Isn't telling people they are going to heaven or hell equating yourself with God?

Question

Only God has the power to judge other people. By judging people and telling them they will go to heaven or hell is equating oneself with God. Isn't this a form of idolatry?

I don't judge anyone and I never will.

I think many of you think I don't believe in God. I do I am Catholic.

Answer 1

Right on!! The bible says judge not lest you be judeged!!

Answer 2

I agree with you 100%!!!! Judging another like that is indeed amongst the worst of sins. No wonder. Look what it's done so far! I think if all of the judgemental people (from the moderates who teach their children that their neighbor of a different religion will go to Hell to the crazies like Osama bin Laden, for example) were sent to Hell for a few days and then brought back to Earth, the world would be a much better place.

Answer 3

No! Why are you upset when others tell non-believers the truth? Jesus did! Every believer has the authority to tell the truth in Love. Why lie to nonbelievers about their destination? We are to go into the World and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why can't we tell them their rewards if they follow Christ or not? That would be preaching half of the good news and water down religion! The truth will make you free! God will judge us if we don't warn others!
I believe that you are in fear of what others have said about evangelizing. God does not give us a spirit of fear but of love,joy and a sound mind. We are commanded as ministers and ambassadors of Christ to witness with love. Don't confuse witnessing and judging. They are separate. To say that you don't judge is hypocritical because you just did in ur comments!

Answer 4

Definitely the bullseye. How would a christian know that someone will go to heaven or hell? Because the Bible said so? How sure are we that they interpreted or misinterpreted its message? But most important of all is that we have to understand that we are not the judges, we are all accused who will all stand trial before God. And those of you who tell me, a Catholic, that I will go to hell, don't be surprised if we meet again each other side by side standing before God. So, brace yourselves and watch your own mistakes and not your brothers' for your brother can take care of themselves. By checking on others you might miss yours. good luck.

Answer 5

You are right . The bible says that many people will be in heaven that we never thought would make it...and many people that we thought were "certainties" will not be there. No matter how bad or sinful we think someone may be, you NEVER KNOW what happened to them at their time of death. Did they call out to the Lord just as their car was being smashed?, or did the old miser dying in his hospital bed repent in private before he drew his last breathe?? I guess the only one who knows whoes names are written in the Book of Life is the Creator Himself! You have the right attitude by not judging anyone at all!

Answer 6

We as Christians are not here to judge others. God is the only judge. I think the biggest judgement Christians (and other religions) make is that non-believers, or those with different worship beliefs will go to hell. There are many religions on this planet and I believe God....being the one who created many different types of people...acknowledges our individuality in the way we all worship Him. For some, Christ is a natural path to Him. For others, it might be another route. Perhaps, in His infinite wisdom, God designed it that way. When the Bible says the only way past the pearly gates is through Christ, some Christians (including many Methodists, which is what I am) believe that means that those who follow in Christ's ways are let in. Don't all regions of people on this big blue marble have a view of good versus evil....generosity versus greed? Can't someone who doesn't have a deep relationship with Christ, still behave Christlike? This makes sense to me when there are people in the farthest reaches of the world who don't know Jesus because of remoteness, or who have simply been taught a particular way of worship and nothing more? Is God that merciless to banish them all to hell without even having the opportunity to know Christ? What about someone I know who's mom died when he was 5, and his life was filled with loneliness and abuse because of it? This friend doesn't believe in God, no matter how much I talked to him about it because he doesn't understand how God could allow such a thing to happen. Meanwhile he is the most Christ-like person I have ever met.
Judgemental arrogance is the reason some turn a deaf ear to religion. But true Christians (since I'm Christian, I will use that as an example) don't take it upon themselves to judge. They should walk the walk and be an example of Christ-like behaviour. That's our message....not...."you're gonna burn in hell!!!!!"
I have trouble believing that a God who created the universe is that simple simon, black & white.
When you have so many people arguing over umpteen translations over the Bible, the last thing I'm going to do is listen to anyone other than hearing God's imprint on my heart. Following Christ's messages works for me and because it does, I'm not going to condemn someone who worships God through another religion. As for atheists, I will pray that God's light fills them one day in some shape or form. As for their fate, I have no idea what will happen. I am not God.
Shoving religion down someone's unwilling throat doesn't get them to know God or Christ. Instead, those who believe in God can be living demonstrations of what non-believers are missing without God in their life. God gave free will. God makes the judgement calls over what is done with that free will.

Answer 7

It is not a matter of judging it is a matter of warning someone.
In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE; NO MAN COMETH TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME"
That is what the Scriptures say and unless one repents of their sins and turns to Christ ALONE, then they are going to hell.
Why would they want to go to heaven anyway if they reject Christ? What would be the point?
Saying I dont judge people and i never will, You have just judged people!!!!

Answer 8

I'm sorry but I must disagree. Its not that we are judging you, we think to ourselves we want to share this gift God gave us with others. It is no benefit to us whether you become saved and go to heaven or go to hell.

Yes I have met very one minded Christians, but you must understand that most only mean it in a good way. They tell you you are going to hell because your a sinner. But what they don't tell you is the basis, like how they know your going to heaven or hell. Like on the day of judgment God will judge with the 10 commandments and if you are guilty of just one commandment you are going to hell not heaven.

#2 says: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain.

We have all done that one and...

#5 says: Thou shalt honor your father and mother.

We have all lied at some point in time to our parents, therefore, we are guilty.

And there are many more we are guilty of.

They are not trying to take themselves up to God's level, they just want you to accept His gift but might not know the best way to help you understand.

Answer 9

True, only God can be the judge. Yet, some people who deny God and are clearly rebelling against him...who practice mass murder, etc. without remorse...those people are pretty clearly bound for Hell. I don't think it's a big stretch to state that.

Answer 10

Warning people that if they continue on the path that they are on will result in being condemned to Hell isn't the same as making yourself God and predicting their future. We are not called to judge other people but we are called to echo what God has to say about their actions, whether it be in praise or in telling them that what they are doing is sinful in God's eyes.

Just today my Pastor preached on that subject where he spoke about loving people to life. He talked about how it isn't "loving" to just ignore destructive behavior and act like you are doing the other person a favor.

Answer 11

No. i am not judging - i am telling them that the bible teached there is one way to salvation - thru Jesu sChrist our Lord. no one knows their hearts except God - but the great comission tells us to go out into all the world and preach the gospel. the literal meaning of the word gospel is good news. and the good news is that heaven is a free gift! Want 2 know more - contact me.