SELF CONDEMNATION

Romans 2:1-4 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself, for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them, which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Due to the visual evidence of the world that surrounds us, all human beings are without excuse when it comes to believing the true God of all creation (Rom. 1:20). Therefore, the word that begins the lesson text, continues this thought by stating another area of human conduct where mankind is found to be inexcusable. It occurs when one judges the actions of another with eyes that are blind to their own sinfulness. Although this admonition was directed primarily toward the Jews, the phrase "O man" broadens its application to all mankind that are guilty of unrighteous judgment. Condemnation is the act of passing adverse judgment on another. It censures and shows strong disapproval of the actions of someone. It declares and convicts another of being guilty of wrongdoing.

The sinful nature of condemning others originates with God, and is announced and supported by the teaching of His Son, Jesus Christ in His "Sermon on the Mount." Jesus told the multitude assembled, Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye (Matt. 7:1-5).

God, having omniscient knowledge of all things, is the righteous Judge. His Son, Jesus, also possessed this ability to judge rightly, as well as His apostles and disciples to whom he passed this same Holy Spirit-inspired ability. These all possessed the ability to see into the hearts of mankind, knowing their thoughts and things hidden from the human eye. Only those with this ability can assure righteous judgment. All others, like you and I, are limited in our judgment of others. We cannot see into their hearts and know their thoughts and motivation. It is extremely dangerous to judge others, especially since we, ourselves, are sinners.

The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman, known to have committed adultery, to Jesus. He was asked to pass His judgment on her based on the Mosaic Law. Such was prohibited in the abbreviated Ten Commandment Law of God gave to Israel through His servant Moses (Ex. 20:14). It was also well known that the punishment authorized by God was death. (Deut. 22:22). Jesus' reply to the accusers was he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. Realizing their own sinfulness they were convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last. No one was left to pass judgment on the woman except Jesus. Neither did Jesus, Himself, condemned her but told here to repent, turn from her sinful ways, and to go, and sin no more (See John 8:3-11).

This is our lesson on judging others. Jesus Christ is our example. When sin is recognized in others, we are not to condemn the person, but rather the sin itself. We are to express the need of repentance emphasizing Jesus' teaching to go, and sin no more. This is true whether the sin is one that we have personally committed or not. The fact that we are sinners, being guilty of any sin that transgresses God's commandments, we are not to condemn others for their sins. Why? Because in doing so, is against God's will, and, if we continue to unjustly judge others, how can we expect to escape the judgment of God? Toward us, God extends His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, with the hope of leading us to repentance. Self-condemnation is truly the result of condemning others!