Week Three – Judgment vs. discernment

Judgment vs. Discernment – How do we deal with unrepentant sin in the Christian community? How do we deal with sins in non-Christians? In ourselves?

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

-Matthew 7:1 (KJV)

Who are you? where ya been? where ya from?
Gossip burning on the tip of your tongue
You lie so much you believe yourself
Judge not lest ye be judged yourself

-Metallica, Holier Than Thou

In an age when many people expect news, conversation, and entertainment to take the form of pithy sound bites, Matthew 7:1 (in some form) is tough to beat. It is short and memorable, and well known even by many non-Christians. But what does "judge not" really mean? And once we figure that out, how do we apply it in our lives?

Resources:

Lewis B. Smedes, Good Question: Who Are We to Judge?,

Roger E. Olson, To Judge, or Not to Judge,

Kerby Anderson, Making Moral Choices,

Timothy Keller, THE REASON FOR GOD, Chap. 3, Christianity is a Straightjacket

Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, HOW PEOPLE GROW, Chap. 16, Pulling the Weeds: The Problem of Sin and Temptation & Chap. 17, Facing Reality: How Truth Deepens Growth