“But test everything; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV
Those who stand for Truth are quickly ridiculed.
Sadly, multitudes mistake discernment for being judgmental. When one claims to be something but is not living under that standard, is it wrong to discern who they genuinely are? What they truly represent?
It’s tough when someone claims to be a Christian but is entirely unconvicted and desires not to change from a lifestyle of sin. Drunkenness, fornication, gossip… whatever sin of the flesh you can name, we are called as believers to discern the conduct of those within the church.
We are called not to judge those outside the church but those inside the church.
“For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13 ESV). We are called not to judge those outside the church but those inside the church.
It should be no surprise that the ungodly and unbelievers do not walk in the way of the Lord. We do not need to waste our time judging those who do not know God, for we would be the same if we did not have the Holy Spirit.
Carnal judgment compares the person to oneself. Godly judgment comes by way of discernment, and it is comparing the person to the Word of God.
Though we are not called to judge those outside the church, we are called to judge those inside the church. This judgment is not judging in the sense of carnal judgment. Carnal judgment compares the person to oneself. Godly judgment comes by way of discernment, and it is comparing the person to the Word of God.
If someone continually has premarital sex, is unrepentant, and says, “it’s okay”, is it a more significant benefit to say, “Well, we all have our struggles. I don’t have the right to judge”? Or is it better to say, “This person is not giving a proper testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and the salvific work in their life. I care more about this person’s eternal abode and how they represent Christ to unbelievers than letting them continue to live in sin and destroy themselves”?
Our approach is the differentiation between godly discernment and carnal judgment.
Our approach is the differentiation between godly discernment and carnal judgment. “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9-10 ESV).
We are not called to sit idly by and allow others to call themselves Christians and live in sin.
We are to approve of what is good, but we are not called to sit idly by and allow others to call themselves Christians and live in sin. Those are among the many self-proclaimed Christians who will hear from the Lord on that Final Day, “‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:23 ESV).
We are not called to turn a blind eye and excuse what is sinful. If we are, then we are no better than the children of darkness.
We are called to build up and approve of good. We are not called to turn a blind eye and excuse what is sinful. If we do, then we are no better than the children of darkness. We are those who, for the sake of selfishness and an unwillingness to be lovingly confrontational, blend in with the world.
Those who do not stay in the Word will be influenced by the world. The pull of the perceptions of this world is greater than the Word when one is not continually spending time with God. Not that God’s Word is weaker, but that our feeble hearts are so frail and weak that we would rather seek to live in sin than get away from sin.
Those who do not stay in the Word will be influenced by the world. The pull of the perceptions of this world is greater than the Word when one is not continually spending time with God. Not that God’s Word is weaker, but that our feeble hearts are so frail and weak that we would rather seek to live in sin than get away from sin. This is the damning pulse in all of us, and it is only the Holy Spirit Who can bring conviction and give us power over our sins.
If we do not have a strong foundation in Christ, we will be torn to shreds by the wolves in sheep's clothing. We will be eaten alive because we neglected to put on the Armor of God and fight with the Sword of Truth.
““Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves”” (Matthew 10:16 ESV). The world is very enticing. If we do not have a strong foundation in Christ, we will be torn to shreds by the wolves in sheep's clothing. We will be eaten alive because we neglected to put on the Armor of God and fight with the Sword of Truth.
We are warned that those in sheep's clothing “are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV). If we fail to discern and speak upon our discernment, we are wasting both knowledge that should be said in love and neglecting to help those in the church change their trajectory.
“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20 ESV).
Those who are willing to confront another in love (if a repeated trend is discerned that is not lining up with Scripture) will save another’s soul from death – relieving them of a multitude of consequences in this life and eternal damnation.
We cannot accurately discern if we are not listening to the Righteous One Whose Word has been given to us.
It is only the Holy Spirit that can give us the boldness to preach Truth in love and to enact upon the godly discernment we have been given. Of course, we cannot accurately discern if we are not listening to the Righteous One Whose Word has been given to us.
Our discernment only goes as far as our willingness to be instructed by God and walk in His Ways.
Claiming to have godly discernment without reading the Word is like claiming to know a historical figure without reading their autobiography. Our discernment only goes as far as our willingness to be instructed by God and walk in His Ways.
We must acknowledge the reality that we are never to fall prey to judging others based on how we want them to live. We never want to judge through comparison and see others as weaker and more sinful because their admitted struggle differs from ours.
“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother” (Romans 14:10-13 ESV).
“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 law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, Who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?” (James 4:11-12 NKJV).
We are not to judge others within the church who admit their struggles and are striving to escape sin. However, we are to judge those who claim to be Christians, partaking in the church, and seeking to both excuse sin and live in sin.
We are not to judge others within the church who admit their struggles and are striving to escape sin. However, we are to judge those who claim to be Christians, partaking in the church, and seeking to both excuse sin and live in sin. These are those that we should not associate with and should discern that their lifestyle is not according to the Word. When this is done, it is done with godly discernment.
If one’s state is “I really don’t want to have this conversation, but I know I should”, that is godly judgment, based upon godly discernment.
An additional way one can understand if they are being judgmental or discerning is in the disposition of how they feel approaching the person. Is there a craving and strong desire to let someone else have a “piece of our mind”? If so, there is no peace and this is coming from a selfish heart of carnal judgment. If one’s state, however, is “I really don’t want to have this conversation, but I know I should”, that is godly judgment, based upon godly discernment.
Christ tells us to ““Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven”” (Luke 6:37 ESV). At the same time He tells us ““Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment”” (John 7:24 NKJV).
The difference between carnal judgment and righteous judgment is the former is based upon one’s preferences and intellect, whereas the latter is based upon God’s Word and the way of Christ.
The difference between carnal judgment and righteous judgment is the former is based upon one’s preferences and intellect, whereas the latter is based upon God’s Word and the way of Christ.
Again, in understanding the difference between godly discernment and carnal judgment, remember:
We are not to judge those outside the church, but those inside the church.
We are not to compare others to ourselves, but to God’s Word.
We are not to judge one’s heart, but discern their lifestyle.
We must not become excited in judging others and pointing out their faults, but dread the need to do so. This comes from a place of a pure heart.
We must approach others in love and not a desire to bring them low.
We must always remember that ““on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”” (Matthew 12:36-37 ESV). May our words be aligned and in-tune with God’s Word.
If we are ever unsure how to proceed, may we go to God, seeking His Wisdom and understanding. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, Who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5 ESV).
“For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13 ESV). May we always be merciful in our approach. Not desiring to tear down, but to build up. Not wanting to point out faults, but guide one in the right direction. If a man were on his way to a desired destination and we saw him going in the opposite direction, would we not turn him around and point him in the way he is to go?
It is criminal to allow those who think they are believers to live lifestyles of sin without desiring to change.
It is criminal to allow those who think they are believers to live lifestyles of sin without desiring to change. This is a dangerous state and one that should be taken seriously. For God desires to save all, but we must believe Christ is Lord and Savior and repent of our sins.
““Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”” (Matthew 4:17 NKJV). May God give us the strength to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 ESV).
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, God of Wisdom and Knowledge, we seek Thee asking Thee for help. God, give us the heart and mind to judge with righteous judgment. Give us hearts of compassion and grace towards all people. God, may we not be surprised by the ways of those living in the world. Give us discernment and the steps needed to rebuke others in love. God, we desire for all to come to You and live for You. Keep us on the straight and narrow path. Grace us with the strength to not excuse sin, but forever seek to get away from sin. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Christ’s atoning sacrifice that has saved us and given us the Holy Spirit Who changes us. We love You, O God in Heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lance VanTine