Q&A Home > J > Judging

I love Bible prophecy and I came across a lot of YouTube videos. I sometimes come into debates with atheists and Muslims especially about this. Is it a sin to judge someone according to what the Bible says? For example, saying, "You are going to hell (the Bible says it)—repent. The Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior. You know nothing but death, sorrow, and anguish."

For the people whom you wish to bring to Christ, first share with them Christ's love, humility, compassion, grace, forgiveness, and many of His other beautiful attributes. For non-believers, begin gently with the Gospel according to St. Matthew, Chapter 5, The Beatitudes, which is also the gospel reading in the 6th Hour Prayer in the Agpeya.

It is important to speak the truth without judgment of another person.  We are all sinners so we should not judge a person but judge only the action. Yet as Christians we are called to exercise discernment. "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment" (John 7:24). Our Lord Jesus Christ forewarned us about false prophets and wolves in sheep's clothing. Thus, there is an element necessary of making judgment in order to exercise caution and wisdom, but not for condemnation. The manner and motive for expressing a truth must first be personally addressed. One must exercise control in speaking a truth to another, in as much as the other can tolerate. When one is compelled to reveal a certain truth, the objective should encompass the edification of the other or the prevention of harm onto another. Thus, prayer for wisdom can help one to deliver the truth on the wings of grace, and thereby the truth is of benefit for everyone involved.