Can Christians Judge Other People?

     I’ve been reading an article that says Christians should accept (approve of, agree with) the behavior of other people who are “not like them.”  The article says that Christians should accept other people’s behavior unconditionally – or else the Christians are being “judgmental,” “biased,” and “prejudiced” against others.[1.  News & Record (Greensboro, NC), January 23, 2008, B5.]

     But that’s illogical.  Because the very reason we have laws, police, courts, and judges is because we don’t accept murder, child abuse, burglary, terrorism, bank robbery, and so on.  In other words, all people everywhere must be “judgmental” to some extent just to live safe and meaningful lives.

     So – where do we draw the line?  In addition to people’s actions that break local, state, and federal laws, what other kinds of behavior should Christians recognize and reject as being wrong?

     In the First Century, the Early Christians taught that there are two kinds of behavior in the world.  The first kind should always be accepted.  The second kind should always be rejected.  Here are those two kinds of behavior:

          1.  Spiritual Behavior:  This is a supernatural, uplifting, positive behavior of love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness that’s motivated by the indwelling Holy Spirit within Christians.  It’s always to be desired, promoted, and accepted by Christians.

          2.  Selfish Behavior:  This is a natural, suppressive, negative behavior of anger, lust, gossip, jealousy, and greed that’s motivated by the selfish human nature within people (both Christians and non-Christians).  It’s never to be desired, promoted, or accepted by Christians.

     This means that the key to “judging” other people is to recognize the difference between Spiritual behavior and selfish behavior – and then to have the courage to approve of Spiritual behavior and to disapprove of selfish behavior.

     But this is where it gets sticky.  Because Christians themselves often have selfish behavior, since they still have a selfish human nature within them the same way they did before they became Christians.  That means Christians must be able to recognize the difference between Spiritual behavior and selfish behavior when they see it (either in themselves or other Christians), and then must be able to reject it.

     Paul, the early Christian teacher, was referring to this principle when he said, “It’s those inside Christianity whom you’re to judge.”[2.  First Corinthians 5:5-12.]  Paul was saying that it’s up to Christians to recognize and reject selfish behavior in themselves and other Christians.  But he was also saying that it’s God’s responsibility to recognize, reject, and punish selfish behavior in non-Christians.

     Summary:  The man who wrote the article I’ve been reading was wrong on both counts.  Although he wasn’t writing from a Christian viewpoint, it’s wrong to teach that Christians can’t “judge” people’s behavior, and therefore must “accept” selfish behavior in themselves or in other Christians.  On the other hand, it’s also wrong to teach that Christians can’t “judge” selfish behavior in non-Christians too.  The truth is, that selfish behavior is wrong everywhere in the world, whether it’s being expressed by Christians or by non-Christians.

     A key principle that many Christians overlook, though, is that it’s God’s job to judge and punish non-Christians.  (And He’s going to do a good job of that someday.)  But in the meantime, many Christians are acting backwards:  They’re tolerating selfish, sinful behavior in the Christians they know; but loudly condemning selfish, sinful behavior in the non-Christians they know.  (That’s why Christians are often called “hypocrites” by non-Christians.)

     So, let’s agree on these Early Christian principles (even if it hurts).  Let’s agree to accept Spiritual behavior – and let’s agree to reject selfish behavior in ourselves, or in other Christians, or in non-Christians.  But let’s also agree that the only thing we can do about selfish behavior in non-Christians is pray for them, tell them the truth if asked, and let God be their judge and jury.