Judging With Righteous Judgement

Have you ever had song lyrics run through your mind? What about a very well-known expression? What about a certain Scripture? How about when it all happens at once?

Song: One Bad Apple of the Osmond Brothers fame. “One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch.”

Expression: “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” I can remember Rev. Kenneth E. (Dad) Hagin saying this one a lot.

Scripture: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24

The other night I was the guest of my fear friend Apostle, Don Hughes, on his Facebook Live broadcast. During the broadcast that lasted about an hour and 10 minutes, we discussed many things. Some of which included topics about why certain things are the way they are in the church, especially when it comes to Ministers and Leaders.

We were wondering and speculating with all of the progress we have seemed to make, how in the world we seem to still have so many hangups and concerns both between Leaders, as well as with the Body of Christ towards Leaders.

Enter the song. The famous song says that - “One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch.” But, unfortunately, that is exactly what seems to be happening in far too many cases. We have an isolated case or cases of a bad apple (s) or actor (s), and we want to ‘tar everyone with the same brush’ whether justified or not.

Enter the expression. The famous expression says - “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” The implication is that the water gets dirty and you throw it away or let it go down the drain, but you don’t get rid of the baby at the same time. Yet, it seems that is what we do in many cases. We want to throw the good away with the bad, not taking the time to do what the Scripture says…

Enter the Scripture. The well-known Scripture says - “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24 To do this requires some time. Because we live in such a fast-paced, ‘rat race’ society, most of us don’t want to take the time required to do this.

It is much easier to just discount and do away with everything than to judge each instance or case on its own merits. Just because one Preacher was manipulative when receiving an offering, doesn’t mean all preachers are. Just because one “Prophet” was in it for “Profit” doesn’t mean all prophets are.

We must learn to judge with righteous judgment. We must examine the fruit, motives, and character, of each leader we encounter. I have encountered some leaders that make my skin crawl, but that doesn’t mean all Leaders make my skin crawl.

Jesus did say: “By their fruit, you would know them.” He never said: “By their gift or anointing, you would know them.” It is time we become fruit inspectors and judge with righteous judgment.

I refuse to label all prophets as bad just because there are some charlatans out there. I refuse to label all preachers as money-grubbers because some are. I refuse to view all leaders as power-hungry individuals trying to control people’s lives when I know there are true Servant-Leaders out there.

Do you understand what I am saying? It is time we evaluate everyone on an individual basis. Just because one doctor is bad, doesn’t mean all doctors are bad. Just because one lawyer is bad, doesn’t mean all lawyers are bad. Just because one cop is bad, doesn’t mean all cops are bad. Just because one salesman is bad, doesn’t mean all salesmen are bad. And, just because one preacher is bad, doesn’t mean all preachers are bad.

Folks, “One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch.”

“Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”