By Al Collins

Many Christians say we aren’t supposed to judge, which isn’t a correct doctrine.

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

“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”” 1 Corinthians 5: 11-13

We have an obligation to judge those who call themselves Christian, according to God’s standards, not man’s. For instance, here it says we are to judge Christians who are sexually immoral (according to God, not man) and avoid them. This would include family and friends and those who are part of a fellowship that we attend. There is a process in place in Matthew 18: 15-17.

When a Christian will not listen to the church body of believers regarding their sin, then this person is no longer to be treated as a believer. If the leadership of this fellowship will not judge Christians, who will not repent and stop sinning, then the leader is sinning and also those who accept this false doctrine. You should leave this group or you will be judged by God, as your staying with such a group, signifies acceptance of a false doctrine.

It also says in 1 Corinthians 5 above that we are not to judge non-Christians, as God does that.

“He who rejects Me (Jesus), and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” John 12: 48 (See also Romans 14:12; 1 Peter 4:17 and 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Jesus says here that if a person rejects His words or Gospel or doctrine of Truth (in this case regarding judging Christians and not judging non-Christians), then this person will be judged by God.

So God’s doctrine is that as Christians we are commanded to judge other Christians, and we are commanded not to judge non-Christians.

Christians who do otherwise do so at their own peril.