Sometimes being critical is necessary, but at other times it is simply self-serving. The Bible certainly encourages discernment, critical analysis and, at times, judgment. Finding the balance between when to judge and when not to judge has never been easy. If we scour the Scriptures we will find passages that warn us not to judge and yet we will also discover passages that command it.
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you (Matthew 7:1-2).
Do not judge by appearance, but judge with right judgment (John 7:24).
So, should we just throw up our hands, stick our head in the sand, and sit in a circle singing praise choruses? I don't think a response like that is al all pleasing to the Lord. If we don't attempt to strike a balance for which the Word of God calls then we will do great damage to the glory of God, the Gospel and the church. And so, at the risk of sounding overly simplistic and maybe even naive I believe if we follow two principles they will will greatly help us in striking the balance between judgment and non-judgment for which the Bible calls. (I am greatly indebted to a book I recently read written by D. A. Carson for guiding my thinking in this area [The Cross and Christian Ministry, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI 1993].)
First, we shouldn't judge when our motivation is to protect our "turf" and exalt our group above others. Competition abounds in the church today. It's as if we are having "bridal wars" where the bride is being ripped apart just before the ceremony takes place. Just think of what we are presenting to Christ just before we walk down the isle - not a very pretty sight.
On the other hand, we should judge and exercise good discernment when someone is treating the Gospel cavalierly. Any person or body of people who would treat God and His Word in an unholy, careless manner through words or actions deserves judgment. Unholy living and practice call for biblical confrontation.
Just because somebody is not "doing church" the way we do is no reason for us to jump down their throats and consign them to outer darkness. A wrong judgment at the wrong time with the wrong motives does just as much damage as ignoring those who treat God like a lap dog or a fire insurance policy. We must not write another church off just because they don't neatly fit into our sock drawer of church polity.
I hope this helps all of us as we seek to faithfully follow God's leadership.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
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