Can We Judge?

Can We Judge?

We were often taught not to judge as Christians. 

"We are not called to judge; we are called to love." This is usually a religious statement that is void of truth and power. Because the one saying it is usually living a life of judging people, whether consciously or sub-consciously.

Jesus said, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24) He wasn't saying that you cannot judge. He was teaching you HOW to judge. In fact, there are many Scriptures that Jesus and Paul talked about judging.

Because 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 (1 Cor 2:15).

The word 'judge' in this context is 'anakrino', which means to separate, to discern.

𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. The preceding verse before 1 Cor 2:15 talks about spiritually discerning the things of the Spirit. The purpose of the manifestation of the gift of discerning of spirits (1 Cor 12) is meant for judging ALL things.

We are to separate between truth and lies, right and wrong; for this is what anakrino is about.

Discerning of spirits allows us to judge between truth and lies (what manner of spirit a person is operating from). A person can speak what seems to be diplomatically/politically correct, but operates from a wrong spirit. We are empowered by Jesus to judge that, for we judge ALL things.

What we are not called to do is to condemn people ('katadikazo' in Greek but translated as 'judge' in the English bible). The English translation of the word 'judge' is a bad translation. If you go to the Greek Bible, you will see that there are many different Greek words that are translated as 'judge'.

The earthly exousia is a divine ordinance set up by God to reflect the heavenly exousia. The earth's system of government is to reflect the heaven's government. This is why there is the position of (judiciary) judge on earth. He/she is meant to judge righteously, though it is not always the case due to the Fall of Man.

If God has called you and me 'gods' and sons of the most High, then you and I are called to judge righteously, not with condemnation, but with the power of Redemption.