GODLY AND CONSTRUCTIVE JUDGMENT
AUGUST 6, 2025
TEXT: Matthew 7:1-5
KEY VERSE: Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Oftentimes, in our Christian journey, we find various instances where some people fall astray, and in a bid to perhaps assist them or guide them back to the right path, many often ignorantly term it as being judged. It often becomes difficult to even ascertain when a person is being judgmental and when such a person is being genuinely concerned.
To begin with, Jesus Christ admonished us not to assume the roles of judges over other people. This is because, sometimes, if care is not taken, we may be erroneous in our judgment and even make God angry while doing that. Our perception of such a person may be quite different from God’s perception. However, regardless of the above, the Bible also gives room for constructive criticism. Apostle Paul admonished the Galatians in Galatians 6:1 that if any of the brethren is caught in transgression, the brethren should try to restore him in the spirit of gentleness. This could take the form of mildly rebuking such a person with love and not with bitterness. Something similar can also be found in Proverbs 27:5-6 and Matthew 18:15.
The essence of this teaching is to point out the fact that God is not against correction and chastisement at all. As a matter of fact, God himself chastises those who have made themselves available for his use whenever they err. However, what God frowns against is destructive criticisms and criticisms that hurt, rather than heal or restore.
KEY FACTS
- Correct and chastise, but not with a spirit of infallibility, supremacy, and superiority. Acknowledge the fact that you are fallible yourself and that your correction is borne out of genuine and sincere concern. The Bible lends credence to the fact that without proper care, any man who thinks he stands firmly may fall at any time. Thus, correct in love without necessarily feeling that you are standing because of your own perfection.
- As much as possible, correction should be done privately, except where it is not possible. Don’t go about sharing details of other people’s falls with everyone that comes your way.
- When you see your brother going astray, your main motive should not be to humiliate such a person but to “heal” and restore.
- Make sure you are also standing firmly. It is when you are deeply rooted in Christ that you can be of help to your erring brother. Two blind men cannot lead each other on a hunting expedition. They will both fall into the ditch. Don’t abandon your own spiritual lukewarmness to attend to another person’s own.
- Deal more with issues of correction in the place of prayers. Don’t be eager to score a cheap point in public over your fellow brother who has fallen unfortunately.
SEARCHLIGHT: Don’t hide under the cloak of “judge not” to commit sins with pleasure and remain unaccountable. Jesus merely used that injunction as a check on brutal judgment and not positive chastisement.
BIBLE READING: Ecclesiastes 9-11, Revelation 22
PRAYER: O LORD, help me to be spiritually discerning in my judgments, in the Mighty name of Jesus Christ.
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
