JUDGING

Judging is to form opinions or make decisions either formally as a judge in a court or informally and can involve evaluating or criticizing someone or something.

Matthew 7:1 is a Bible verse that is used to support the idea that Christians should never judge at all.  Another verse , John 7:24  ,  seems to contradict Matthew 7:1 

 Since we know that GODS scriptures cannot be broken or found to be contradictory then there must be an explanation that is congruous. 

The word “judge” in Matthew 7:1 is Strongs G8199  and involves discernment, judgment and “condemnation”. It is human reasoning that cannot know the true thoughts and intents of the heart and does not stop at only determining guilt or innocence but also determines the fate of a person. 

In John 7:24  Jesus uses the words “righteous judgment” and this is a combination of the Greek 1342 and 2920 that means just judgment in the eyes of GOD.  It is divine justice and judgment, with only GOD who determines the fate of a person.

The difference then is that if we judge with condemnation, to determine a persons fate, this is wrong but if we use the same manner of judgment that GOD uses then this is acceptable.  

If I see a man murder another man I can correctly say he is a murderer but I have no right to determine his fate because GOD could in the future call and choose him to be a Christian, something that I do not know.  In that event GOD would bring the murderer to repentance and forgive him then after baptism receive HIS Holy Spirit .  

Under the law a person was condemned to death without mercy,  Hebrews 10:28 , GOD gave enforcement of the law to the priests and used the book of the law of Moses to judge. Yes is was GOD who gave the law but men enforced it.  Proof of this is in its improper use by men.  

The new covenant replaces the Ten Commandments with the Commandments of Jesus, love GOD and neighbor, as GODS love is the fulfillment of the law.  The new covenant provides faith, repentance and forgiveness.  In The new covenant mercy triumphs over judgment and where sin abounds grace abounds much more.  Sin is no longer breaking the Ten Commandments but breaking the two greatest commandments, sin is whatever is not of GODS love.  

Therefore knowing the different ways of judgment Christians should always judge in accordance with righteous judgement even over people who are not Christians.  This is how we love one another and our neighbor, it is loving as GOD and Christ love.