The Light of Righteous Judgment

I recently finished a study on judgment. I can tell you that judgment today is very misunderstood because of all the unrighteous and hypocritical judgment that abounds. Due to the misapplication of judgment, it has gained a negative connotation. As a wise man once said, “Where purpose is unknown, abuse is inevitable.”

Righteous judgment is a gift of GOD’s grace, and it is vital to the sustainability of civilization. On the other hand, unrighteous judgment can topple civilizations like a great structure built uneven and unbalanced due to unequal measures being applied. Things built unjustly with unequal measures are inherently weak and collapse under pressure. Countries built on unrighteous judgment are always experiencing social and economical fluctuations and if the unrighteous judgment is not corrected it will eventually collapse. There are no exceptions. Human relationships built on unrighteous judgments are a microcosm of this dynamic.

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it;
unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. (Psalm 127:1 NKJV)

The Lord always builds with righteous judgment, and only structures built in compliance with His judgments will stand. If a structure is built with unjust measures, it doesn’t matter how expensive it was to build or how strong the forces are that guard it, it will fall because it is inherently weak.

Unfortunately, many confessing Christians have bought into this misinformed view of judgment and also advocate against judgment. It appeals to some because they are more concerned about pleasing people than pleasing GOD, and others because many of they still love unrighteousness and judgment exposes them. There are more which believe judgment is bad from a lack of knowledge. True people of GOD embrace His judgments because they understand it generates righteousness unto life. Righteous judgment brings the light of GOD to bear on things, so that distinctions can be made between what is evil and what is good. His judgment has been given to make life sustainable on earth.

⁸ Yes, in the way of Your judgments,
O Lord, we have waited for You;
The desire of our soul is for Your name
And for the remembrance of You.
⁹ With my soul I have desired You in the night,
Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early;
For when Your judgments are in the earth,
The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

(Isaiah 26:8-9 NKJV)

Without the judgment of GOD there is no righteousness, and where there is no righteousness, evil prevails. Because so much wealth is made from evil commerce, righteous judgment has become a threat to the way many people make a living. This is true for global financiers to people selling drugs in their neighborhood, also for compromised elected officials to religious leaders. The love of money is the root of all evil.

But doesn’t the bible quote Christ saying do not Judge? Let’s look at the context.

“¹ Judgenot, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2 NKJV)

Christ is recorded several times saying don’t judge others unless you also desire to be judged. He is giving a condition for judging not a command not to judge at all. At that time, many religious leaders went about judging and condemning people to standards that they themselves didn’t measure up to. So, to discourage this hypocrisy, Christ made it known that those who judge others would be held to the same measure used. His goal was to eliminate unrighteous judgment not all judgment. GOD loves righteous judgment and encourages us to employ it. This command of Christ is seldom quoted.

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24 (NKJV)

Context, or the interrelated conditions in which a thing occurs, is so essential to assessing the right judgment. If we aren’t concerned enough to examine the true context it is better that we don’t pass judgment. When you are tested by GOD, on the surface it can feel like chastisement. The Lord often uses pressurized situations to reveal what is in our hearts. I have been experiencing a testing, and my first response was to think, what have I done wrong or missed. After doing some concentrated listening to get understanding, it was revealed to me that the Father has a process of teaching us, then testing us, in order to transform us. The pressurized test is used to affirm or to reshape our thinking, perspective, and behavior. I think we would all just like to have a written test and forego the pressure but that apparently doesn’t accomplish His goal. Many people judge GOD superficially without digging under the surface to see the context of His faithfulness and eternal love for us. GOD knows what is best for me, so I am thankful for whatever method He uses to teach and guide me. I know it is for my good and will hopefully be a blessing those around me.

In order to impair judgment, evil people will attempt to eliminate or misconstrue the true context. We see that a lot today in attempts to ban the true context of history and the worldwide assault on journalist. Once the true context is removed, the story can be cast into whatever narrative that accommodates their scheme. Righteous judgment is essential to carrying out justice. This is why those elected to administer justice are called judges. Oh, that judges would use righteous judgment.

Don’t be deceived. The Creator loves righteous judgment. Here are some other scriptures that evidence what I have written.

“To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” (Prov 21:3 KJV)

“Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.” (Proverbs 28:5 KJV)

⁴ For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. ⁵ He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. (Psalm 33:4-5 KJV)

²⁷ Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. ²⁸ For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. (Psalm 37:27-28 KJV)