Are You Called To Judge?

by Richard A. Kent
(Sullivan, Indiana, USA)

Have you ever heard someone say “don’t judge” or “it’s up to God to judge that”? Have you ever been insulted for making a judgment call when your intentions were solely to bring light into the picture? Do you feel that God uses people today as watchmen, and that their purpose is to in fact speak the will of God over situations? Are there times where man is called to judge those situations?

Let us start with where people get the phrase “don’t judge” In Matthew 7 in verse one we read - Judge not, that ye be not judged but that’s where most folks stop. Let’s read on – In verse two it goes on - For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again, meaning judge nothing without the leading of God.

If you must judge, do so with grace, and understanding. Because the way you judge, you shall be judged. Do perhaps some people fear judging due to the fact that it may lead to their judgment? Here we could simply say that good judgment is constructive criticism.

Reading in Corinthians 2:14-16 - But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Wow it says that the spiritual person judges ALL things! And since that judgment comes from the Lord, who can be their judge? So we see that there are those that can and are called to, in fact, be judges of man and even the church. 1 Corinthians 6:3 reads - Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?

Backing up a little to the term “watchman” in the first paragraph, there are those out among us
that are indeed called to watch over the doings of man and the church. Though, like in the days of Jesus, they are often disliked and pushed aside for their boldness and courage to do the will of God.

These called men and women of God are called to speak, and if they do not, then they are held liable. To back this up we read in Ezekiel 33:6 - But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.

What this means is, if such a person has been taught the Word of God and knowingly sees wrong, and chooses to speak not, and the people die in their sins, than the blood of those people is on their hands, and so is the judgment.

Please note that this is not saying we should all go out and judge everyone. What it is saying is
that we are at times called to speak and judge wrong doings when they are seen, especially in the church. Wouldn’t the Shepherd protect his flock from the wolves?

Why then would the spiritually discerned not warn the flock of certain danger? We do so in love, and for the purpose of positive correction, never to simply hurt. Have you seen a wrong today, if so, have you said anything?