Despite the fact that judging should be done with great caution and prudence, this does not mean that God forbids all judging of all kinds. Today, we will look at judging that God deems as acceptable by man.

Keeping the former things in mind, there are three times when judging is acceptable. First is when a church must "judge" a church member by refraining eating with them personally or as a group or allowing them to participate in church activities. Even then, there are stipulations though. First, this judgement is only allowed for certain sins such as pre-marital sex or worshiping idols.

1 Corinthians 5:11 - But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

Second it is done with the appropriate spirit. It is not done because other Christians are better than this person, but because this Christians influence could cause other Christians to think it is acceptable to sin in these ways, it hurts the cause of the church, and it can make the Christian think they are ok with God. All judging should be done with meekness and love, with the purpose of purifying not humiliating.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7 - Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Galatians 6:1-2- Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Another judging allowed within the church is monetary matters. Christians should not sue each other or use the law to get back owed money or handle debt problems. Rather, the fellow Christians in the church should judge how best to handle the situation. It is clearly talking about only small monetary and personal matters though. Federal crimes ought to be reported to the police, as in accordance with the law. That is entirely different then a small personal slight against another, and God says Christians should obey the government. That is another subject entirely though.

1 Corinthians 6:1-4 - Dare are any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?  If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

Any other judging of Christians, such as personal judging among friends must be done extremely carefully. Any reasons for judging must be done with a pure heart and with the intention of creating fellowship and love among each other, not to tear each other down or put ourselves over others. Christians also must remember that we don't know what's going on in their heart. Only God truly knows if their intentions were good or bad. If Christians do judge, it should be because of a personal offense. We should go directly to them and confront them about how their actions have hurt us personally. If they refuse to listen, then we get others involved. If they refuse to listen or repent, then we must forgive them but limit our contact as we would with the unsaved. We do not want someone's negative treatment and attitude to hurt our love for God and others.

Matthew 18:15-17 - Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

John 7:24 - Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Finally, God says Christians are not to judge unbelievers as a church or on a personal level. God already has wrath and judgement against them, they do not need Christian's personal judgement as well, especially since they do not have the Holy Spirit inside them to help them do right. They need the love and the truth of the Gospel, not the scorn and judgement of Christians. Also, Christians are already busy as it is trying to make sure our church is were it should be, let alone need they be trying to monitor everyone else.

1 Corinthians 612-13 - For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Titus 3:2-3 - To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.