Was it an error on Paul's part when he wrote in 1 Cor. 2:15, "The spiritual man makes judgments about all things," or, as it states in the KJV, "a spiritual man judges all things"? Does this give consent to Christians to make judgments regarding the practices, personalities, and beliefs of others?
I believe it is permissable in God's timing to make discerning judgments. Remember
Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Regarding the making of judgments, let's examine the Scriptures. Were there judgments made by the NT writers concerning others who dwelt among them? Of course there were! Consider Paul's writing to Timothy regarding two men of his time.
2 Timothy 2:16-18
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
And Peter's writing:
2 Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Remember Paul's emphatic insistence to the Corinthians that they get that man out of their midst who was sleeping with his step mother? "Do you want me to come there in love or with a rod? I'm coming with a rod!" he announced. "Get that man out of your fellowship!" (1 Cor. 4)
So often, we hear, mostly due to a lack of balanced teaching, the following statement, "Judge not that ye be not judged." (Matt. 7:1) Unbelievers like to use this verse without realizing its meaning.
To straighten these potential misconceptions, one must realize Scripture contains two types of judgment. One is a discerning judgment (seen in the first examples), where doctrinal error is pointed out, or it could be an observation regarding a man who is badly treating his wife and/or children, or a person's refusal to put a watch on his/her words.
When we see such a person, it may be the right time to attempt to restore that man/woman in the spirit of meekness. When we see in others that which is not healthy for them, we who are spiritual should attempt to show to them the way of God more perfectly. (Act. 18:26)
The other judgment is a condemning one. This is when a believer tells himself/herself and/or others that they are unworthy of love, that they don't measure up well enough for God to be their friend and Savior. What is said, essentially, is, "There's really no hope for you." This type of judgment is defined by Jesus when he said, "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned."
It is not God's will for Christians to condemn. At the same time, nowhere are Christians told to forsake making discerning judgments.
I believe it is permissable in God's timing to make discerning judgments. Remember
Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Regarding the making of judgments, let's examine the Scriptures. Were there judgments made by the NT writers concerning others who dwelt among them? Of course there were! Consider Paul's writing to Timothy regarding two men of his time.
2 Timothy 2:16-18
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
And Peter's writing:
2 Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Remember Paul's emphatic insistence to the Corinthians that they get that man out of their midst who was sleeping with his step mother? "Do you want me to come there in love or with a rod? I'm coming with a rod!" he announced. "Get that man out of your fellowship!" (1 Cor. 4)
So often, we hear, mostly due to a lack of balanced teaching, the following statement, "Judge not that ye be not judged." (Matt. 7:1) Unbelievers like to use this verse without realizing its meaning.
To straighten these potential misconceptions, one must realize Scripture contains two types of judgment. One is a discerning judgment (seen in the first examples), where doctrinal error is pointed out, or it could be an observation regarding a man who is badly treating his wife and/or children, or a person's refusal to put a watch on his/her words.
When we see such a person, it may be the right time to attempt to restore that man/woman in the spirit of meekness. When we see in others that which is not healthy for them, we who are spiritual should attempt to show to them the way of God more perfectly. (Act. 18:26)
The other judgment is a condemning one. This is when a believer tells himself/herself and/or others that they are unworthy of love, that they don't measure up well enough for God to be their friend and Savior. What is said, essentially, is, "There's really no hope for you." This type of judgment is defined by Jesus when he said, "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned."
It is not God's will for Christians to condemn. At the same time, nowhere are Christians told to forsake making discerning judgments.
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