What Does It Mean To Judge Righteously?
Understanding Righteous Judgment in the Bible
The concept of judgment is often misunderstood, both within and outside of Christian circles. While many know the famous words of Jesus, "Judge not, that ye be not judged," the Bible actually calls for discernment and righteous judgment among believers. So, what does it truly mean to judge righteously according to Scripture?
1. The Command to Judge Righteously
Jesus' words in Matthew 7:1 ASV are frequently quoted:
Judge not, that ye be not judged. - Matthew 7:1 ASV
However, context is crucial. Jesus is warning against hypocritical or self-righteous judgment. Just a few verses later, He instructs His followers to discern or "judge" properly:
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine... - Matthew 7:6 ASV
This requires the ability to discern character and motives—a form of judgment. Moreover, Jesus commands in the Gospel of John:
Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment. - John 7:24 ASV
Here, the focus shifts from outward appearances to judgments rooted in God's truth and justice.
2. The Biblical Basis for Righteous Judgment
Righteous judgment is not based on personal opinion, bias, or incomplete information. Instead, it aligns with God’s character and revealed Word. The Old Testament also emphasizes this principle:
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor. - Leviticus 19:15 ASV
This affirms impartiality and justice, qualities that reflect God’s own nature (Deuteronomy 32:4 ASV).
3. The Attitude and Approach to Judgment
Scripture teaches that any judgment must be exercised with humility, love, and self-examination. Before addressing another’s sin, we are called to examine ourselves:
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? - Matthew 7:3 ASV
Paul echoes this in his letter to the Galatians:
Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted. - Galatians 6:1 ASV
Righteous judgment is always redemptive rather than condemning, aiming to restore rather than to punish.
4. Judging Inside and Outside the Church
There is a distinction in how believers are to judge those inside versus outside the Christian community. Paul addresses this clearly:
For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth... - 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 ASV
The responsibility of the church is to exercise discernment and accountability among believers, while trusting God to judge those outside the faith.
5. The Example of Christ
Jesus is the perfect example of righteous judgment. He mingled truth with grace, confronting sin yet offering forgiveness to the repentant (John 8:11 ASV). His judgments were always just, motivated by love and aligned with the Father’s will (John 5:30 ASV).
6. Practical Steps for Judging Righteously
- Examine your own heart and motives (Psalm 139:23-24 ASV).
- Base your judgments on the principles of God’s Word, not personal preference.
- Seek wisdom through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit (James 1:5 ASV).
- Act with humility, gentleness, and love, seeking restoration, not condemnation.
- Distinguish between judging sin within the church and leaving final judgment of the world to God.
Conclusion
To judge righteously means to discern truth from error, good from evil, and right from wrong in a way that reflects the character of God. It is not about harsh criticism but about loving accountability, rooted in Scripture and the example of Christ.