Thou shalt not judge, part II

One of the greatest mysteries of our society is just how biblically illiterate we have become. In fact, many of our citizens use phrases, like the one above, but are totally ignorant of their biblical origin.

Perhaps this is why Solomon says in Proverbs 28:5 that “Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” It is a measure as to how far our nation has sunk, and continues to sink, in relation to God.

Now, as we said before, there are two things that must be understood about judgment, the first of which is that it is a necessity, for without it, our society would be in a state of chaos and anarchy. The fact that evil people do not understand this is because they care about no one but themselves.

But the second thing about judgment that must be understood is that it is an eventuality. In other words, it is going to happen whether you want it to or not.

The first judgment the Bible talks about is the judgment to hell. The reason why this is an eventuality is because it takes place at the end of this life. Death is the great separator, and when this body draws its final breath, the eternal soul of the lost will open its eyes in hell.

Hell is the jail cell of the lost. It is here that they await trial where judgment will be passed against their sins. It is dark and lonely, and a place of indescribable pain.

For those who say to me that they don’t believe in hell, I have just two things to say. First, you don’t have to believe it to make it true; you are not the source of truth, but the Bible. Second, you will some day.

Others will say, “Hey, when I get to hell, I’m gonna party with all my friends.” Not only won’t you be able to find your friends, but you won’t even be thinking of them, and they won’t be thinking of you.

Hell is not a party, neither is it just a cuss word. Hell is the beginning of God’s judgment against the lost for their sin. And what’s more, it is a well-deserved punishment. But evil people do not understand this.

There is a second judgment in the Bible that seems to be little understood; it is called the Judgment Seat of Christ. It is here that every saved person will be judged for the things done in this life, whether they were pleasing to Jesus Christ, or not.

But it becomes increasingly clear to me that this judgment is little understood when I consider the caliber of those who call themselves Christians, and the state of the churches from which they emanate. Christianity cannot be easily seen in their lives.

They look like the world, and they act like the world. Bible doctrine is not important, but rather what “feels good.” And the “thou shalt not judge” banner is raised in defense of their worldliness.

Now, while we expect the lost to have a “thou shalt not judge” attitude, it is worse when found upon the lips of those who say they are Christians.

For Christians to take up such an “anti-judgment” position, not only do they betray that they don’t understand judgment, but they identify themselves with the wrong side. Solomon says “evil men” (Proverbs 28:5) “understand not judgment.”

The only thing worse is the conclusion of this verse: “but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” It is bad enough, as a Christian, to identify with the wrong side, but the reality of their condition is laid bare in that they have no interest in Jesus Christ.

But evil people do not understand this.

Ron Hamman is pastor for Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at

357-4229.