Judge Righteously

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.  -John 7:24 

We see a lot of unfair judging these days.  Even many in the Christian world are unfair and condemning.  All the while thinking they are doing God a favor in their unfair assaults on others, and justifying the guilty. 

A few general rules: 

1.  Be patient. 

Wait a reasonable amount of time for the truth to come out.  Sometimes this means waiting for the conclusion of a trial. 

He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.  -Proverbs 18:13

2.  Be cautious about accusing others of lying. 

A lie is a deliberate telling of something false. 

If someone disagrees with you, that is not a lie. 

If someone tells something they sincerely believe to be true, it is not a lie. 

If someone says what they believe to be true, but it turns out to be false – that is not a lie.  It was incorrect information, but not an intentional lie. 

You lose credibility, and it is downright crude and inaccurate to constantly accuse others of lying. 

Sometimes you may need to give your opponent the benefit of the doubt. 

Even when you are convinced the other person is lying, there are times when you would do best to not call them a liar.  Just stick with the facts and reasonable arguments. 

By all means feel free to disagree with what you believe to be untrue; just be careful about resorting to name-calling. 

Calling someone a liar is also very personal.  How about sticking to the issues, rather than attacking the person. 

Calling someone a liar should be rare to non-existent.  Don’t call someone a liar unless there is clear evidence of such. 

3.  Stick with the issues.  Don’t get personal.  Don’t make personal attacks. 

4.  Be willing to sincerely hear both sides, and all sides, of the issue.  As Scripture points out, often an issue seems open and shut, until you hear the other side of the story. 

The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.  -Proverbs 18:17 NKJV

5.  Be fair in allowing the other side to present their evidence. Allow both sides to explain.  

You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.  -Leviticus 19:15

The one who justifies the wicked and the one who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to Yahweh.  -Proverbs 17:15   

6.  On the internet, do not go back and delete your incriminating comments. 

If your comment turns out to be wrong, leave it up.  But also admit you were wrong and apologize.  Be mature and own up to it.  I’ve seen some make false or foolish statements; when they were proven wrong, they just quietly deleted their previous statements.  They never admitted they were wrong.  They never apologized. 

7.  As a general rule: Private sins should be confessed privately; Public sins should be confessed publicly. 

On the internet, some have openly and very publicly (for all the world to see) falsely accused someone.  Then when the accuser found out they were wrong, they privately confessed.  That is better than nothing, but certainly not enough.  And certainly not fair. 

Newspapers have sometimes been guilty of this.  Their front page above the fold headline falsely accuses, then they later admit the error in tiny print on page 18, or at the end of a lengthy article. 

If you falsely accuse publicly, then you should admit it and apologize publicly. 

8.  As Scripture says, do not follow a crowd to do evil. 

It’s easy to jump on the bandwagon.  It’s easy to go along with your friends, family, or a mob.  Some do evil in a mob, they would never do alone.  Your job is to do what’s right, whether or not it’s popular. 

You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.  -Exodus 23:2

9.  Remember the written word can sound much harsher than a word spoken in person.  It also has more far-reaching effects.  With the internet, it can help to imagine you are saying the words directly to the person, and in the presence of others.  It can help if you assume everyone, including your family and close friends, will be reading your comments. 

10.  Victim shaming is sometimes just a way of saying you should consider only one side of the issue.  Victim shaming should not happen, but both sides should be fairly considered, and both sides should be questioned.  Sometimes tough questions need to be asked and answered, on all sides. 

11.  Carefully evaluate whether the witness is giving valid evidence and information, or just blowing smoke.  Does it relate to the issue at hand?  Know the difference between hard evidence, convincing evidence, weak evidence, hearsay, opinion. 

12.  Sometimes you need to consult the law.  If it involves illegal activity, you certainly need to do so.  Follow the laws of the land.  Frankly, often our legal system can do a better job than you or I. 

13.  Sometimes you need to carefully listen to a good prosecutor, defense lawyer, judge, investigator.  Sometimes you need to get a second opinion. 

14.  For a Christian, it goes without saying, you should pray, follow the Lord’s leadership, and use the Bible as your final rule of faith and practice. 

15.  There is safety in a multitude of counselors.  But choose your counselors prudently.  Get good, godly advice. 

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.  -Proverbs 11:14

For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.  -Proverbs 24:6

16.  Be aware that some people flat out lie about any number of issues.  Many have been falsely accused.  An accuser may be telling the truth, partial truth, or a lie.  That is true whether it be a man, woman, child, or any ethnic or religious group.  That is why you need to be discerning and carefully weigh the evidence.  Still, be sparing in calling someone a liar, but be aware people do lie and/or inaccurately testify. 

The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps.  -Proverbs 14:15

17.  Are there ulterior motives? 

18.  Some truths do not need to be told.  Is it needful?  Or is it just meant to hurt someone? 

19.  God is a God of truth.  He is pleased when we are kind, fair, honest.  We are to be people of integrity. 

Some Scripture on judgement to wisely consider:

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.  -Exodus 20:16 NKJV

You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.  -Exodus 23:2

 You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.  -Leviticus 19:15

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.  -Proverbs 11:14

The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps.  -Proverbs 14:15

The one who justifies the wicked and the one who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to Yahweh.  -Proverbs 17:15   

He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.  -Proverbs 18:13

The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.  -Proverbs 18:17 NKJV

A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.  -Proverbs 22:3; 27:12

For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.  -Proverbs 24:6

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  -Isaiah 5:20

And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?  -Micah 6:8

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.  -John 7:24

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  -John 8:32

-David R. Brumbelow, gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com, February 28, AD 2022. 

Note:  Please pray for, and support Ukraine!  Pray for peace, strength, freedom.  Pray for Revival, Spiritual Awakening. 

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