But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in [his] brother's way. Romans 14:7-13
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. I Corinthians 3:1-7
But I try very hard not to judge the person himself.
God's justice is perfectly balanced. We each individually build the scales by which we will each individually be weighed.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: - Luke 6:37
Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matt 5:7
Yes, this I believe also, dearest sister in Christ. So beautifully put!
In which case a certain humility and self-restraint is called for. Or at least so it seems to me.
Thank you so very much for your splendid essay/post and especially for the truly apt selections from holy scripture.
When taken to excess, even things that are unarguably good become a problem. Sometimes, things turn into their very own opposites when taken just a little bit too far. An excess of courtesy is discourtesy. Excess of sorrow laughs, excess of joy weeps.
It is the same with excess of caution and piety. When Christians use the "don't judge" scriptures in excess caution or excess piety they are being incautious and impious.
Christians need only consider their responsibilities in rearing their own children in order to understand the balance in judging and correcting error. No Christian parent would willingly ignore sinfulness and misbehavior, nor even ignorance and bad manners in their children. It is worldly foolishness that advises (or even demands) that parents not actively discipline their children for sinfulness and misbehavior. The responsibilities of spiritually mature Christians (elders) within the body of Christ and the pressures of the world in opposition are much the same as with parents.
Having said that, I suggest looking at the following verses while considering the correct balance in discerning and correcting error.
"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them". (Acts 20:28-30).
I offer these thoughts with respect and good will as between brothers and sisters in Christ.