Judging Righteous Judgment

We will be held responsible if we do not warn the wicked of their lost condition and warn those in the body of Christ concerning their sin.

Matthew 18:15-17 "“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."

Romans 16:17 "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them."

1 Timothy 5:20 "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."

There are times when it is prudent to keep discussions between only those involved, however, if a sin is a public sin then it is to be publicly handled.

Titus 3:10-11 "Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned."

2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

2 Timothy 3:1-5 "3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away"

In order to turn away from unrepentant people we have to have the discernment and judgement of the Lord. If we do not know our Bibles we will be confused and unlearned in this matter and probably much more likely to refuse to judge because of the overwhelming influence of the world.

So you see, we are not only to judge all things but we are accountable to our brothers and sisters in terms of correction and even rejection if they refuse to turn from their sin.

1 Corinthians 2:15 "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."

Our goal and responses ought to be God's glory much more than sparing a brother or sister temporary hurt feelings. If the brother or sister responds properly in repentance, then their relationship with God and with their church family will be far better than if the matter is swept under the rug.

Proverbs 27:6 "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

Openness and honesty is the order of the day for believer, not pretense. We are to be interested in restoration and healing. To place a bandaide on a gaping wound, only causes gangrene, and total loss of a limb eventually, nothing remains stagnant. Unrepentant sin grows calluses on us that leads to more bitterness and sin.