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5 Examples of Judging Others in the Bible: Learning from Scripture – Viral Believer
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5 Examples of Judging Others in the Bible: Learning from Scripture

Introduction

As Christians, we are called to love and serve others as Jesus did. Unfortunately, one area where many Christians struggle is in the area of judging others. It can be easy to criticize and condemn others, but it’s important to remember that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace.

The Bible contains many examples of individuals who judged others, and the consequences that followed. Through these examples, we can learn about the dangers of judging others and the importance of seeking forgiveness and repentance.

The purpose of this blog post is to explore examples of judging others in the Bible and what we can learn from them. We will examine stories from both the Old and New Testaments, including the Pharisees and the adulterous woman, David and Uriah, Job’s friends, and the unforgiving servant.

We will also look at what the Apostle Paul has to say about judging others in his letters to the Romans. By learning from these examples, we can grow in our understanding of how to avoid judging others and how to live a life of forgiveness and grace.

In this blog post, we will examine each of these stories in detail and highlight the key lessons that we can learn from them. We will also provide practical steps that we can take to avoid judging others and show love and compassion to those around us.

By studying these examples and taking these steps, we can become more Christ-like in our interactions with others and bring glory to God.

judging others in the Bible

The Pharisees and the Adulterous Woman

In John 8:1-11, we read the story of the Pharisees bringing an adulterous woman before Jesus, hoping to trap Him.

They reminded Jesus that the law called for the stoning of adulterers, and asked Him what He thought they should do. Jesus responded by saying, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7)

The Pharisees, realizing that they too were sinners, left one by one, leaving only Jesus and the woman. Jesus did not condemn the woman, but instead forgave her and told her to go and sin no more. This story reminds us that we are not in a position to judge others, as we too are sinners in need of forgiveness.

David and Uriah

In 2 Samuel 11, we see the story of David and Bathsheba. David saw Bathsheba bathing on a rooftop, and lusted after her. He then committed adultery with her, and when she became pregnant, he tried to cover up his sin by having her husband, Uriah, killed in battle.

When Nathan the prophet confronted David about his sin, David realized the error of his ways and repented. However, the consequences of his actions still affected his family for generations.

This story shows us that judging others can lead to devastating consequences, and that we must always be willing to repent and seek forgiveness when we sin.

Job’s Friends

In the book of Job, we see Job experiencing great suffering and loss, and his friends come to comfort him. However, instead of comforting him, they begin to judge and criticize him. They suggested that Job must have sinned in some way to deserve the suffering he was experiencing.

In Job 42:7, God rebukes Job’s friends and tells them, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”

This story reminds us that it is not our place to judge others, and that we must be careful not to assume that someone’s suffering is the result of their sin.

The Unforgiving Servant

In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. In the story, a servant owes a great debt to his master, and the master forgives the debt. However, when the servant encounters a fellow servant who owes him a small debt, he refuses to forgive him and has him thrown into prison.

When the master finds out about the unforgiving servant’s actions, he is angry and has the servant thrown into prison as well. This story reminds us that we must be willing to forgive others, just as God has forgiven us.

Paul’s Letter to the Romans

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he addresses the issue of judging others. He writes, “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2:1)

This passage emphasizes that when we judge others, we are actually condemning ourselves because we too are sinners.

Paul goes on to say in Romans 14:10, “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” This verse reminds us that we will all stand before Christ one day, and we will be judged for our own actions, not the actions of others.

Learning from Scripture

These examples from Scripture teach us that judging others can lead to devastating consequences, and that it is not our place to judge others. We must remember that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace, and that we must always be willing to seek forgiveness and repent when we sin.

So how can we avoid judging others? Here are some practical steps we can take:

  1. Focus on our own sin. Instead of focusing on the faults of others, we should focus on our own sin and seek to repent and grow in our faith.
  2. Practice humility. We must remember that we are not better than anyone else and that we too are in need of grace. When we are humble, we are less likely to judge others.
  3. Show compassion. When we show compassion to others, we are less likely to judge them. We should seek to understand others’ perspectives and show love and kindness, even when we disagree with them.
  4. Hold ourselves accountable. We should be willing to accept correction from others and hold ourselves accountable for our actions. When we take responsibility for our own sin, we are less likely to judge others.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible provides us with clear examples of the dangers of judging others and the importance of seeking forgiveness and repentance. We must remember that we are all sinners in need of God’s grace and that we should strive to love and serve others as Jesus did.

By focusing on our own sin, practicing humility, showing compassion, and holding ourselves accountable, we can avoid the negative consequences of judging others.

Furthermore, we should keep in mind the words of Paul in Romans 14:10, which remind us that we will all stand before Christ one day, and we will be judged for our own actions, not the actions of others.

Therefore, it is vital that we make every effort to live a life of love and grace towards others, seeking to serve them and show them the same forgiveness and mercy that God has shown us.

In all things, let us strive to follow the example of Jesus, who showed us what it means to love and serve others unconditionally. May we be filled with His grace and compassion, and may we seek to extend that same love to those around us.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.