“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?” James 4:11-12.

The Lord is the Judge of good and evil, not us.  There is a difference in judging good and evil and knowing the difference between good and evil according to the Word of God.  Just because a Christian points to evil and calls it evil does not mean they are judging evil, God has already done so.  Knowing the difference between what the Word of God says is good and evil and judging good and evil are two entirely different things.

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” John 7:24.

Righteous judgment is knowing the difference between what God has judged as good and evil; not what we, our religion, our denomination or our traditions declare as good and evil.  “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8. Whatsoever things are true requires righteous judgment according to the Word of God to determine if they are “true”.  Whatsoever things are just requires righteous judgment to determine if they are “just”.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

Fornication is evil according to the Word of God.  “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Galatians 4:16.  No one seems to mind when someone says “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19, which is by all means just as true.  It is easy to tell someone they are blessed but not so easy to tell them they are cursed. This is not to judge them but to hopefully point them to repentance.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. 

We must understand that recognizing those who are covetous, boasters, proud and blasphemers or recognizing those who have a form of godliness but denies the power thereof, is not judging the law or judging the brethren as in James 4:11-12 but is in fact righteous judgment according to John 7:24.  Lack of righteous judgment has birthed hyper grace, word of faith and many other false doctrines that have come down the pipe.  If we are going to know them by their fruit, we must know how to judge their fruit righteously…otherwise we will be taking a bite of that bad fruit as well. – Donna Clark Warren