ Judgment according to the Biblical doctrine of the divinity of Christ ~ 1Jn_4:1-3 (“try”); 2Jn_1:8 (“look to”).

12) Believers are commanded by Christ judge the fruit (behavior & teachings, produced by…) of spiritual leaders in determining that they are not false prophets ~ Mat_7:15.

13) Believers to Exercise ~ Judgment according to doctrine / God's Word ~ Act_20:28-32; Rom_16:17-18; Gal_1:9; Eph_5:6-11; Col_2:8; 1Th_5:6; 1Th_5:21; (“take heed,” “watch,” “mark,” “accursed,” “proving,” “beware,” “watch,” “prove,”).

14) Believers to Exercise ~ Judgment according to the prompting of the Holy Spirit within ~ Eph_5:6-10 (“proving”); 1Ti_4:1; 1Jn_4:1-3 ["Try"].

15) Believers to Exercise ~ Judgment concerning the behavior of believers in the church ~ 1Co_5:12-13; 1Co_6:2-5.

16) Believers to Exercise ~ Self-Examination / Judge ~ Mar_4:22-25 (“measure”); 1Co_11:31; 2Jn_1:8 (“look to”).

17) Spiritual Leaders to Exercise ~ Guarding Their Doctrine ~ 1Ti_4:16 (“take heed”); Tit_1:9-16 (“holding fast”); Tit_2:1-8 (“cannot be condemned”).

18) Spiritual Leaders to Exercise ~ Guarding Their Congregation ~ Act_20:28-31 (“take heed" & "therefore watch”); 2Ti_4:5 (“watch”).1Ti_4:16 ("take heed").

A Good Example

It is in understanding the diversity of a word that we gain clarity concerning what the Scriptures expect of us in exercising discretion, as compared to the act of condemnation. A good example can be found in 1Co_11:31, which states:

“For if we would judge [Greek: diakrino] ourselves, we should not be judged [Greek: krino].”

The literal Greek rendering is: “if we discern for ourselves, then we will not be eternally condemned” (according to the full context of the chapter which centers around the Lord's Supper; what is implied is that if a person discerns according to Gospel, faith unto salvation, they will not be eternally judged, the discernment here is unto life.  Those in verse 29 are unbelievers, which is displayed because they could not see the value of Christ's death, and indulged in the Lord's Support focusing on themselves, not on Jesus' as the only acceptable sacrifice for their sins.  In verse 32 it states literally in the Greek: "when we perceive we are condemned as sinners, this perception by faith leads to God's training/teaching [by and through His Word] wherein we are saved apart from the world that is condemned to pay the price for that condemnation").

The first word for judge, diakrino, means to separate thoroughly, or to discriminate, or decide; depending on the grammatical breakdown. The second word for judge, krino according to its grammar means to condemn.11

Therefore, we understand that this is stating that, "if we would discern ourselves; with the implied intent of change, we would not be subject to ultimate condemnation." This is what is to take place within the life of the believer according to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Lack of Discernment

In these last days, one of the most predominant features within the church is this lack of discernment which allows carnality to run rampant, even disguising itself as spirituality.

Some have said the greatest trick the devil ever performed was to convince the world that he was nonexistent.  Yet, I believe the greatest trick Satan has performed within the church of Jesus Christ is to convince us that the application of discernment and judgment has no place within Christendom, and that therefore tolerance and acceptance are true signs of Christian love.

It is when we lower the standards in regards to God’s Word, due to a lack of application, as seen a refusal to exercise proper Biblical judgment, that we open ourselves to all kinds of worldly pursuits.

Corinth, a Church for 21st-century America

The church of Corinth displayed such poor judgment in that it had allowed incest to be accepted openly, as well as believers defrauding other believers financially, they were preoccupation with mysticism, along with signs and wonders in place of gifts of the Spirit, the supper of the Lord was abused in drunkenness and gluttony, while others went hungry. Selfishness became the norm to the extent that Paul worked a full-time job to support himself (1Co_9:6-14) as well as the Ministry (which he later regretted because it added to their spiritual immaturity ~ 2Co_12:13) no doubt exhibiting their lack of financial support in spite of the fact that they were very affluent. Yet, in a close examination it becomes apparent that all of this existed because of their lack of and refusal to exercise proper judgment according to the “mind of Christ” (1Co_2:16), which involved the ability to judge as seen in the two prior verses (1Co_2:14-15), which states:

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”

The church of Corinth was a very worldly church that refused to judge and intervene according to the church discipline (Mat_18:15-17). Unfortunately for us, of all the New Testament churches we most resemble them today.

We in America are affluent and prosperous, we suffer no persecution; yet we are also arrogant, self-centered, and morally bankrupt as a society, which in turn is seen in our churches, when compared to the persecution churches around the world are experiencing. The buzzwords of our society today display that which is politically correct, such as: tolerance, broadmindedness, open-mindedness, forbearance, patience, acceptance, conformity, understanding, compromise, and respect.  As well as such Christian correct buzzwords which are permeating the churches across America, such as: excellence, victorious, abundant, exceeding, successful, winning, expedience, pragmatic, and purpose driven. All words which display our obsession with self and immediate gratification, words that display a mentality of winning at all or any cost, of justifying the means according to the ends, where the outcome becomes more important than the method. We have become the “getter done” generation, where excellence is mistaken for commitment, and victory is mistaken for dying to self. Where we have become slow of hearing, allowing the rationalization of the flesh to become predominant, where being purpose driven takes the place of being Christ written. We're finding fulfillment for ourselves and finding purpose, outweighs the willingness to die a failure if the kingdom of God is furthered.

How easily we forget that Jesus died a failure in the eyes of the world, and it was only the eyes of the believer (the eyes of those that loved Him) that bear witness to His resurrection.

This type of narcissism could never have existed to the extent it has in the church except that judgment and discernment have fallen by the wayside. This self-centered type of mindset is wholly contingent upon a lack of judgment in what is good and what is evil concerning God's perspective as reflected in His Word.  It is the idolatry found within Christianity today which explains why America is becoming more and more ungodly in spite of its Biblical roots.  Christian idolatry can be seen when believers:

"Worship Their Work, Work at Their Play, and Play at Their Worship."

Deception & The Word of God

Without judgment we have no ability to perceive danger when it is present. This is why Jesus used such passion when He spoke about deception.  The only protection against deception is God’s Word and its application as seen in proper Biblical judgment.

Deception by Self

Self deception is possible because of man’s fallen nature and the state of his heart (Jer_17:9), therefore believer’s must humble themselves and always seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance (Psa_139:23-24), concerning truth (Joh_8:32; Joh_14:6), applying proper judgment according to the truth of God’s Word (3Jn_1:3; Joh_4:23-24); constantly exercising discernment like a muscle (Heb_5:11-14), in order to stay observant and able to rightly divide reality.

And for those that claim that the Holy Spirit is the only safeguard they need, and they have no need to utilize discernment, they must remember that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ (Rom_8:9-11), and that the Holy Spirit is the "living" Word of God (God the Father, Jesus the Word, and the Holy Spirit are One, and cannot be separated from the “Word of God” – The Bible ~ 1Jn_5:7; Eph_6:17; Heb_4:12-13), that is to dwell within the believer. Yet, how many people mistake emotionalism or external experience for the leading of the Holy Spirit when they proceed contrary to God's Word.

When there is a lack of proper Biblical judgment and discernment, self deception is a natural byproduct.

Deception by Others

Jesus warned: “Take heed that no man deceive you,” and “be not deceived,” as recorded in Mat_24:4; Mar_13:5; Luk_21:8.

Paul and others also warned us concerning deception as recorded in: Joh_7:24; Act_20:28; Rom_16:18; 1Co_3:18; 1Co_5:1-13; 1Co_6:9; 1Co_15:33; Gal_1:6-9; Gal_6:3, Gal_6:7; Eph_4:14; Eph_5:6; Eph_5:11; 2Th_2:3, 2Th_2:10; 2Th_3:6; 2Th_3:14-15; Tit_1:10-16; 2Ti_2:15; 2Ti_3:5-7; Heb_5:14, Jas_1:22; Jas_1:26; 2Pe_2:14; 1Jn_1:5, 1Jn_1:8; 1Jn_3:7; 1Jn_4:1; 2Jn_1:6-9; as well as the 7 times that the word "deceive" is used concerning the Devil in the book of Revelation.

What we must keep in mind is that these references are exclusively to believers, it is the believers that can be deceived when they refuse to stand firmly on God’s Word and judge according to what God has said.

An Example from the book of Revelation

One of the common denominators within the seven letters to the seven churches as recorded in the book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3; is their inability to perceive their true spiritual state. It is their lack of discernment, their lack of judgment that stands out so predominantly concerning their condition, and was why they could not see the remedy to their problems.

Defending God's Word

We, as the church of Jesus Christ have been granted the privilege of holding God’s Word in written form in our hands (for further Biblical research, see the attached scriptures in endnote #15). With privilege comes responsibility, which cannot be separated from accountability. This is why Peter said in 1Pe_4:17 : 

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 

All Scripture verses listed, unless otherwise noted, refer to the King James Version.

Endnotes

1. Judgment Commanded

It is in realizing that many times judgment is demanded in God's Word (seen many times in such phrases as: "take heed," "watch," "mark," "beware," or "guard") with admonitions such as: Mar_4:24; Act_20:28-30; Rom_16:17-18; Eph_5:6; Col_2:4; Col_2:8; Col_1:1-19; 1Co_5:12-13; 1Co_6:2-5; 1Co_11:31; 1Co_14:29;1Th_5:6; 1Th_5:21; 2Th_2:1-4; 1Ti_4:16; 1Ti_6:20-21; 2Ti_2:23-25; Tit_1:9; 1Jn_4:1-3; and Jud_1:3.

Judgment is demanded by Christ's command in Mat_7:15-20 concerning false prophets (to be a "prophet" literally means “to speak for another,” and may or may not refer to future events, such as John the Baptist who was the greatest prophet “born of women;” yet he never spoke about the future ~ Luk_7:28) to "beware" of them (in the Greek, "beware" is in the imperative, it is a command to do something, and to do it earnestly and meticulously, to take great care in doing, "to show an conscientious, thorough and scrupulous effort in being aware") by examining their “fruits,” which is a synonym for what they produce; their behaviors and teachings. Jesus also commanded in Joh_7:24 to use "righteous judgment," which is not according to appearance (2Co_4:18); which Biblically speaking is judgment according to God's Word, not sight or logic. The largest amount of text concerning judgment is the Biblical admonition and/or command to judge, which in comparison to those passages which speak against judging. And the reason these types of judgment are wrong is because they are either done in condemnation (which is to condemn to hell, which is only God's place to do, as He can see men's motivation - their hearts and judges in complete righteousness, and if they respond to God in faith) or condescension (which is done based on pride and arrogance); or wherein the judgment is misapplied due to sin, such as judgment in impartiality, as seen in Jas_2:4; or judgment is based upon sin, such as gossip or envy, as seen in Jas_4:11-12. Or where conditions are required, such as: Mat_7:5; or areas where judgment is not allowed due to an incorrect application (their interpretation of fulfilling the laws of Moses), such as: Mar_2:16-28; Rom_14:1-17; Col_2:16.

It has been wisely said that you can see the degree to which a subject is important to God in accordance to the amount of text He presents concerning the subject in His Word. The amount of text given against judgment is minimal in the Bible (which are passages that speak against the abuse or improper judgment); however, the amount of space given wherein judgment is demanded in order to protect the church and individual is in the majority in God’s Word.

Judgment is necessary in order to discern the spiritual state of a person, if they are a Believer or unbeliever in order to determine how to approach them, and what to say. Yet, this is never to be done in condescension, superiority, pride, or without compassion. For these reasons it is always the responsibility of the believer to check (Psa_139:23-24) their own heart (understanding that the word "heart" in the Bible is never referring solely the emotions; but refers to the whole of the inward man: 1). The mind, 2) The emotions, 3) and The seat of the will, which is where decisions are made between the two) concerning their motivations, as well as the means by which they express discretion concerning other people's spiritual state.

2. Church Discipline

Matthew 18:15-20 ~ "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them"

A few insights concerning Church Discipline according to Jesus:

1. Jesus addresses His audience (all who hear His words) in the second person ("thee," or "you"), He does this to communicate that we all may be trespassed against and we have all may be guilty of offending someone else, and within the church this is something that should be dwelt with rather than allowing it to fester. This is common between people, and should not be swept under the rug, but addressed as is appropriate in a systematic manner, logically and rationally, rather than emotionally.

2. We can assume that if the person accused (whether the accusation is verbalized, or simply felt by the other) is guilty of the accusation, they need to confess the sin, apologize, and make amends (Which is different than apologizing in that making amends is doing whatever physically needs to be done to right the wrong, pay back what is lost, replace what is missing, or act in a way that is the opposite of the offense); and thereby be restored to their brother, the accuser.

3. Therefore, if a brother (meaning a brother in Christ, a Church Member) has something against you, you are not to wait for him to approach you; you are to go to him. Be assertive, not aggressive; be gentle, not forceful.

4. When you go, go alone (the first time), keep it private – don't attempt to use others to make yourself feel justified, or make your brother feel guilty or ashamed (don't use psychological ploys or tricks, be upfront and honest).

5. You are not to go to other brothers and attempt to enlist them as a jury where you present your side, and win approval.

6. You are to show honor by keeping the privacy of your disagreement between yourselves, to go tell others in order to receive reassurance is actually gossip, and brings division to the church, setting people into groups, and against each other.

7. If you cannot convince your brother that you are right and an agreement cannot be reached between the two of you, then meet with him again and this time bring 2 or 3 other brothers as witnesses, but also to attempt to convince of him of his error. The witnesses are not meant to be accusers to help convince or convict him, and they are not to be on your side, there are simply to be objective witnesses to the event, keeping silent.

8. If he still refuses to concede, next you are to take the issue before the whole church as an assembly to judge.

9. This is not a jury situation where opinions are rendered, where discretion is allowed. Either you are vindicated according to the Bible or your brother is. This judgment is not about what others think; only who lines up with God's Word, and who does not. It is black and white; there are no gray areas in the Bible. When there appears to be contradictory passages, clarity is obtained according to the priority as it is set in the Bible, yet always according to God's Word.

10. What should be noted here is that there is no specific reference to the pastor or leader of the church being involved. No doubt that Jesus left out the pastor so that there would be no intention of trying to draw him in and make it about the pastor and the two of you. Church discipline involves the whole church, yet without voting. What is inferred by this is that it would be obvious to all according to their knowledge of God's Word who is innocent and who was guilty, it is not propagating a democracy. God's Word and the Torah are not subjective, but the idea is that the whole church was involved in the process (that the whole church would affirm God's word and stand together) so that if a person was excommunicated, the whole church would shun the person, and not associate with transgressor.

11. If the person refuses to repent (change his mind and ways) and obey the judgment of the church, he is to be excommunicated, and treated as a heathen, not as a brother in Christ. There is not the option to show forgiveness without consequences, because the priority here is the purity of the church, without the option of mercy to individuals. Forgiveness cannot he granted without repentance, and a turning from the sin, making amends and setting it right.

We like to paint Jesus as a loving individual that showed mercy to all, without exception. Yet, this is an un-Biblical picture of Jesus, as repentance (changing direction ~ Act_20:21) was mandatory (Mat_9:13; Mar_1:4), as well as sorrow for wrongs committed (2Co_7:9-10). The wrongdoer had to admit that they were wrong (Mar_2:17), seek for forgiveness, and be willing to make amends (Mat_3:8; Luk_3:8; Act_26:20). It is un-Biblical to allow sin to persist within the church, corrupting others; in the name of mercy, grace, and love; and allowing sin to go unanswered, which in reality has nothing to do with any of these three virtues, but is based upon weakness, selfishness, and contempt for others.

It's like allowing your oldest child to habitually violate your rules with no repercussions, while their younger siblings watch and learn from this pattern of rebellion. Excommunication is demanded in this situation, it is not an option. The motive was always to correct, to drive the brother to repentance, in order to receive him back (2Co_2:6-10). It must also be seen that when a brother was excommunicated, he is no longer a brother, and litigation could be brought against him.

1Co_6:1, forbids a brother from taking another brother to court, but not an unbeliever or an excommunicated ex-brother (Paul used his Roman citizenship himself [Act_25:10-12, Act_25:21; Act_26:32; Act_28:19], and did not abdicate a second class citizenship for believers. Believers have the ability to use litigation, as well as the criminal justice system for protection and justice. It is un-Biblical to say otherwise.). We must remember that Paul was concerned with the witness of the church, and that when two brothers could not work out their differences within the church and had to go to the heathen, it was like saying God could not intervene in the situation, and the pagans had to be brought in. Paul was concerned about the witness of the church more than the outcome of litigation. We must remember that there was no Biblical defense against litigation. When a believer has been maltreated, or mistreated by a nonbeliever, they have the right as a citizen (Mat_5:40 ~ presupposes involvement in the judicial system) to utilize the legal system which is meant as a defense against evil being allowed to permeate, and grow, perverting the community, and contaminating every one.

What about forgiveness as in "turning the cheek"

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, [#1] an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, that ye [#2] resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the left also. And if any man will [#3] sue the act the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And [#4] whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain" (Matthew 5:38-41)

[#1] An eye for an eye:

The problem that we have in understanding this passage is our lack of awareness that it had become common during that period of time, that if a Jew (wealthy & powerful prominent individuals) had felt that he had been wronged and suffered loss at the hands of another, rather than following Gods ordained system of law (Deu_19:18-21) which dictated that a local magistrate would investigate the situation and render justice in the form of any prescribed punishment according to the law of God, the Jews would revenge themselves (misusing Old Testament passages which dealt with interrelationships prior to the socialization that was common at the time of Jesus. During the time of the patriarchs there was not the system of justice which had become common hundreds of years before the time of Christ when there was a judicial system and a remedy to address crime), which meant that it was no longer a system of justice, but of vengeance.

Christ is NOT saying here is to disregard the law, which contained a criminal justice system concerning the punishment of criminal behavior, or the justice of litigation (Tit_3:1; Rom_13:1; 1Pe_2:11-16; Rom_3:31). What Christ is saying here is that believers are not to revenge themselves upon perpetrators, but being willing to suffer injustice if it occurred because ultimately God was in control and it was a display of faith and trust in Him especially when injustice incurred. This is not a call to pacifism, but a call to nobility and faith beyond comprehension, for it is God that allows everything that occurs within the life of the believer, even those things that appear unrighteous and unjust.

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[#2] Resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other:

It had become common that if a Jew felt humiliated or shamed by another, in return they would strike a person upon the cheek which in itself was viewed as a humiliation. This was usually done with an audience, in front of others as a display of public shame and ridicule. The physical pain was minimal and not meant to address or correct negative behavior, but it was the humiliation of the act that was the point of the offense.

The very act of slapping another person on the face was an act of condescension, displaying pride and arrogance, and therefore considered evil in its self. The Greek phrase used here (me antistenai toi poneroi), would be more literally translated: "resist not him that is evil," which concerning the grammar is in the infinitive (second aorist active), an indirect command; which could place the emphasis either on "the evil man," or "the evil deed," but either way this plays the assumption of the definite article ("the") in the English, which indicates that Christ was not saying to allow evil to permeate our society, without resisting it according to God's law (1Ti_1:8).  But that on any individual basis, when a believer is minimally assaulted physically, and (to the real issue at hand) is humiliated or shamed, which is evil or done by an evil person; don't retaliate, or defend yourself physically. We must keep in view that the issue here is not so much the physical contact, but the humiliation and shame intended. This also doesn't say that we don't question or defend ourselves verbally. Jesus displayed this Himself when He was slapped (as a sign of humiliation and ridicule) by one of the Temple officer's while being questioned by the High Priest (Joh_18:19-23), and Jesus responded by verbally defending himself and saying, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?"

The point is that Jesus is not presenting a pacifist doctrine here. As believers we are always to fight against evil, and those that promote it, otherwise we would violate the very law which God had given to man as a reference concerning what was good, which always mandated fighting and punishing what was evil. Jesus was not contradicting the law, He did not come to change the law but to fulfill it (Mat_5:17; Luk_24:44) by dying for the sins of the world (2Co_5:21). The point was not that we are all forgiven, but that our punishment was paid by Jesus, and that He had bore our punishment (1Jn_2:2; Rom_3:25; 1Jn_4:10) so that the justice of God would be upheld (Rom_3:25) in righteousness.

What Christ is saying is that if a (small) offense is committed against you, such as being shamed by another (to reiterate, which is what being struck on the cheek meant to the Jews, striking on the cheek was considered a non-punishable offense, one of questioning another's integrity by publicly shaming them), take the offense and don't revenge yourself, show honor and character in the face of humiliation.

[#3] If any man will sue thee at the law:

First, and most importantly, what Jesus indicates here is that the person He address is guilty in this litigation, and that their accuser wins against then in a court of law, according to the legal conclusion against them and that the court determines to: "take away thy coat." The law was very specific concerning the loss of personal property, especially if it was the essentials, such as a personal wardrobe (which mainly consisted of the clothes on their back).

Jesus is here referring to a common occurrence of his day, wherein an individual would utilize their (tunic) inner garment as collateral for a purchase, and after being found guilty of not having fulfilled their part of the bargain, to be prepared to surrender their outer garment as well. Because of the essential nature of the need of clothing, such as the tunic, in Hebrew law, the only way that your adversary could seize your tunic was because you used it as collateral for a loan and default on the loan. It was common that if an individual conducted a street transaction (bartering) and did not have the items with them (which in case where coinage was not used or available, bartering by using animals or other intrinsic articles was common), they would leave as collateral something of greater value with the person, such as their interior coat / tunic. This is seen when Judah did not have the price of bartering ("a kid of the flock") to pay Tamar, but uses as collateral (pledge) his signet, both bracelets and his staff.

Therefore what Christ is saying is if you lose litigation, indicating that you are wrong in the first place, be prepared to pay not just your obligation but even more in recompense, which in this case would be to allow the claimant to have your outer cloak as well, which was more expensive.

[#4] And whoever shall compel thee to go a mile:

The expression "shall compel" was a specific terminology of Persian origin (a Figure of Speech), and was utilized concerning a royal standing command that was as a Royal law of the kingdom, throughout the conquered lands of Persia (from which the Jews had many times been under, such as Cyrus), and was understood that if one of the officers of the King's court could demand that a local citizen would personally escort them during their journey for a distance of up to 1 mile in aiding them during their travels. Whereas verbal instructions concerning directions could be misunderstood ("go straight for 1 mile, then turn right at where Farmer Joe's barn used to be"), having a local citizen personally take you to your destination became necessary. (see Endnote #13 for further insights and sources)

The point that Christ is making is that when it comes to our civil commitments (whether they seem righteous or not), we should be willing to not only fulfill the requirement of the law, but sacrifice even more than required. Believers, as citizens are not only to meet their requirements as citizens, but to exceed them.

A final thought

It is amazing to consider that due to a lack of understanding concerning cultural issues of Biblical times, that when believers do not study (studying is far more than simply reading, it is using credible Biblical dictionaries, encyclopedias, commentaries, word studies, and being fed by Spirit, and guided by Bible teachers; and more. If we love God with our whole being [Mar_12:30], why would we do less) God's Word, that what they perceive superficially ends up being much different than the reality that is presented.

Summary Concerning Mat_5:38-41, these 3 short verses hold tremendous insights and immense meaning.

First, do not revenge yourself, but allow the Powers that God has ordained (Rom_13:1-7; 1Pe_2:13-17) to administer justice. ~ be a forgiving and God trusting person

Second, if someone shames, humiliates, or ridicules you, do not revenge yourself; but show honor and character by not reiterating the same back. ~ be a humble person

Thirdly, if you have been found legally guilty, and rightly so; be prepared to suffer for your wrongs and to pay back even more than what seems fair. ~ be a righteous person

Fourthly, concerning your civil commitments; be willing to not simply meet your requirements, but to exceed them as well. ~ be a good neighbor & good citizen, therefore be a good example

3. Fallen Man & Discernment

A few of the reasons why there is this inborn fear of utilizing proper judgment by fallen man (and in some cases can be seen in carnal or immature believers) can be seen in many ways, even the type of words that we are more comfortable in using concerning the subject, such as; its easier to speak about discernment, rather than judgment; or discretion rather than ruling; and estimate rather than verdict.

Perhaps a few of the reasons are:

a. Judging others may feel uncomfortable by some people. However, if we surrender the right to judge others, it is only reasonable to expect the same in return.

b. The pride of human nature dictates that we do not want anyone to be superior to us. And another person's ability to judge us gives them that position. If we surrender the right to judge others, it is only reasonable to expect the same in return.

c. Because human nature is such that we all want to be right, and someone else judging us indicates we are wrong and therefore not right. Again, if we surrender the right to judge others, it is only reasonable to expect the same in return.

d. The situation that enables judgment, by its very nature introduces the concept that there's ultimate rights and wrongs and that a wrong has been committed (and if a wrong has been committed, it is sin), and no one wants their wrong (sin) exposed. This creates vulnerability that our pride cannot stand, so yet again, if we surrender the right to judge others, it is only reasonable to expect the same in return.

e. The act of judging another lends itself to the illusion of acting mean; unloving, and hard-hearted. There is a perception that good people don't judge others, and that if judgment is rendered it is normally viewed as either hypocritical, or self-righteous. Therefore, in order to maintain an inner feeling of goodness, or an outer display of niceness; judgment is bypassed. Therefore, if we surrender the right to judge others, it is only reasonable to expect the same in return.

As far as our human nature is concerned, it should be understood that perhaps part of the problem is not that judgment involves inflexibility, intolerance, prejudice & bias, or a lack of acceptance; or even displays domination or control; but that pride is always at the heart of the matter.

4. How False Teachers Function

False prophets and teachers stay in business by making their followers depended upon them as opposed to being dependent upon God and His Word. Because of their distortion of God's Word, which they abuse to propagate their false doctrine (which Paul refers to is the doctrines of devils10) mandates that Biblical judgment be avoided. And according to Hebrews 5:11-14, without the exercise of discernment (judgment), there is a lack of application of God's Word, and in the process a lack of spiritual growth. There are many people that intellectually learn what appears to be great insights into God's Word from these false teachers (insights that they read about from other anointed real Bible teachers), yet if there is no change on the inside it is mental vanity. It is not the learning of information that creates spiritual maturity, it is true repentance, which means more than simply turning from sin, but turning to God and therefore displaying obedience to everything God has said in His Word. There must be application to what is learned from God's Word, and it is necessary for true discernment in order to achieve correct application of God's Word.

It is discernment according to what God says is good and what God says is evil, and the courage to unconditionally stand for what God has said as opposed to what false teachers interpret; that becomes paramount to Christian maturity. Originally, as seen in the church at the time of the writing of the book of Acts, churches almost exclusively met at homes. The lead Shepherd, who we call the pastor, would have an assistant (such as Timothy or Silas was to Paul) that he was training to be a pastor in waiting. Due to the physical constraints of the home, whenever the group grew too big, the pastor would separate part of his mature flock to go with his assistant to form a new congregation. The point here is that the local church was not owned by the pastors; the pastor was feeding the sheep of God.

The pastor did not own them, therefore because of his faith in God he knew that if he had properly trained his apprentice that God would take care of God's sheep, therefore the pastor did not attempt to hold on to what was not his in the first place. This is the sign of a pastor that is dependent upon God, and truly has faith in God, as opposed to his own abilities, callings, or talents. It is the mature, Spirit filled pastor that gives away what is not his in the first place, that displays true faith in God the Father, and reliance upon the Holy Spirit, according to God's Word. It is the false prophet or the immature pastor that attempts to hold on to what is not his. This is why the Benny Hinn's of this world don't want their followers to grow, they want them depended upon them so that there will be plenty of money to fill the coffers. These false teachers create dependence upon themselves rather than dependence upon God. They are wolves that want to keep the flock to themselves so that they will have something to feed on.

5. Numbers 23:19 ~ "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good"

6. Hebrews 13:8 ~ "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to day, and forever"

7. Acts 20:27-32 ~ "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."

7b. Galatians 3:24-25 ~ "wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might

be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."

Romans 7:7 ~ "what shall we say then? Is the law sin ? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, thou shall not covet."

7c. Romans 7:22, 25 ~ "for I delight in the law of God after the inward man" ... "I thank God through

Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law

of sin "

7d. Psalms 115:4-8 ~so "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they,

but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither

speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth

in them."

Psalms 135:15-18 - "so then everyone... The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them."

8. Matthew 7:15 ~ "beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravaging wolves"

9. John 21:16 ~ "and he said to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest I love thee. He saith unto him, feed my sheep."

1 Peter 5:2 ~ "feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind."

10. 1 Timothy 4:1 ~ "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils"

11. THAYER'S GREEK DEFINITIONS, Parsons Technology Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, USA, 2008, Electronic Media.

11b. ROBINSON'S MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS CODES for use with the Greek New Testaments

containing parsing or declension codes. E-Sword, Ver. 8.0.6, Rick Myers; www.e-sword.net

12. ROBERTSON'S WORD PICTURES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, Vol. IV, A. T. Robertson Broadman Press Inc., Nashville, TN 37234, 1960, Electronic media.

13. ALBERT BARNES' NOTES ON THE BIBLE, Albert Barnes, (1798-1870), e-Sword.net, Matt 5:38.

14. Psalms 119:11 ~ "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee"

15. Scriptures on Judgment

Deuteronomy 13:1-5 – “If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way the Lord your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.” Jeremiah 5:31 – “The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end”

Jeremiah 14:14 – “Then the Lord said to me, “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.”

Proverbs 1:22 – "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? [This Scripture refers to those that will not study God's word, will not invest themselves and spiritual growth ~ their simplicity is a sign of their laziness]

Proverbs 8:5 – "O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart."

Mark 4:24 – “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.”

John 7:24 – "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." [In the imperative a command]

John 8:44-45 – “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.”

Acts 20:28-30 – “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

Romans 16:17-18 – “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 – “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Corinthians 2:15 – "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 – “For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

1 Corinthians 6:2-5 – “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

I Corinthians 11:31 “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 – “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 – “But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

Galatians 1:6-10 – “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ..”

Ephesians 4:11-14 – “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”*

Ephesians 5:6-11 – “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”

Colossians 2:4 – “I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments"

Colossians 2:8 – "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

Colossians 2:18-19 – “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.”

1 Thessalonians 5:6 – “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."

1 Thessalonians 5:21 – “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 – “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”

1 Timothy 4:16 – “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers"

1 Timothy 6:20-21 – “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.”

2 Timothy 2:23-25 – “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth”

2 Timothy 3:1-7 – “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.”

2 Timothy 3:12-14 – “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it”

2 Timothy 4:3 – “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”

Titus 1:9-2:1 – “He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.  Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.”

2 Peter 1:16 – “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

2 Peter 1:20-2:3 – “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”

1 John 4:1-3 – “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.”

2 John 7 – “Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.”

Jude 1:3 – “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

All Scripture verses listed, unless otherwise noted, refer to the King James Version.

Biblical Insights Into Error is an ongoing topical series that examines those teachings, practices, and patterns of current Christian movements and organizations within the Christian community which are unBiblical, extra-Biblical, heretical, cultic, or promote the flesh, directly or by implication; and exposes them in the light of God’s Word. It is in addressing these unBiblical practices and teachings within the church, in contrast to the true gospel of Jesus Christ, that the church needs to moderate and guard against, understanding that “judgment starts in the house of God.” This series also examines the ways and means that ministry is meant to be conducted, and that preachers and leaders are to function according to the Word of God. Our main focus is always on Jesus the as the Lord and Savior of the world, He alone deserves preeminence in God’s Word. God’s Word all alone is our source of guidance, direction, and our singular rule of faith. Biblical Insights into Error is an outreach ministry of Faith Video Ministries Inc. You may contact us at our e-mail address: blb@faithvideoministries.com

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