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     [For more discussion about what God calls sin and why, see these articles: What is Sin? - part 1;  What is Sin? - part 2.]

  Hebrews 5:7-14 (New American Standard Bible)
       7  In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.
       8  Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
       9  And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,
     10  being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
     11  Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
     12  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
     13  For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
     14  But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

  Hebrews 5:7-14 (New King James Version)
       7  who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,
       8  though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.
       9  And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
     10  called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”
     11  of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
     12  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
     13  For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
     14  But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

  I.   Why should we practice discerning “both good and evil”?
     • “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21 - NKJV)
     • “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 – NASB)
     • “Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.” (Titus 3:14 – NASB)
     • “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians. 9:8 – NKJV)
     • “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy --- meditate* on these things.” (Philippians 4:8 – NKJV)(* “dwell on these things.” NASB)
     • “Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2 – NKJV)
     • “Tell everyone God’s message.  Be ready at all times to do whatever is needed.  Tell people what they need to do, tell them when they are doing wrong, and encourage them.  Do this with great patience and careful teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2 – ERV)

  II.   What lifestyles can we discern as evil or unrighteous on the basis God promises to condemn anyone who refuses to quit practicing them?
     • 1 Corinthians 6:5-11 — “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor <Translation footnote:  I.e. effeminate by perversion> effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.  Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” (NASB)
     • Galatians 5:19-21 — “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:  adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (NKJV)
     • Ephesians 5:3-7 — “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.  For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not be partakers with them.” (NKJV)
     • 1 Thessalonians 1:5-11 — “This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.  For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed — for our testimony to you was believed.” (NASB)
     • Revelation 21:5-8 — “Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”  And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”  And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.  He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.  But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”” (NKJV)

   III.  What example does Jesus set for us to follow whenever people accuse us of “judging” them?
     The lifestyle of faithful Christians… our words, our actions, our practices… provide living example and instruction to everyone around us.  And more people react to our influence than we see or realize.
     Some react feeling informed about righteousness… that from our influence they’re learning to do good.
     Some react feeling exhorted and encouraged… that from our influence they recognize themselves doing & seeking what’s right with God… this motivates them to keep growing in this regard.
     However, many react feeling rebuked… our influence reminds them they ignore some or all of God’s authority… our active faith reveals God’s objection to their wrongful desires.  And they object back by condemning us of “judging” them.  “You can’t judge me saying I do anything wrong because Jesus said ‘don’t judge.’” “You can’t judge me for making mistakes because you make mistakes, too.”  “You can’t judge me because you’re supposed to love me and not focus on my shortcomings.”  “You hypocrite, you’re supposed to forgive me, not judge me.”  They fear that their deeds are being exposed, according to Jesus in John 3:20-21 — “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (NASB)

     There are a few different Greek verbs that translate into English as the verb “judge”.  Understanding their distinctions helps us better understand God’s actual expectations of us.

     (1)  One verb “krino” has the sense of separating out to condemn… like choosing from the vegetable harvest all the rejects and throwing them away.  Jesus uses this word in Matthew 7:1-2, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.  For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” (NASB)  Jesus is cautioning that it is not our place to condemn others, as though we can choose and sentence who is going to hell, because there will be consequences if we do.  “Do not (condemn) so that you will not be (condemned).  For in the way you (condemn), you will be (condemned); and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”  Is this instruction about condemning, in and of itself, a condemnation of us… a sentencing us to hell by Jesus?  No, He is warning us ahead of time so we can change course to avoid that condemnation.
     This same verb “krino” is translated as “judge” in John 3:17-18.  “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge (condemn) the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  He who believes in Him is not judged (condemned); he who does not believe has been judged (condemned) already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (NASB)  By saying this, is Jesus condemning people?  No, Jesus is warning about condemnation and about God’s offer to avoid it (Rom. 3:22-23, 6:23).  It is not a matter of everyone goes to heaven, except for a few diligently seeking to go to hell.  The reality is everyone goes to hell, except for a few diligently seeking to go to heaven (Matt. 7:13-14).
     Jesus uses “krino” in John 12:46-50.  “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.  If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge (condemn) him; for I did not come to judge (condemn) the world, but to save the world.  He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges (condemns) him; the word I spoke is what will judge (condemn) him at the last day.  For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak.  I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.” (NASB)  Again, Jesus is just explaining why He warns people using God’s word… helping them learn how to escape God’s condemnation and to accept His offer of eternal life.
     The Hebrews writer uses “krino” in Hebrews 13:4.  “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge (condemn).” (NASB)  Like Jesus, we can use God’s word to encourage people to choose wisely.  Like with Jesus, warning people about condemnation is not the same as condemning them.
     Paul uses “krino” as a rhetorical imperative in 1 Corinthians 10:15 after he’s explained several Old Testament examples to avoid doing evil.  “I speak as to wise men; judge (condemn) for yourselves what I say.” (NASB)  He challenges his readers to use his evidence to either prove him wrong or else prove him right, and then act accordingly.  And he says this full knowing they cannot honestly prove him wrong.

     (2)  Another Greek verb, “anakrino”, is sometimes translated “judge” or “appraise” or “discern” depending up the translation version.  It has the sense of examining, investigating, questioning… we might describe it as sifting through the evidence.  Paul uses this word “anakrino” in 1 Cor. 2:14-15. “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (examined).  But he who is spiritual judges (examines) all things, yet* he himself is rightly judged (examined) by no one.” (NKJV) [EGW editor's note: “yet” in the sense of “although”, “even though”, “but”, or “even if”… the idea is that genuinely spiritual persons are always trying to examine and do things correctly in agreement with God (1) even when another person dishonestly judges them of wrong-doing, and (2) even when no other person wants them to do things rightly.]

     (3)  The third Greek verb, “diakrino”, translated “judge” or “decide” or “discern” has the sense of distinguishing the facts of a matter, of recognizing and acknowledging the impact of those facts… we might describe it as reaching a conclusion or an understanding.  For example, “we judged the rope broke under the sudden strain because it was old and rotten.”  Jesus uses this word in Matt. 16:3, “… Do you know how to discern (distinguish the facts about) the appearance of the sky,… ?”  Paul uses “diakrino” in 1 Cor. 6:5. “I say this to your shame.  Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge (distinguish the facts) between his brethren?” (NKJV)
     The Hebrews writer uses a derivative of this word in Heb. 5:13-14.  “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.  But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern (distinguish the facts about) good and evil.” (NASB)
     John uses another derivative of “diakrino” in 1 John 4:1, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test (distinguish the facts about) the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (NASB)
     God expects all people, but especially His people, should judge-examine and judge-distinguish.  We are instructed to not judge-condemn as though we can choose who will or won’t receive eternal punishment.  God will do that by comparing to the standard of Jesus’ words.  Warning people about how & why God would condemn them does not make us the one condemning them.

     • Since God uses His written word to teach and call people to do right, we also should use that same word to teach and call people to do right.
     • Since God uses His written word to warn people about what they are doing wrong and to encourage them to repent, we also should use it to warn and encourage people.
     • Since God holds people accountable to repent, we also should hold them accountable to repent.
     • When people tell us they’ve repented from a sin (Luke 17:1-4; 1 John 1:5-10) and they demonstrate their repentance by ceasing the sin (Matt. 3:8-10; Luke 3:8-9; Luke 13:5-9; Acts 26:20)… then we treat them as forgiven of that same sin, consider them as righteous, and encourage them as our spiritual family by helping them deal with the consequences leftover from their sin (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25-26).  Just as God Himself would do for them.

     To those who will let us, we encourage them to learn to please God.  We teach from the Scriptures about the problem of sin and about God’s offer of a solution.  We teach people to respect marriage, to be responsible, and to be ambitious towards God.  We teach people that God’s salvation is found only in Christ and we teach them how to enter Christ.  The more we convince, rebuke, and exhort people from God’s written word, the more those people grow aware of God’s expectations.  Eventually they each make a choice… either (1)  recognize their own part in the world’s sin problem and seek to change, or else (2)  continue in condemnation following after their selfish desires.
     Regardless of whatever sins they bring to our attention, we patiently speak the truth in love.  We encourage and teach them from the Bible how to repent.  If lying, then quit and tell the truth.  If drunkenness, then quit and live soberly.  If theft, then quit and fulfill needs honestly.  If fornication, then quit and honor God’s law of marriage.  If adultery, then quit and restore integrity to the mutual covenant of godly marriage.
     We gently do as the apostle Paul instructs in Galatians 6:1-3, “Brothers and sisters, someone in your group might do something wrong.  You who are following the Spirit should go to the one who is sinning.  Help make that person right again, and do it in a gentle way.  But be careful, because you might be tempted to sin too.  Help each other with your troubles.  When you do this, you are obeying the law of Christ.” (ERV)
     And then, we example faithfully as Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (NASB)
     That’s not being judgmental or unforgiving.  That’s being lovable to the unlovable.


     • James 5:19-20 — “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (NKJV)

     [printable PDF of lesson][audio MP3 of lesson]
     [For more discussion about what God calls sin and why, see these articles: What is Sin? - part 1;  What is Sin? - part 2.]