Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.
Summary: With this passage, Paul dives into the deep end of the pool and invites us to follow. As we consider his words, we pause and think about the nature of judging.
At this point in his letter, Paul is quite blunt. He begins to call out the difference between people who “teach false doctrines” (1 Tim 1:3) and those whose lives reflect a “sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5).
As we discuss this section of Paul’s letter, we must tread very carefully. It is very easy to fall into a spiritual trap here.
What is that “trap,” you ask?
Matthew records Jesus saying, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
He then goes on to talk about taking the “plank” or “log” (RSV) out of our own eye before we attempt to take the splinter out of our brother’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5).
Self-examination is difficult, but for the Christian, it is an essential life skill. The Bible says:
“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” (1 John 3:15)
If God equates simply hating someone with the act of murder, which one of us can stand in judgment of others? And yet, Scripture also says, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly” (John 7:24).
In this passage, Paul writes that “Some have departed from these [principles of love — pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith] and have turned to meaningless talk [false doctrines, myths, and genealogies].”
He expects us to discern the difference. He challenges us to judge between the principles of love required by the Gospel and the dangers of false doctrines.
This is not the same as judging people! Remember his letter to the Ephesians? He writes:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)
The spiritual trap is to blur the difference between judging between right and wrong and judging people’s hearts and motives.
In another letter, Paul writes:
“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart..” (1 Corinthians 4:5a)
Trusting God and discerning (or judging) what is God’s will for us go hand in hand. Judging people is strictly God’s territory. We will do well if we can remember the difference.
Application: Judge correctly!
Food for Thought: If another believer engages in ungodly behavior, what are our options?
I think there is only one good option – to love them by speaking truth into their lives. Ignoring the behavior is not loving. They are still living with the consequences of their “ungodly behavior.” It is comfortable for us but not loving to them. Judging them harshly may make us feel good about ourselves, but again does not help the other person at all. We need to examine our own lives and motives. We need to pray. We need to point them toward Jesus. And we need to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4: 15). It also connects with the “golden rule” (Matthew 7: 12) as that is how I would want someone else to treat me if the tables were turned.
Thank you, Rich!
Well said and they are all excellent points. One can only hope that such people are willing to listen.
If another believer engages in ungodly behavior, what are our options?
Every aspect of following Christ is rooted in love. It is because of God’s love for us that He sent Christ. It is because of Christ’s love for us that He died for us. Our salvation, redemption, and transformation is to enable us to love as God loves. So, if another believer engages in ungodly behavior, our approach, our words, and our mindset should be in love. The Holy Spirit speaks to us in truth and gentleness. I think in that respect, we should give as we have been given. Speak truth in love with the intent to enable restoration to the other believer.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Speak in truth in patience and kindness
Be mindful of elevating oneself; don’t somehow make it about oneself
Speak the truth from the Word and let the Holy Spirit work on their heart
Love is the only solution for sin; if someone is seeking something outside of the love of God then there is something self-centered going on inside them. I believe our job is to remind them that the love of God surpasses all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Thank you, Chris.
Your words dovetail with Rich’s comment nicely.
I especially liked this statement: “Every aspect of following Christ is rooted in love.”
So true!
“judge not” is abused in a few ways that I struggle with. Among believers, I see it used to appease sin (not only sinners) . Among non believers, a cudgel to silence and slander believers.
Christ commands us to judge and use discernment many times in the bible, as you referenced.
The only way to see the log in our eye is to judge and use discernment, and then help others who struggle with the same temptations.
Tim
Great point!! Thank you!
If another believer engages in ungodly behavior, what are our options?
Our first calling is to know and apply Gods word to our lives. We are not perfect, merely forgiven, and our primary focus as revealed by God is to seek separation from sin as we seek His righteousness, defined in His word to mankind. Seek Life according to the priorities and standards He has established and revealed to us in His word.
Romans 3:23, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
1 John 1:8, If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Matthew 6:33, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
God directs His people to:
Judge ourselves.
1 Corinthians 11:31
Judge the spirits
1 John 4:1-6
Judge the Actions of those Inside the Church
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Thank you, Ron!
You make a very important point: We need to live our faith if we hope to help others to live theirs.