Text: 1 Corinthians 13:6-7
How are brethren to handle differences in matters of personal judgment?
Is it Truly a Matter of Judgment?
- First must determine if the issue under consideration is truly a matter of judgment or if it is a matter of sin instead
- This determination is made only by an unbiased examination of the word
- Matters of judgment may be questioned if they could be sinful under certain conditions or if they could lead to sin
If it is a Matter of Sin, Not Judgment
- Private sins one commits against you (Matthew 18:15-17)
- Private sins without sufficient witnesses / evidence (John 8:1-11)
- Public sin — withdrawal (1 Corinthians 5:1-13), rebuke (Galatians 2:11-14)
- More information here: Dealing with Sin
If it is Sin Under Certain Conditions
- External conditions — based upon circumstances (ex: Exodus 20:26); must understand circumstances before we can pass judgment
- Internal conditions — based upon one’s thoughts or motives (ex: Matthew 5:28); do not judge the hearts of others (Romans 14:4-5), assume the best first (1 Corinthians 13:7), do not condemn without understanding
If it Leads to Sin
- We cannot bind extra rules upon others (Matthew 15:1-2,7-9; Colossians 2:20-23)
- Warning of dangers is fine (Proverbs 23:31)
- Gossiping about those involved is not
