— “Judgment condemns, discernment protects.”
📖 Summary
The Bible forbids condemning others but commands discerning truth.
To “judge” out of pride is sin,
but to “discern” right from wrong is obedience.
Christians are called not to silence, but to wise evaluation grounded in Scripture.
1️⃣ Introduction | “Doesn’t the Bible say not to judge?”
Many say,
“Jesus said, ‘Do not judge.’ So shouldn’t we stay quiet?”
But the Bible forbids self-righteous condemnation,
not truthful discernment.
Love and discernment are not opposites—they are partners in holiness.
2️⃣ Biblical Foundation
📘 Matthew 7:1–2 (ESV) — Do not judge hypocritically.
📘 John 7:24 (ESV) — Judge with righteous judgment.
📘 1 Corinthians 5:12–13 (ESV) — Judge those inside the church rightly.
📘 Philippians 1:9–10 (ESV) — Love must abound in knowledge and discernment.
📘 Hebrews 5:14 (ESV) — Mature believers discern good from evil.
→ Condemnation is forbidden; discernment is required.
3️⃣ Theological Insights
📜 John MacArthur — The Truth War
“When the church stops judging, lies take the throne of truth.”
📜 R.C. Sproul — Knowing Scripture
“Love without discernment becomes sentimentality.”
📜 John Piper — Contending for the Faith
“True love confronts falsehood; it does not hide from it.”
📜 Jonathan Edwards — Religious Affections
“True religion is not blind passion but moral discernment.”
📜 Westminster Confession, Ch. 24 (Christian Liberty & Conscience)
“Believers are bound to Scripture’s judgment, not human opinion.”
4️⃣ False Views vs. Biblical Truth
| False View | Problem | Biblical Truth |
|---|---|---|
| “Christians must never judge.” | Silence toward evil | Discernment is commanded (John 7:24). |
| “Correcting others is arrogance.” | Avoids accountability | Correction is loving (1 Cor 5:12). |
| “Evaluation shows no love.” | Sentimentalism | True love includes truth (Phil 1:9). |
| “Group judgment is dangerous.” | Distrust of community | Collective discernment is biblical (Acts 15:28). |
5️⃣ Practical Framework
1️⃣ Check Motive — Is it love or pride?
2️⃣ Separate Person from Action — Evaluate conduct, not worth.
3️⃣ Use Objective Standards — Scripture, not emotion.
4️⃣ Aim for Restoration — Correct, don’t condemn.
6️⃣ Conclusion
Christians must not judge to condemn,
but they must discern to protect truth.
Silence in the name of love is not grace—it’s neglect.
“God calls us not to silence, but to wisdom;
not to condemn, but to discern.” — Revito
Faith. Discernment. Truth. — Revito
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