The Heart of Mercy: Why Only God Should Judge

The Weight of the Gavel In the bustling marketplace of first-century Corinth, tensions ran high between Jewish and Gentile believers. Some abstained from meat offered to idols, while others ate freely. Some observed the Sabbath strictly, while others treated all days alike. Sound familiar? The apostle Paul faced a church divided not by doctrine, but by judgment—believers condemning one another over matters of conscience and lifestyle. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” Jesus declared in Matthew 7:1. Yet centuries later, we still struggle with the same temptation that plagued the Corinthians: playing God in the lives of our brothers and sisters. The Speck and the Plank When Jesus spoke these words, He painted a vivid picture that would have made His audience chuckle—and then squirm. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” The image is almost comical: someone with a massive beam protruding from their eye trying to perform delicate surgery on someone else’s eyelash. The Greek word Jesus used for “judge” here is krino, which can mean to discern or decide, but in this context refers to condemnation—passing judgment in our day-to-day relationships. Jesus wasn’t forbidding all discernment; He was addressing the arrogant spirit that looks down on others while remaining blind to our own faults. Consider Simon the Pharisee, who watched a woman anoint Jesus’ feet with costly perfume. Simon judged by what he could see on the outside and decided this woman was unworthy of Jesus’ time and attention. Meanwhile, he failed to see his own lack of love and need for forgiveness. Jesus turned Simon’s critical thoughts around and directed them back, like a mirror, toward his own life. The Master’s House Paul understood this principle deeply when he wrote to the Romans: “But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Romans 14:10). Paul’s illustration is taken from human affairs, but he has in mind the divine Master. The servant in question belongs to and therefore is accountable to that Other. Just as we wouldn’t presume to discipline another person’s household servant, we shouldn’t assume authority over fellow believers who ultimately answer to Christ, not us. This doesn’t refer to judging our brothers over matters of sin or serious doctrinal error. We must judge one another on these matters. In this context, it refers to not judging one another over non-essential matters where the Bible gives no commands. The Hidden Things of Darkness The apostle Paul faced harsh criticism from the Corinthian church about his speaking ability and ministry style. His response reveals profound wisdom: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts” (1 Corinthians 4:5). We may not know the secret things of a person’s heart, but God does, and He will bring everything to light on judgment day. Only an omniscient God can measure our hearts entirely and without distortion. He has exhaustive insight into “the counsels of the hearts”. When we rush to judgment, we’re essentially claiming to possess God’s omniscience. We assume we know someone’s motives, their circumstances, their heart condition, and their relationship with the Lord. We end up playing God. And we know from the beginning of the whole story, back in Genesis 1-3, that playing God never works well. The Measure We Use Here’s the sobering reality: “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”. This isn’t merely a warning—it’s a spiritual law. The harsh, critical spirit we demonstrate toward others becomes the standard by which we ourselves will be evaluated. Hypocritical judgment is wrong. When we point out the sin of others while we ourselves commit the same sin, we condemn ourselves. Harsh, unforgiving judgment is wrong. Self-righteous judgment is wrong. The Heart of the Matter So what does this mean for how we live? Should we never express concern when we see a fellow believer struggling? Should we turn a blind eye to sin? Absolutely not. Jesus commends “right judgment.” We are to be discerning. We are to preach the whole counsel of God, including the Bible’s teaching on sin. We are to gently confront erring brothers or sisters in Christ. The difference lies in our heart posture. Are we approaching someone with: • Humility rather than arrogance? • Love rather than condemnation? • Restoration rather than destruction as our goal? • Self-examination before confrontation? The fact that I will stand before the judgment seat of God gives me the courage to confront a believer who is in sin or who is promoting serious error when by nature I would not do anything. But the fact that I will stand before God’s judgment seat should also cause me to refrain from speaking against a brother who may be doing or saying something that is not clearly commanded in Scripture. Grace in the Gray Areas The early church faced countless “gray area” issues—eating meat sacrificed to idols, observing religious festivals, dietary restrictions. Paul stressed a critical concern in God’s kingdom—that brothers and sisters act in love. Christians won’t be known for what they eat or drink, but for their love, righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Today, we might debate worship styles, political affiliations, educational choices, entertainment preferences, or lifestyle decisions. If Christians disagree on non-essential, disputable matters, neither side should condemn or judge the other, but both should be allowed to worship God as they are “fully convinced in their own mind”. The Final Verdict When we judge others harshly or prematurely, we give Satan a foothold to cause division within the church. Instead of building up the body of Christ, we tear it down. Instead of reflecting God’s mercy, we mirror the world’s condemnation. God says, “As finite beings, you do not have what it takes to make such complex judgments on your own. I have built you with everything it takes to love one another deeply, so keep doing that while you leave the judging part to me”. The next time you feel that familiar urge to pass judgment on someone’s choices, lifestyle, or spiritual maturity, remember: you’re not their judge. You’re their fellow servant, standing under the same grace, heading toward the same judgment seat, desperately in need of the same mercy. Let’s choose to be known not for our discerning criticism, but for our discerning love. “So then, everything you desire that people do to you, so also you do to them, for this is the Torah and the Prophets” - Matthew 7:12 Next Week: The Ministry of Restoration: How to Approach a Struggling Believer Subscribe to our weekly newsletter at [YourChurch].com | Share this message with a friend who needs encouragement