I thought that judging others was a sin??

Question

So why are so many (not all) Christians the first to say you're going to hell or God will do this and that to you for your sins. Isn't that just a bit hypocritical when by saying those things your sinning yourselves. I'm not saying that ALL Christians do this but a good number do. For those that judge, why is it acceptable for you to sin but no one else??

I'm enjoying reading answers from all different viewpoints. Keep them coming. I was hoping that this would be an intelligent debate instead of a battle of religious views and so far it's been great =)

I have to address the whole "You're going to hell" being said out of love. Accordong to Christianity, its the actions of your life that lead of to the decision of whether or not you're going to hell, correct? That decision is completely up to God so for another sinner to tell me I'm going to hell seems a tad bit judgemental. Why not just pray for the state of someone's soul instead of telling them they're going to hell?

Answer 1

Alright, I'm a Christian and I believe that no one really has the ability to say any of that stuff. I tend to agree with you on this one. I personally think it's because they don't understand exactly what they are saying. We are not exactly ones to judge others. I'm not perfect. So, I really can't say that... at all. But I do try to help. I try to live the best I can. I try to be nice to everyone and give respect to everyone. So, I guess I can say... I like to help people. Good question though, I really don't know the answer. Sorry... did I help at all? I hope so.

Answer 2

Remember first off that just because they are Christians doesn't mean they too do not make mistakes. We may be saved but we are still far from Perfect we still sin too. We are trying not to but we still fail. Also the word "judge" is thrown about quite a bit. Pointing something out that is the truth is NOT judging. (just like you are pointing it out to us right now I am sure you are not Judging us) If I point to a dog and say it is a DOG and it might bite you I am not Judging the Dog merely pointing out that a Dog is there and one possible thing that could happen is a Bite.

So For instance when I talk to a person (or answer someone online) who says he likes to look at Porn. I am answering the same way. I tell them the Facts about Porn and a consequences to their life and Eternal Life based on what I know because of the Bible. Now some people choose to take that as Judgement and that is probably because they are Fighting off Conviction... But that doesn't mean that What I did was Judgemental it is just thier Perception of it.

Answer 3

Judging others is not a sin. Nowhere in the Bible does it specifically prohibit judging someones behavior. The sin comes from judging someone's soul. I can tell you that a murderer is a sinner. I can tell you a thief is a sinner. We can judge behavior but not the soul. Any sinner ( which is all of us) can ask for and receive forgiveness for our sins. No one other than God can know if a person is sincere. The Bible say do not judge UNLESS you are willing to be judged by the same standard. Unfortunately most English translations do not make that clear.

Answer 4

If a mother tells her child, "You will get hurt if you play in traffic," that's not judging.

It's issuing a warning about some terrible event that is a real possible consequence of a given action. It's a loving act on behalf of the mother -- not to mention her motherly duty.

Likewise, if someone is engaging in severe and unrepentant sin, it's an act of charity if another person tells them of the consequences of the behavior.

That's not judging. That's issuing a warning. As with the mother and child mentioned above, it means that the person cares.

Answer 5

Judge not or you will be judged. All have sinned and are not worthy of the glory of God. I take these words of God to heart!
We are all sinners and all deserve hell. Thank God He gave us a way out. We can be forgiven! To be a Christian is to be saved,
but not perfect. Even Christians sin. Only God has the right to judge others. I am sorry for those who are judgmental, they either no not what they do or are mislead.

Answer 6

If a mother tells her child, "You will get hurt if you play in traffic," that's not judging.

It's issuing a warning about some terrible event that is a real possible consequence of a given action. It's a loving act on behalf of the mother -- not to mention her motherly duty.

Likewise, if someone is engaging in severe and unrepentant sin, it's an act of charity if another person tells them of the consequences of the behavior.

That's not judging. That's issuing a warning. As with the mother and child mentioned above, it means that the person cares.

Answer 7

We shouldn't judge or condemn other ppl. However, we do need to speak against their sin, if they commit a sin we need to tell them it's a sin and they need to stop. Otherwise it's like watching someone blindly walk toward a cliff and not tell them to stop. To say nothing would be unChristian as it wouldn't be loving them. Telling ppl that they sin should be done in love so that they recognize the error and turn from it. However, I think telling ppl, "ur going to hell!", while it may be true, isn't a wise or loving thing to do. Also, it isn't ok for us to sin; in fact, since we know God's Law and know that we sin, we should be all the more careful to avoid it.

Answer 8

It is the way you judge people. For example if you judge someone for their material things then that's a sin and if you judge someone with same problem, or a problem you never had then that is wrong; but if you judge someone's character in a effort to help that person then it is right.
Matthew 7:1-2
" Do not Judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you wqill be judgred, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Answer 9

First, the thing about "Judge not lest ye be judged" is often taken out of complete context. It deals with hypocracy, as the passage continues on with, "for how can you remove the splinter in your brother's eye, when you've got a log in your own".

The thing is, though, is that we are called to judge ourselves, to ask, "am I sinning?", and to help our brothers and sisters by helping them become aware of their own sins and helping them through it. To those who are not saved, we can talk about it, in a one-on-one manner as individuals, but by no means are we to belittle you for it, for we once were there ourselves.

This is where the line is drawn between offering the chance to salvation, and being obnoxious. A far better way, than to point out your sins to you... is to let you see your sins for yourself. (Note to all interested Christians... check out http://www.livingwaters.com). Juanita also brings up a good point, of the difference between "judgement" and "warning".

And we have no right to sin any more than you do. The difference is, is that we don't have a 'license to sin', and realize it, and do our best not to anymore.

Answer 10

Good question. Paul (I believe in Romans) did warn us about judging others. Yes, it is hypocritical. However, just because we are christians, doesn't mean we are free from sin. Everybody sins, no matter the faith. While many of us should be more careful about this particular area, we should also not be held to a higher standard of not sinning because we are christians - we're still people - who in accordance with our beliefs - cannot escape sin.

However, just because everybody sins, is not an excuse to try to not try to better ourselves or overcome them.