Judging Others - A View from Scripture - Part 4

On one hand we have scriptural admonition - "don't judge',
however, also have scriptural admonition - "do judge"!

 The answer found in John 7:24 = summary sentence

Last week = when it is right to judge another (others?)
Examples:  choosing church leadership, national leadership, matters of money and giving of that money, when faced with blatant sin.

TODAY = when is it wrong to judge another?  when is it sinful?
START with a classic passage:  Matt. 7:1-5

IT IS WRONG TO JUDGE ANOTHER:

#1.  WHEN EXERCISING A FAULT-FINDING SPIRIT   ie:  hypercritical - "speck"

a couple non-scriptural quotes:  "any fool can criticize and condemn and most fools do";  "some Christians are born again.  Others seem born against."

This = faultfinding TO NO POSITIVE END/PURPOSE - no correction, no instruction or restoration, no real purpose.   (except personal satisfaction!! - I enjoy criticizing and condemning!!!

#2.  WHEN THE JUDGMENT IS MERELY GOSSIP 
Contrast:  Slander = false charge, misrepresentation - Ex. 20:16 - making statements that NOT true
               Gossip may be true!! - BUT sharing it is neither necessary or beneficial!!!
Serves NO purpose, not helpful in any way.

Is gossip a big deal?   Rom. 1:28-31, 1 Tim. 5:13 (gossips & busybodies), Matt. 12:34-37
On one hand, this = Jesus speaking to the detractors, opposition.  However, it illustrates the weight of the WORDS we speak!!!!

How to determine?  Are we sharing valuable information?  or gossip?

Ask yourself - is sharing this necessary?  Is sharing this beneficial?  - Eph. 4:29

A prayer - Psm. 141:3-4 - gossip = evil, sinful
advice - Prov. 20:19 - (apply to Facebook?) 

So, it is wrong to judge another 1) when exercising a faultfinding spirit.
                                              2)  when the judgment is gossip

#3.  WHEN YOU'VE FAILED TO JUDGE YOURSELF
Matt. 7:3, 4 - not paying attention, owning own problem
Example:  Jesus' 7 woes to the Pharisees - Matt. 23:25-28 - look beyond the exterior
               Gal. 6:1, 1 Cor. 11:31

#4.  WHEN THE JUDGMENT CONCERNS QUESTIONABLE ISSUES - Rom. 14:1-6,10,13
Things not a part of fundamental orthodox Christianity - not critical issues
Problem = ongoing debate of "what's clear" vs. what's questionable"
Nevertheless, this Rule merits serious consideration, examination

Example:  Church splits - are rarely, if ever, the result of clear doctrine.
                                    most often come because of personal preferences, questionable issues!!!

Observations:
1)  a judgmental attitude goes beyond verbal.  (can "look down" on people in silence, disdain within - God knows our heart.
2)  most (all?) of us have this tendency, problem
Therefore:
3)  First need = "judging self"!!!

Then - 4) (when necessary) con judge others - "PROPERLY"  balancing the A) words of Christ and B) the Spirit of Christ. 

Bottom line = is Jesus my Lord?  If He says you have a problem in this area, are you willing to fix it???