🕊️Discernment Is Not Judgment: What the Bible Actually Teaches
One of the most common accusations Christians face is this: “Don’t judge me.”
And on the surface, that sounds biblical—after all, Jesus did warn against judging. But Scripture draws a clear, important line between judgment & discernment, and confusing the two silences truth, weakens discipleship, and misrepresents God’s character.
Let’s untangle what the Bible actually says.
⸻
What Judgment Is (and Why It’s Not Ours)
In Scripture, judgment belongs to God alone.
To judge is not merely to observe behavior or name sin.
Judgment is to assume God’s eternal authority—to issue a final verdict and sentence over a soul.
That includes:
• Declaring with certainty who is saved or condemned
• Assigning eternal destinations (heaven or hell)
• Speaking as though repentance, mercy, or redemption are no longer possible
When a person says, “You’re going to hell,” they are not sharing truth—they are claiming authority that belongs only to God.
The Bible is unambiguous here: God alone sees the heart, weighs the soul, and renders final judgment.
⸻
What Discernment Is (and Why It’s Required)
Discernment, on the other hand, is not optional for believers—it is commanded.
Discernment means:
• Recognizing truth versus deception
• Naming sin without assigning eternal fate
• Measuring actions, teachings, & beliefs against God’s Word
• Warning others when something leads away from God’s design
Discernment is not about condemnation.
It’s about clarity.
Telling someone, “That behavior harms you and goes against God’s design,” is not judging.
It is loving enough to tell the truth.
⸻
Examples That Matter (Because This Is Where Confusion Lives)
Let’s look at some real-world distinctions.
❌ Judgment:
“You’re going to hell.”
✔ Discernment:
“Rejecting salvation means rejecting eternal life God offers.”
One assumes the verdict.
The other explains the consequence God already revealed.
✝️ CONTINUED IN COMMENTS ⬇️⬇️⬇️
