10/27/2026
We Need to Talk About Judging
Some Christians love to quote Jesus: “Do not judge.” Often to avoid correction.
Others love to say, “You’ll know them by their fruit.” Often before criticizing somebody.
Frankly, both can miss the point.
Jesus never told us to ignore sin or destructive behavior. In Matthew 7, He told us to deal with the plank in our own eye before helping someone with the speck in theirs. He still expected us to help.
And James 4:11–12 warns us about something far more dangerous than recognizing wrongdoing. It warns us against speaking against others and acting as though we occupy God’s seat as Judge.
There’s a difference between telling the truth about someone’s actions and pretending we know everything about their heart, motives, or future.
I’ve been on both sides. Being right about sin doesn’t make me right in how I treat someone.
I see three kinds of judging in Scripture:
1. CONSIDERATION. We can and should carefully evaluate teaching, behavior, and spiritual fruit against God’s Word (Matthew 7:15–20). Love isn’t blind, but neither should it be quick to assume the worst.
2. CORRECTION. We can confront sin, speak truth, and call one another to accountability and repentance (Matthew 18:15). But the goal should be restoration, not humiliation.
3. CONDEMNATION. This is where we cross the line. We don’t get to declare someone hopeless, assume we know every motive, or decide they’re beyond God’s mercy and grace. That’s wrong of us and unholy.
Here’s what troubles me. Sometimes we use the truth as a weapon rather than a tool for healing. We expose someone’s failure but leave no room for repentance, growth, or redemption.
And sometimes, in our eagerness to point out another person’s sin, we overlook the pride in our own hearts. I’ve done that, too.
So yes, consider carefully. Correct when necessary. But refuse to stand as judge and condemn.
We can name sin without naming someone by their sin forever.
God alone gets the final verdict. And thank God, He is rich in mercy.
