Written by Felicia Trecek
(December 2002)

Many who profess either Jahushua Messiah or Jesus Christ are offended at the very thought of being judged by another person within their faith. Their emotional defenses raise against the admonishment because they postulate the judgemental individual is acting self-righteous and elevating their-self on some higher - self-imposed - spiritual plane. "You are not my judge" is the normal retort. Perhaps if professing believers were better scripturally educated, there would be fewer offenses.

During the first covenant period, YHWH established the priesthood and the prophets. They judged over the nation of Israel, and they were also the intercessors between the people and the lawgiver YHWH. After MessiahÕs death and resurrection, the first covenant grew old, and the second covenant became established (Hebrews 8:13 thru 10:22). We no longer have physical priests and prophets as intermediaries, but one spiritual intermediary priest, Yahushua Messiah, who sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Yahushua Messiah is the highest and a perfect judge to whom every knee will bow (Acts 7:42, 10:42, 17:31, Romans 2:16, 7:31, 14:11-12). He is the only one that is able judge what is hidden in our hearts (1 Corinthians 4:3-6). He will judge both the living and the dead.

What if there is a fellow professing believer within your group who you know is whoring; what should you do? In PaulÕs day, this very situation occurred. In I Corinthians 5:1-13, Paul judged a man who whored, and he commanded the man be put-out of the body of believers. According to verses 10-11, we are not to keep company or eat a meal with ones who whore, greedy of gain, swindlers, idolaters, revilers, and drunkards. If we are not to judge one another, than verses 10-11 would be erroneous. By biblical law, we are expected to evaluate our fellow brethern against scripture to discover whether or not they are true to the Word of YHWH (Examples: Deut 13:1-15, 17:1-10, 19:15-21). Paul did not create any new commandments. During the time of the physical nation of Israel, they were expected to punish, or put to death individuals who broke the law of YHWH. Today we, as spiritual Israelites within the spiritual nation, are to cast out individuals within our congregations who purposefully transgress the law of YHWH. If we do not, a little leaven (sin) will eventually leaven the entire lump (I Cor 5:6).

YHWH reserves the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished (II Peter 2:9). In I Corinthians 5:5, Paul told us to deliver a whore to Satan for destruction of the flesh in order that his spirit might be saved in the day of the Master Yahushua. This deliverence to Satan also applies to individuals who are greedy of gain, swindlers, idolaters, revilers, and drunkards.

Paul wrote it was shameful not to be in judgement of one another (I Corinthians 6:5). I Corinthians 6:2-4 reads, (v:2) ÒDo you not know that the set-apart ones shall judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (v:3) Do you not know that we shall judge messengers (angels)? How much more, matters of this life? (v:4) If then you truly have judgements of this life...Ó We should be equipped to judge our fellow believers (1 Cor 5:12-13), but our judgements should not extend beyond what is written within scripture (1 Cor 4:6). John 7:24 reads, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement." Paul told us to admonish one another in knowledge (Romans 15:14). Admonish means to reprove gently; warn, especially of anticipated fault; caution, to exhort, to remind. YHWH's primary expectation is to help one another; to love one another. Love is the magnificent pinnacle of the entire law. Because of the law of love, we should be receptive to one another's admonishments. Ready receptiveness requires humbleness and maturity. We need to consider and weigh othersÕ admonishments with the understanding we may not see some of our own faults or foibles. If you feel the individual is incorrect in his/her's assessment of you, then seek a second or third opinion from other fellow brethren. We need to welcome the aid and learn how to utilize YHWH's Spirit within our fellow brothers and sisters who are also in the faith for our spiritual journey in becoming Messiah-like. Each of us do not have the full measure of the Spirit as did Messiah, but we have the means to join the amount of Spirit we have with others who also possess the Spirit so we can create a POWERFUL means to overcome and spiritually advance in knowledge and in love.

Are we to judge every understanding or belief our fellow brethren may have? Romans 14:1-23 provides us with an example when not to judge. Paul wrote to receive those who are weak in belief. The individual or individuals who were weak in the faith in Romans 14 held the belief of vegetarianism. To be a vegetarian is not a sin; therefore, we do not have the right to judge whether or not someone eats meat or not. We are not to think or judge beyond what is written in scripture (1 Cor 4:6). If we speak against a new believer in their understanding which is not against scripture, who is being zealous for YHWH, we then elevate ourselves as law makers. YHWH is the only true lawmaker. (James 4:11-17) We ought not to grumble against one another, for the Righteous Judge is standing at the door (James 5:9).

Matthew 7:1 reads, "Do not judge, lest you be judged." At times, this verse is taken out of context. Verse two and three read, (v:2) "For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged. And with the same measure you use, it shall be measured to you. (v:3) And why do you look at the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not notice the plank in your own eye?" We need to be careful and mindful when we judge. And, we should not be preoccupied examining others faults and ignore our own. We may have the same problem, but even greater than our brother. Verse 5 reads, "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you shall see clearly to remove the splinter out of your brother's eye."

We are judged by our works (I Peter 1:17). Our works either testify for us or against us. The Jews judged themselves unworthy of the Kingdom by casting away the Word which was given to them first (Acts 13:46). The Jews works testified against them.

We should learn how to judge ourselves. For an example, Paul judged himself (I Cor 4:3). The Greek word used in I Cor 4:3 for "judge" is "an-ak-reeÕno" meaning (according to StrongÕs Exhaustive Concordance #350): prop to scrutinize, ie. (by impl) investigate, interrogate, determine; - ask, question, discern, examine, judge, search. However, the Greek word used for "judge" in I Corinthians 5:1-13 is different when judging our fellow brethren against what is written in scripture. The Greek word is "kree'no" and Strong's #2919 meaning: prop. to distinguish. ie. decide (mentally or judicially): by implication to try, condemn, punish: - avenge, conclude, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, sentence, to call into question. This same Greek word, "kree'no" (Strong's #2919), is also used in context with Messiah judging the world (ie. Romans 7:31) and in I Corinthians 6:2-3 that reads (we) the saints will judge the angels and the world.

Why do we possess a right and power to judge one another? The set-apart believers have taken the place of the first covenant priesthood. We are now the priesthood. (I Peter 2:9, Rev 1:6) We were given this position by YHWH, and we should learn how to judge wisely now so that we are equipped to judge wisely in the Kingdom to come. There is a big work yet ahead for all of us.