**The Dilemma**

In Scripture, there are many commands for our life. The commands essentially break down to our duties to God and our obligations to man (which are also duties to God). When it comes to how we interact with one another, the Bible has much to say, one being judging.

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In one place in Scripture we are told not to judge, then in the same portion of a text, we are told to judge. So what is it, judge or don't? I think Rushdoony shows that is not whether to do it or not, but when it is appropriate and what criteria to go by when judging.

**Clear Thinking**

"The whole Bible summons us to judge righteous judgment. Over and over again, the Old Testament summons men to judge, and to judge righteously (Deut. 1:16; 16:18, etc.). Jesus Christ Himself declared, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Obviously then, all the Bible calls for righteous judgment, so that it must be false and unrighteous judgment which is condemned. We are not permitted to judge by appearance, or by our own feelings, likes and
dislikes, but only in terms of God’s law. We cannot judge a man because he has a wart on his nose, or because we dislike the way he parts his hair. We must judge a man if he is guilty of violating the law of God. “The way you judge you will be judged,” Jesus said. If your judgments excuse evil or condone it, you will be judged to be evil yourself. If your judgments reflect the justice and judgment of God where required, and mercy where men are truly repentant, then you will be judged as faithful to God. “Judge righteous judgment.”"- RJ Rushdoony, Word in Season Vol. 2, pg 33-34