When the Bible speaks about judging, are there different types of judgement? For instance, in James 4:11 we’re told not to judge one another, but Jesus said in John 7:24 to not judge by appearances but with a righteous judgement, and also mentioned it in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:1. How are we to conduct ourselves properly as Christians?
There are many Scriptures that describe when we should not judge others. There are also many Scriptures that describe when we should judge others. This is a large subject and every Scripture about judging will not be addressed in my response. Let us first read some verses about not judging others.
James 4:11-12 says, “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”
Romans 14:1-5 describes how we should not judge others about things that are not clearly right or wrong. These verses say, “Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind” (NASB).
Let us now read some verses that instruct us to judge others. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 teach us that the local church should judge its sinning members and exclude them from church fellowship. These verses state, “But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves” (NASB). Christians are instructed to judge the teaching of fellow believers to see if it is Scriptural or not. 1 Corinthians 14:29 states “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.” In 2 Corinthians 6:14 we read “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” The only way that we can obey this instruction is if we make a judgment about if someone is a believer or not.
Let us now read a verse that tells us to judge and not judge in the same verse. John 7:24 states, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” Matthew 7:1-5 begins by saying, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” in verse 1. However, in verse 5 judgment of a brother’s fault is permitted after the person has taken care of his own fault. That verse says, “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
Let us return to your excellent question, “When the Bible speaks about judging, are there different types of judgement?” The same Greek word “krino” is used in verses where we are told to judge and when we are told not to judge. It is used in each of the verses that you mentioned: Matthew 7:1, John 7:24, and James 4:11. “Krino” means to condemn, punish, determine, and judge. Therefore, looking up the Greek words did not seem to help answer your question. However, I do notice some general themes in the verses above. These themes should help answer your second question, “How are we to conduct ourselves properly as Christians?” We should not be overly critical of each other. However, we should judge graciously and righteously in matters where we are involved. Each of us needs to ask for wisdom for when and how to judge appropriately. We need to search the Scriptures to learn more about when to judge and when not to judge. The Lord is able to give us the needed wisdom for each situation. (172.5) (DJ)