Anonymous Asks (281)

“What’s the difference between legitimate criticism and the kind of judgment Jesus condemned?”

“Judge not, that you be not judged,” said the Lord Jesus, providing critics of the Christian faith with their all-time favorite verse, which they translate into something like “Never form an opinion about how we live or what we are doing, and definitely never express one.”

Well, we know the Lord didn’t mean that. He also said, “Judge with right judgment,” so the first verse is manifestly not intended to be taken as a blanket statement.

Following Christ demands we learn to draw conclusions, form opinions, come to convictions, distinguish truth from error and even faithfully call out errant behavior and false teaching when we encounter it, but we need to learn to do these things the way the Lord Jesus did, not from fleshly, self-serving, natural motives.

So how do we distinguish between legitimate criticism and presuming to take the place of God?

First, legitimate criticism is not hypocritical. The one who speaks for God is conscious of his own failings and careful not to demand of others what he does not demand of himself. He is ready and willing to be judged by the standard he is setting for others because the standard is God’s, not his own.

Second, legitimate criticism looks to solve problems, not create more of them. It is offered in a forgiving spirit, hoping for better things rather than writing people off.

Third, legitimate criticism waits to hear the whole story before it forms an opinion, and does not speak until it is fully convinced. It does not engage in kneejerk reactions or speculation, and it never goes off half-cocked. Judgment offered too eagerly or too early is almost always wrong.

Fourth, legitimate criticism is consistent. It does not hold its foes to one standard of behavior and its friends to another.

Fifth, legitimate criticism has boundaries. It does not stray into territory where it has no biblical jurisdiction.

Sixth, legitimate criticism is logical and evidence-based. It can’t be dismissed in a sentence or two by pointing out the obvious.

Legitimate criticism aims to destroy arguments and refute errors, not demolish people. When it tears down, it does so only in order to get to bedrock, so that it can build up again.