Judge Not 2

Earlier I shared some thoughts on judging others, referencing Matthew 7:1-5. Here is the link to that post. I promised I would continue on, and so I shall.

The act of judging someone is completely different from rebuke and correction. A perfect example is the meeting of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. What were His words? "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more."

You can show someone the error of their ways without judging them. If a friend has a problem with drinking, there are proper ways to share your concern. You do this gently. This means you don't condemn them, instead you love them. It is wrong to tell your friend they are going to hell because they drink too much. That is a judgment you cannot make.

I wish to give you my opinion on when it is acceptable to intervene for a friend who you are concerned about. Notice, I said my opinion! Don't take this as biblical fact.

1. Know the Sin
If a friend confesses they are struggling with smoking, when is it appropriate to rebuke them? I would suggest you know details about this particular sin before you rebuke or judge your friend. This means you know how many cigarettes the friend smokes per day. You know about the addictive qualities of tobacco, You know why your friend finds comfort in this addiction- did a bad break-up trigger a relapse? You have to know why this sin is tempting to your friend.

If your friend does not feel comfortable sharing the details of his or her sin, then you aren't the one to rebuke them. If they can't be honest and open with you, they probably aren't ready to change or they do not trust you.

2. Be in Community
What should you do if you see a teenage girl, whom you have never met, wearing a revealing dress? Is it your responsibility to tell her you are concerned? I would suggest, no.

The people who are to bring rebuke and correction MUST be in the same community with the sinner. This means they attend the same church or bible study. If you have no relationship with the person, you have little ability to restore them to wholeness. Approaching this stranger may seem like your religious duty. You may worry that no one is investing in her life. The truth is all your concerns are assumptions. You can't correct someone you no very little about. If you are not meeting with this person at least once a month, you have no authority to correct their behavior.

3. Prone to Gossip, Legalism, or Being Too Controlling
If you are prone to any of these character traits, I would suggest you refrain from rebuking others. It should be obvious why; however, if you don't see the logic- I will explain.

Gossips will take a sin, and share it with others. This destroys trust, and puts the sinner in a position of shame.

People prone to legalism will likely see sin where there is no sin. We have been called to liberty, if we live by the Spirit. Legalism will promote a yoke of slavery, and a false standard.

People who tend to be manipulators and control addicts will hurt weak believers. Instead of promoting a healthy recovery, they will nurture unhealthy dependence. Weak believers have the ability to find strength in the Holy Spirit and in Christ blood. They should not be swayed through abuse and control.