We’re Not to Judge – But Inspecting the Fruit Is Okay

The image of the late comedian, Flip Wilson, sticks in my mind. One of his acts featured a man in flowing black robes accompanied by the tune, “Here comes the judge, here comes the judge. Order in the court, ‘cause here comes the judge.” The talented Sammy Davis Jr. was known for a similar routine on TV’s “Laugh-In” comedy show. Both his and Wilson’s skits were humorous, in part because most of the time there’s not much funny about having to stand before a judge in a courtroom.

I’ve only done this a few times, including serving on a jury and being an eyewitness for a civil case involving a friend. But even then, being in a courtroom before someone authorized to pass judgment is intimidating. Thankfully I haven’t had to do that often.

 

But what about judging outside a courtroom? At one time or another we’ve all acted as self-appointed judges. The other day I was resting after a workout at the gym when a woman walked in covered with tattoos, including a couple on her face. I couldn’t help wondering, “Now why would someone do that?” Yes, I was judging – guilty as charged.

 

Of course, we know that in the Bible, Jesus Christ warned against judging others. He said, “Do not judge, or you will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). There is it: Jesus said we’re not to judge others. However, we sometimes forget why. In the very next verse He said, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

 

What the Lord was saying is there’s good reason for not passing judgment on others because we tend to overlook our own sins and shortcomings, justifying those while appointing ourselves judge and jury of the actions and behavior of others.

 

Jesus went on to state, “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?... You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5).

 

As Romans 3:10-12 declares, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God…there is no one who does good, not even one.” Those are harsh words. We want to defend ourselves, reasoning, ‘Hey, I do lots of good things.’ Perhaps, but the Scriptures teach even our good deeds are tainted by sin, often prompted by improper motives.

 

God is the one and only Judge, not us. It’s His job alone to commend and to condemn. The Bible repeatedly makes this clear. However, that doesn’t suggest taking an attitude of “Que sera, sera” – whatever will be will be.

 

We don’t have to ignore the wrongdoings of others, or even to condone them. If we know someone is being dishonest, unethical, or immoral, we’re not commanded to turn a blind eye or deaf ear to them. The Scriptures say at times it’s appropriate to correct or rebuke wrongful behavior. But we’re to do it in a biblical manner.

 

In 2 Timothy 3:16 we’re told, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” This admonition is directed primarily to believers, reminding us the Bible, not our own sense of moral rightness and propriety, must be the basis for dealing with someone who’s in the wrong. It’s acceptable to rebuke, correct and teach – giving the truth in love.

 

Jesus gave a three-step process for seeking to restore someone who’s gotten sidetracked. He told His disciples, “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, judge between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses’” (Matthew 18:15-16).

 

This approach is traditionally practiced in our American court system, using more than one witness to establish what’s true rather than wrangling with a ‘he said, she said’ scenario.

 

The third step in the correction process, Jesus said, is what’s commonly referred to as church discipline: “If he refuses to listen to them (the witnesses), tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (Matthew 18: 17). If someone is insistent on doing wrong and won’t repent, we’re to demonstrate what’s often called “tough love.”

 

This doesn’t mean judging others. But we’re authorized to be “fruit inspectors.” The Lord said, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit…. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16-20).

 

For instance, just because someone claims to be a Christian, that doesn’t always mean that’s true. As Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

 

A civil court judge reaches verdicts based on evidence. Similarly, no matter what someone claims to believe, if there’s no outward evidence of it, we have reason to question, even be skeptical. John the Baptist made this clear. Speaking to Pharisees and Sadducees, leaders who eagerly performed religious rituals but displayed no evidence of sincere hearts for God, he offered this challenge: “Therefore produce fruits that are consistent with repentance…” (Luke 3:8).

 

We’re not to judge others, particularly because we often don’t apply the same standard of judgment to ourselves. But when we see someone living and acting contrary to biblical standards, it might be necessary to serve as fruit inspectors.