If I were to guess the one Scripture used to justify personal vice, the one I hear most often, is the well-known passage from the Sermon on the Mount:
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.”
– Matthew 7:1 NASB
Of course, the second verse adds to the context (“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you” [v. 2]) along with verses 3–5 which speak to the need for self-examination also, but that is not the concern of the self-justifier. They simply wish to not be confronted in their sin.
However, that misuse of Scripture does not negate the need to be careful and cautious in the judgment of others, particularly those in the household of faith and even more specifically those who are teachers of the Scripture.
In fact, Paul makes “holding court;” better yet, the lack thereof, a tenent of preparing for that day:
“Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.”
– 1 Corinthians 4:5 NASB
The first three verses of 1 Corinthians 4, coupled with the factions Paul addressed in chapter 3, give us context to his statement in verse 5. To wit,
“It is our duty to listen to the teaching of God’s ministers, test it humbly yet candidly and sincerely, by the aid of God’s word, to ‘hold fast that which is good’ and act upon it (1Th 5:21), but to avoid all scrutiny and imputation of motives, since to search the heart is the prerogative of God alone.”[1]
Our challenge is that human nature likes to judge, some would even say that it is inherent. Yet, as believers we are called to take on Christ’s nature (2 Peter 1:4); we are to crucify the flesh and its nature. Thus, our task is to:
“Learn not to judge, for we do not know the secrets of the heart. We judge men by gifts, or by a correspondence with our own peculiarities, but God judges by fidelity.”[2]
Judgment may be inherent; however, I can overcome judgmental behavior in my Christian walk in preparing for that day through the mercy God has granted me.
“For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.”
– James 2:13 NASB)
And because of that mercy…
and His grace…
and my sincere desire to love Him and keep His commandments…
I know that the Lord, “the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8, emphasis mine).
