Practical:-2
CRITICISM: RIGHT AND WRONG
By Vinod Thomas, Kottayam
The Bible does not prohibit judgment in the right sense. On some occasions, the Bible asks believers to exercise judgment against others.
1. 1 Cor 5: 3 – 5; 12, 13:- we see in the Corinthian Church a man guilty of fornication with his stepmother. Paul condemns the sinner and calls upon the Church to judge him.
2. Matt 7:6:- Here the Lord Jesus asks believers to judge. Some people are as dogs and swine as being not worthy enough to share the precious truths of the bible.
3. 1 John 4: 1 – 6:- Here Apostle John asks believers to judge the doctrines whether they are sound teachings of the word of God. (cf. Matt 24:11; 2Pet 2: 2, 3; Jude v. 3)
4. Matthew 7: 15 – 20: Here again Jesus asks believers to judge the fruit of people who come to share the word of God. If they are real their fruit shows that. If they are false prophets they will be shown by their wicked deeds.
5. Matthew 18: 15 – 18:- It’s about assembly discipline against a disobedient member. They have to judge their fruits based on the word of God.
Reasons behind the bad judgment
1. This kind of criticism makes our self-exaltation. We think that we are better than others. It increases our pride and self-image.
2. This boosts our fleshly nature to be happy in hearing and sharing the sins and shortcomings of others.
3. This causes us to justify our actions by pointing out the failures of others.
4. This kind of judgment points out that we are strong and old, brothers whom we judge are weak to show our strength we criticize other's failure.
5. This kind of judgment makes others hurt and it leads others to take revenge. It spoils the relationship between people. If it is related to church there is a possibility of division in the church fellowship.
In Matthew 7: 1 – 5 Jesus condemned Pharisees for their hypocritical judgment. There, Pharisees never thought of final judgment while judging others. Jesus warns that when we judge others we have to appear before the judgement of Christ. Instead of wrongly judging we have to judge ourselves so that we will be prepared for the judgment seat of Christ.
In verse 2 Jesus said that not only at the final judgment we can expect judgment from others now. If we judge others wrongly people judge us in the same way. We reap what we sow.
In verses 3 – 5, Jesus said about self-examination. When we examine ourselves in the sight of God we can find what things blind us then we have to remove such things from us.
If we continue in sin and judge others then we are hypocrites. If we cleanse ourselves and make positive criticism that will help others grow in their Christian life. G&P
