discernjudge

Lesson 11

Discernment vs. Judgment

God warns that those who judge others will themselves be judged. So, we are instructed not to judge.
Matthew 7:1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged:
and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we
shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Yet, we are told to judge some things.
1Corinthians 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
1Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

We will judge angels, and we must judge ourselves.

Further, Jesus said we would know men by their fruits. So, we are to judge those who profess to be
teachers and prophets; we are to judge prophecies, whether they be of God, and teachings, whether
they be accurate interpretations of God's Word.

We are told to be discerning.
1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many
false prophets are gone out into the world.

There is even a spiritual gift of discernment.

What is the difference between judging and discerning?
Let’s define the words (by definition of the original Greek words in the text):

Discern - to examine; to prove or test; to ask questions; to evaluate; to weigh thoroughly; to try.

Judge - to pass judgment or sentence; to decide; to condemn.

Six basic Indicators that expose a judgmental spirit.

1.         If another’s failure improves the opinion I have of myself, I am judging.
2.         If another’s failure decreases my concern for my own faults, I am judging.
3.         If another’s failure gives me a desire to see that they are punished, I am judging.
4.         If I am eager to tell others about another’s failure, I am judging.
5.         If another’s failure prompts me to review their past failures, I am judging.
6.         If another’s failure causes me to feel that I cannot forgive them, I am judging.

Basic Factors of Discernment vs. Judgmental Spirit

A discerning Christian is one who detects a fault in another and is able to give clear direction for victory
based on the principles of God’s Word and his own application of them. On this basis, he is able to
restore an offending brother rather than reject him.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the
spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (AV)

How A Judgmental Spirit Reveals Our Own Sins

Do You Know The Difference Between Reproving And Reviling?

Reproving - Scripture associates exhorting with the action of reproving or rebuking an offending
brother. Together these three provide the necessary balance to approach a brother who needs
correction.

Reprove - to tell someone his fault, to admonish, to convince someone of his error; to give evidence; to
convict

Rebuke - to command, to charge, to order; to admonish

Exhort - to beg, to urge; to encourage, to request, to ask, to appeal to; to console, to comfort, to cheer
up; to call to one side and urge to pursue a course of action

Reviling - the sin of reviling or railing.

Revile - to reproach, to denounce, to insult, to taunt, to chide; to speak evil of

Rail - to vilify; to speak impiously; to defame; to speak evil

Basic Factors of Reproving vs. Reviling

There is a major difference between reproving and reviling. We are told in Scripture to reprove an
offending brother, but some who believe they are reproving are, in reality, reviling. Reviling is such a
serious offense that a Christian who persists in doing it is to be totally avoided by other Christians.

1 Corinhians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a
brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with
such an one no not to eat.

Evaluating Evidences of Disrespectful Attitudes
(Be careful what you communicate through your words and actions.)

One who discerns will thoroughly examine himself before evaluating the actions of others. Galatians 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?	*One who* *judges* will condemn others for their visible problems but fail to realize that their attitudes stem from root problems which he himself has not yet overcome. Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
One who discerns will check the accuracy of all the facts and related factors before reaching a conclusion. 1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.	*One who* *judges* will form opinions on first impressions of hearsay, and then he will look for evidence to confirm his opinions, even though the evidence may be out of context. John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
One who discerns will deal as privately as possible with the problem he sees. 1 Corinthians 6:5-6 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.	*One who* *judges* will publicly expose those whom he condemns. This may cause others to condemn him for having the same root problem such as pride, lack of love, or a critical spirit. Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

What we condemn in others	The root problem of the sin that we condemn	Are we guilty of the same sin?
Not giving us our share	Covetousness and greed	Do we have a temporal or worldly focus?
Those who dress immodestly	Moral impurity	Do we have lustful eyes and secret desires for immorality?
Being critical of others	Bitterness and rejection	Do we have an unloving and rejecting spirit toward the one whom we condemn?

One who reviles or rails has the basic objective of exposing one whom he has already judged.	One who reproves or rebukes has the basic objective of restoring an offender through exhortation.
One who reviles or rails declaims any further responsibility for or association with the one whom he has judged.	One who reproves or rebukes combines live and truth when correcting a brother. Truth without love is harshness. Love without truth is compromise.
One who reviles or rails recognizes no restrictions on his efforts to vilify or defame.	One who reproves or rebukes is aware of certain limitations.

Yawning loudly while another individual is speaking	“I am tired of listening to you.”
Failing to acknowledge one who greets you	“You are not important to me.”
Slouching in a classroom chair	“I am really here against my will.”
Looking at a watch or clock while someone is speaking to you	“I think you have already talked too long.”
Tapping with fingers or pen while someone else is speaking	“How much longer do I have to endure this?”
Running in church	“I do not respect God.”

Unspoken Expression

Possible Translation By Others

Frowning at the dinner someone prepared	“You have no right to fix something I do not like.”
Listening to one who whispers to you while someone else is talking	“I do not respect you as much as the one who is whispering to me.”
Gazing around the room during a message	“What you are saying is not important for me to hear.”
Frowning at the one who is speaking	“Are you sure know what you are talking about?”
Making sloppy clothes your normal attire	“I do not think much of the way God made me.”
Continuing to watch television when visitors have arrived	“Why did you have to bother me now?”