Is it Wrong to Judge?

Currently, there is an alarming trend among Christian circles (meaning Christians who are born-again, blood-bought by Jesus death and resurrection, and Bible-believing followers).  It has to do with being afraid to speak up when it comes to disagreeing with Biblically forbidden lifestyles (for example: same-sex relationships, acceptance of transgender operations, sex before marriage) and other evil practices CLEARLY FORBIDDEN in Scripture.   We don't want to seem judgemental because we know we are not perfect ourselves.  Also, we don't want to suffer persecution because we speak the truth of God's unalterable Word!  We want to be loving and extend God's grace (yet, grace is only grace when a person is fully aware of and repentant of their sinful state, or else it isn't grace, is it?). What is happening is that we may have become so accustomed to the world's ungodly way of thinking that we don't see anything wrong when we let things slide and remain silent!  What is wrong with this picture?   

When we remain silent, the people of the world who don't know God think that we are agreeing with them!  But does it really matter what the people of the world think of us, or does it matter MORE what GOD THINKS OF US?  I have come to believe that when we do not stand out as "set apart" (holy) people of God, then we no longer fear God, but we fear man more!  That is a dangerous place to be, and a place we need to quickly vacate as if a building were on fire!! 

Scripture gives us clear instruction on how we are to conduct ourselves when it comes to the evil affairs of this world: 

Eph 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Eph 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Eph 5:4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Eph 5:5  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Eph 5:7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Eph 5:8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Eph 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Eph 5:10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Eph 5:11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Eph 5:12  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Eph 5:13  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Eph 5:14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  

Let's take a closer look at why it is imperative that we speak up when we see evil seem to prevail all around us.  For one thing, people need to know that a sinful lifestyle offers no freedom, and that every action will have a consequence.  For example, if we don’t offer an alternative, which  is salvation that gives us ultimate freedom from sin, the Bible says that the consequence is imminent – we are dead in our sins and we will die without hope (John 3:15-21). Where in the Bible does it say to remain silent when it comes to giving people the truth, especially when it comes to their eternal soul? 

Let's look at it another way:  Are parents being judgemental when they tell their child that he shouldn't run into traffic or it will kill him? Maybe he wants the freedom, but he doesn't realize the consequences.  Should we remain silent so we don't encroach on our child's rights and offend him because he didn't get his own way?  You can see how ridiculous and dangerous this line of thinking takes. 

It is obvious that today, some Christians are compromising their stand and allowing evil to prevail by remaining silent, or worse yet, agreeing with those who openly and willingly practice evil.  Yet, we can feel that the clock is ticking, and prophetic events as foretold in the Bible are yet to unfold. We need to pay more attention to the Word of God than the media and popular opinion!   

Act 17:31  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Rev 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Rev 14:7  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Rev 14:8  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Rev 14:9  And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

Rev 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Rev 14:11  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Rev 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Rev 14:13  And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Are we judging when we speak the truth, or are we fearing God and doing the most loving thing?  Let's remember to prayerfully make it a priority to live and speak the truth of God’s Word at every opportunity.