We Are Told Do Not Judge. Also Told Watch Out For False Prophets. How Do We Do Both?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
J

JohnChingford2007

Guest
#1
In Matthew 7 Jesus started by saying "judge not that you be not judged" "for the measure you use, it will be measured unto you". He finishes by saying "watch out for false prophets". At first glance (without studying it properly or comparing scriptures in context) it may seem like a contradiction in terms.

I mean, how can you watch out for false prophets without judging them?

Actually, there are many words we use (in English) which give a similar meaning to judge, but judge (in its severest sense) is much more than assessing another person. it is what the Crown Court might do. We use many words similar to judge: assess, examine, test, have opinion against, analyse, weigh up etc. In fact, we are told by John to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" and goes on to say "for many false prophets have gone out into the World" 1 John 4:1. Is this not a form of judging? We see the NT church exercising discipline regarding wrong practice in the church. How can this be done without a form of judging take place?

So we need to consider the context of what Jesus was actually saying when He said "judge not that you be not judged"

We need to
keep a sound balance regarding Matthew 7. Incidentally, does anyone know the Greek word used in the original manuscripts for "judge" in Matthew 7:1-2 and what it means?

In any case, if we compare Matthew chapter 7 with chapter 6 and compare with Luke 11, I think we can get to the bottom of that word judge. If we also consider who Jesus was talking to and the time in which He was teaching.

He had not yet died for our sins and had not yet fulfilled the Law. He was often referring to the pharisees and the Mosaic Law in His sermons. He spoke woes to the scribes and pharisees who were preventing people entering the kingdom of God through their heavy burdens. Maybe Jesus was referring to the pharisees as the hypocrites who were judging and removing specks. Jesus (basically) is saying that they should get right with God first and then their judgement of individuals would come from a better heart.

Matthew 6 and Luke 11 both contain the Lord's prayer which states "forgive others as you would want the Lord to forgive you". Judging should come from a heart which has been forgiven by God , cleansed and humbled. It is out of a forgiving heart that we exercise compassion (not judgement) of others.

So the specks that we all contain are to do with faults and imperfections in our lives. As only God knows the heart, we are not permitted to pass judgement on the condition of their heart.

Jesus said (in another place) that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. So with this in mind, Jesus goes on to talk about False prophets who are known by WHAT THEY SAY, not what they do. We are not to judger actions but we ARE to test what they say. If they teach heresies we are allowed to expose it. I believe this is the distinction we should use.

We are NOT to strain at a gnat and then swallow a camel. The gnat are the finer points of the law but false teaching could be considered as a much larger issue (camel) that needs to be rejected.

We are not to judge the conditions of people's hearts and their actions because we do not know what is going on in their lives, minds or the reasons behind their actions. Only God klnows the intentions of the heart.

However, the scriptures are CLEAR that those who reject Jesus as the Way the Truth and the Life ARE going to hell. It is NOT wrong for us to make that judgement. We should not judge over grey areas, but we are to warn (another way we judge) people over the consequences of rejecting Jesus or following wrong paths.

We have been told to watch out for false prophets. To watch out for is a form of exercising judgement too.

I believe Jesus is referring to what a judge does in a law court, by passing a sentence on the actions of people. We are told that we should not pass out sentences, because only the Lord has that power. We cannot know (with certainty) if a CHRISTIAN is born again or not, so should not judge them to be unsaved.

However, if a person has not believed in Jesus as the only way into Heaven, it is clear (from the Bible) that they are condemned until they receive him.

John 3:18
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son

So it is not right to say that we cannot judge those of other religions who do not believe that Jesus is the ONLY way. The Bible states they are already condemned!

Of course, any individual may repent, turn to Jesus and believe in Him later on in life. If they do, they will obtain eternal salvation and will go to Heaven. So, although they (at present) stand condemned by following a false way, they may not follow it all their life. Only God knows who will repent and who will not.

Therefore, we cannot say that a person is definitely going to hell (judging them) because God may convert their soul before they die. But .... we can say that they will go to hell IF they don't repent and turn to Jesus.


Also we should not judge another Christian regarding their personal walk with God, because only God knows if they are serving Him or serving themselves. Only God knows their hearts. We cannot always judge what a person's motives are. 1 Cor 4:4-5 says:


"My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts"

However, if we see them caught up in a specific sin, we ARE told that a spiritual brother should seek to restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. How can they do this unless they judge. I believe the key is our attitude. If we are condescending, destructively critical, or "holier than thou" then THIS is being judgemental and is unhelpful. But if we can come alongside such a brother with a spirit of compassion, then exercising judgement in trying to be helpful is surely okay.

But when it comes to FALSE PROPHETS or FALSE BROTHERS we are allowed to expose their false teachings and their deceptions for the sake of saving, loving our brethren from the lies and deception.
 
Last edited:
Feb 16, 2011
2,957
24
0
#2
I believe Harold Camping is a good example of being able to spot false prophets. He attempted to do what no one can do. He attempted to give the day or hour of the Lord's return and we are told in the Bible no man knows the day or the hour. It should have been obvious to everyone that He was a false prophet. The man of sin must first be revealed before anyone should worry. This did not happen. There are several reasons it was obvious that he was a false prophet without the need for judgment. I believe that knowing the Scripture is our defense against false doctrine and false prophecy.
 
A

AnandaHya

Guest
#3
I believe we are called to judge/discern others words/doctrine and actions, whether they are in accordance with God's will.

Hebrews 5:12-14
New King James Version (NKJV)
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

we do not judge another's SALVATION or ultimate eternal destiny, only God can do that.

Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.


God knows if the person is HIS or if he serves Satan and He does not often reveal it to others even those with the spiritual gift of prophecy.

If He did we should not condemn but pray and stand in the gap and ask God for His grace and for HIM to save them from Satan and his bondage and lies.

do you intercede in heartfelt prayer for your brothers and sisters when you see them sin or do evil?
 
Last edited:
A

Abiding

Guest
#4
Actually camping isnt even part of the church...the prophets we need to expose are
the ones that rise up in the church. from our midst. Not only are we warned of false
teachers and prophets...we are commanded to expose them, mark them.

Even Paul himself said with his own teaching...when he seen the Bereans checking his
teachings with the Old Testament....he commended them.
 
Last edited:
J

JohnChingford2007

Guest
#5
Hi Abiding. You are spot on!!!

Other groups like JW's, Mormons, Catholics, scientology, Masons etc are not part of the true church either. However, groups like Word of Faith and Latter Rain (Manifest Sons Of God, Joels Army, New Apostolic Reformation) do need to be exposed because their false teachings and false prophecies HAVE risen amongst us and evangelical Christians are being dangerously infected by them.
 

damombomb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2011
3,801
68
48
#6
Hi Abiding. You are spot on!!!

Other groups like JW's, Mormons, Catholics, scientology, Masons etc are not part of the true church either. However, groups like Word of Faith and Latter Rain (Manifest Sons Of God, Joels Army, New Apostolic Reformation) do need to be exposed because their false teachings and false prophecies HAVE risen amongst us and evangelical Christians are being dangerously infected by them.





Is this the latest fad? What,s next?
 

damombomb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2011
3,801
68
48
#8
Huh? What are you asking?
1Samuel16:7For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward apperance,
but the Lord looketh on the heart
there was a young man on here a couple of weeks ago who is catholic,You could tell his heart
was seeking the Lord,he is young and very sincere about seeking,I was trying to encourage
him in his seeking (listening at his heart)while others were condeming him for the church he attends
What would Jesus say to this young man?
 
J

JohnChingford2007

Guest
#9
1Samuel16:7For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward apperance,
but the Lord looketh on the heart
there was a young man on here a couple of weeks ago who is catholic,You could tell his heart
was seeking the Lord,he is young and very sincere about seeking,I was trying to encourage
him in his seeking (listening at his heart)while others were condeming him for the church he attends
What would Jesus say to this young man?
Jesus would speak the truth to him, telling Him that "I am the way, the truth and the life, no-one comes to the Father except through me". He would speak to the Catholic of how the scriptures reveal Himself (like He did with those on the road to Emmaus). He would show that there is salvation in no other name but the Name of Jesus and that we should pray directly to Him. He would remind him that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works so that no-one can boast. After leading this Catholic to salvation Jesus speaks through Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17:

"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial , or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. "
 

cronjecj

Banned [Reason: ongoing "extreme error/heresy" Den
Sep 25, 2011
1,934
13
0
#10
Nice thread, i hate it when someone comes along and says "don't judge" and aiming to you as been "self-righteous" when you are merely trying to expos a false teacher \ prophet (speaking in general) They are too naive and accept everything and anything that comes their way.

Hosea 4:6 My people perish from a lack of knowledge.

In fact we must rebuke them and warn our fellow Christians not to be deceived by their doctrine.

Jesus rebuked the pharisees of shutting the door to Heaven by their prideful behaviour in their teaching of the law.

1 John 4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
 
J

JohnChingford2007

Guest
#11
Nice thread, i hate it when someone comes along and says "don't judge" and aiming to you as been "self-righteous" when you are merely trying to expos a false teacher \ prophet (speaking in general) They are too naive and accept everything and anything that comes their way.

Hosea 4:6 My people perish from a lack of knowledge.

In fact we must rebuke them and warn our fellow Christians not to be deceived by their doctrine.

Jesus rebuked the pharisees of shutting the door to Heaven by their prideful behaviour in their teaching of the law.

1 John 4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Thanks brother
good choice of scriptures.
 
Aug 12, 2010
2,819
12
0
#12
Hi Abiding. You are spot on!!!

Other groups like JW's, Mormons, Catholics, scientology, Masons etc are not part of the true church either. However, groups like Word of Faith and Latter Rain (Manifest Sons Of God, Joels Army, New Apostolic Reformation) do need to be exposed because their false teachings and false prophecies HAVE risen amongst us and evangelical Christians are being dangerously infected by them.
good to have you on the team Chingy.

may I call you Chingy?....no?....ok.....welcome John.
 
Aug 12, 2010
2,819
12
0
#13
(Ephesians 5:11) Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
 
J

JohnChingford2007

Guest
#14
good to have you on the team Chingy.

may I call you Chingy?....no?....ok.....welcome John.
Thanks Doc

You can call me Chingy if you want to. I appreciate the warmth (from you) revealed by wanting to call me that.

God bless