In Matthew 7:1, Jesus tells us not to judge, lest we be judged. With this Scripture in mind, we are often afraid to speak out when we observe sin. The misnomer is that we are judging when we call on someone to behave differently.
The confusion stems from the three Greek words to express one English word. The Greek word "judge" in this verse is Krino. It means to pass judgment on, to condemn. You rarely see this behavior encouraged in Scripture but rather, we are called to do this Greek word, Anakrino to ask questions, to examine, to evaluate, to investigate, to search out or this Diakrino-to make distinction between (persons), to weigh thoroughly.
Judgment involves opinions that are not checked out for accuracy resulting in krino, condemning, judging. Discernment (anakrino) involves a desire to restore.
We are to examine, to evaluate, to question and check facts for accuracy. Then, we are to follow the steps in Matthew 18.
"And if your brother sins, go and reprove him in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
"But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.
"And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer. Matt. 18
The purpose of this principle is restoration not condemnation.
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