Do not criticize one another, brothers. He who criticizes a brother or judges his brother criticizes the law and judges the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and one judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
As Christians, we sometimes walk a fine line. If we are ever confused about what we are supposed to be doing, have no fear, God has given us His word for instructions on every matter we ever face. One thing that is clear is that we are not to judge others. I am feeling a big “ouch” as I say this. I am being convicted as I type these words. I have spent a great deal of time in prayer for others and for myself for falling into the trap of judging them. Our former pastor used to tell us that we were not to judge others, but that we must inspect the fruit. In other words, we must pray for wisdom to discern between good and bad. The bible tells us to hold on to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and to avoid evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). So you might question how you can know what is good and what is bad without judging, right?
Well, the difference between judging and inspecting the fruit is this, when a judge sits on a bench in the courtroom, he or she is listening to the evidence presented, may be called upon to render a verdict if it is not up to a jury, and will have a say in the sentencing. Now usually a judge has certain parameters to follow as outlined in the criminal code of procedure. In some cases, such as a death penalty case, the jury may also determine sentencing. When we judge, we formulate an opinion of a person, hopefully based on facts that we know and not just rumor, but then we usually share that with others, we find them guilty and determine sentencing. Not our job, my friend.
As fruit inspectors, we simply inspect the fruit. For example, let’s say you owned a fruit stand. If you were putting apples out at your stand, you would carefully check them, right? You would put the beautiful, shiny, apples out, but I imagine that when you came across one that was rotten, you would throw it away. You wouldn’t keep that one.
As Christians, we are going to come across some really good people and some people who want us to think that they are really good when they are not. We must pray for wisdom to discern between these two types of people. When you encounter evil, avoid it and pray for it from a distance.
Where we get into trouble with our judging is usually with our mouths, or with the internet it could be our fingers. Our scripture passage tells us not to speak evil of others. In my opinion, this is where the difference between judging and inspecting the fruit comes into play. Some dramas that play out in the courtroom are juicy gossip. I know, I spent 25 years of my life working in courtrooms. Sometimes the judge will even impose a gag order forbidding anyone to speak of what goes on in court. What happens in court that involves children is considered confidential and is done in closed proceedings. When we judge someone we are more apt to also become the news reporter in this instance and spread the news of the horrible things they have done. When we inspect fruit, we are more likely to toss it aside and move on. No one cares if a rotten apple is discarded, right? That’s not newsworthy, but if a church member is rumored to be having an affair, then that’s really big news. Everyone has an opinion and knows just how it should be handled. In this case, you may have numerous judges, juries, and executioners.
If you are not paid to judge in a courtroom or in some type of contest, then you need to leave the judging to God. This is where that whole Great White Throne of Judgment comes in. We don’t sit on the Great White Throne. It is not our job to judge. We are only fruit inspectors.
If you see someone that is having a hard time with sin, pray for them and go to them. If you have tried to talk with them, but gotten nowhere, then perhaps talk with your pastor or their pastor if they have one. When you inspect fruit and determine that fruit to be rotten, you have no need to run around telling everyone that the fruit is rotten.
There is only one judge, as our scripture tells us. He is the One who can save and who can destroy. Pray for those that need saving. And if you find yourself judging someone as I often catch myself, you might want to repeat the last verse in today’s scripture, “But who do you think you are to judge your neighbor?”
I pray that if you are convicted, as I am, for judging others that you will join me and ask God to help you to stop doing this. We should never try to take over God’s job. When we start playing judge, jury, and executioner, no good can come from this. We are told to love our enemies and pray those that persecute us (Matthew 5:44). There are numerous scripture passages that warn us against judging others. If you see yourself falling into this, stop. Pray for that person and pray for God to help you as well.
Have a great day!