Judge Not / Slander Not
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace... Ephesians 4:3a
1 . There are twin evils which destroy the unity of the Church. One is gossip, and the other is judging.
2. Jesus said...
Judge not, that you be not judged, For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Matthew 7:1-2
or as it is could be rendered from the Greek
Do not be judging, in order that you may not be judged (by God).
Jesus made the rules. Judging is ruled out of His Church. First of all, our righteousness is nothing we earned. It was given by God's grace. Judging other would be a denial of that grace. We are not better than anyone. Secondly, judging others does not help them - it hurts them, and will probably stop them from coming to God for cleansing and healing.
3. Jesus is fair. The wisdom and justice of His command against judging is easily seen...
For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged (by God); and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you (by God). Matthew 7:2
The rule is against judging at all. We are not in a position to judge. Whatever standard we use is wrong since God alone sees into the hearts of men. We can never presume to know someone else's motives.
4. The common mistake we all make is that we judge ourselves according to our intentions - but we judge others by the outcome of their actions. This is harsh and unjust.
5. But what if someone is doing something that is wrong and harmful - even destructive? What are we to do then? Well, first of all we should remember love and grace. The Church is to be governed by grace. The same thing is true in our families. There are some guidelines...
You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, (tell him to stop), and not bear (lift) sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance (revenge) nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:17-18
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2
In the spirit of meekness - and using the Word of God, not our own authority - we should tell him that what he is doing is wrong because it hurts people. And then gently lead him in the paths of righteousness, and pray with him. Peace makers do this - without judging. The idea is to restore - not judge. We seek reconciliation.
6. Christians are to have discernment. But we are not to pass judgment or condemn anyone. Condemning people is not the Spirit of Christ, and does not win them to Christ. If we know John 3:16, we should also memorize the next verse...
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17
7. The second thing that destroys the unity and fellowship of the Church is gossip. Here is what God thinks of it.
A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth: He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, he points with his fingers. Perversity is in his heart. He devises evil continually. He sows discord. Therefore calamity shall come suddenly. Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.
These six things the Lord hates. Yes, seven are an abomination to Him; A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devise wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:12-19
and there is this...
Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him will I destroy. Psalm 101:5
8. Notice that God Himself is against you if you slander people. You must determine never to do it. Judging and slandering seem to come from the same root of bitterness. For when you slander someone, or speak evil of a person, you are also judging, and condemning. Speaking through the apostle James, God makes it clear that we are not to do either one.
Do not speak evil of one another brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law. But if you judge the low, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge another? James 4:11-12
9. So then let each of us ...
...walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-2