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.)
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.)
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