Lil Nas X recently took the internet by storm with the release of his Montero (Call Me By My Name) music video. If you haven’t seen it, there’s a controversial scene of Lil Nas X sliding down a stripper pole into Hell and giving Satan a lap dance. I couldn’t be bothered to see the back and forth arguments between the internet on how they felt about it, and if you were looking for a post of me joining that particular argument, you won’t find it here. There’s a different discussion I’d like to join, however, and it’s the topic of Christians judging people. Should we do it? Should we not?
This post was inspired by a video I saw China McClain post on TikTok, seen below:
One of the most common arguments I see amongst Christians, or Christians and non-Christians, is that “Jesus said not to judge,” or something along those lines. One side of the argument says not to judge, and another side says that we can judge, but we have to judge righteously, and guess what? Both sides are right in their own way. Let me explain.
In the case of Lil Nas X, or anyone else who is not a Christian, Christians are told not to judge them. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 says,
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
Paul the Apostle, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (NIV)
(I also recommend looking at this verse in the message translation.) Chapter 5 of first Corinthians addresses how to handle sexual immorality, and as Paul the Apostle makes his closing remarks, he tells the church the difference between handling sinful behavior when it’s done by non-believers vs. believers. So when it comes to Lil Nas X and his video, I do not judge.
In her TikTok, China McClain references James 4:11, and many Christians commented on her video saying that we can judge, but we should do so righteously. I think there’s a much larger point to judgement that is being missed entirely. I’m going to bring up Matthew 7:1-5—the notorious verse used by people who tell us not to judge people. This time I’m using the AMP version, because it clarifies and elaborates on what is not explicit in the NIV. It says,
Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly]. 2 For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me get the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite (play-actor, pretender), first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Jesus, Matthew 7:1-5 (AMP)
Upon reading this, a lot of people go: “SEE! I told you we were allowed to judge!” And even they miss the point. Judgement—as far as sending people to heaven or hell—is absolutely reserved for God, so China McClain was correct in that point. But judgement between believers is about is about accountability—it’s not about nickel-and-diming people for every little thing based on your opinion of what’s right and wrong, it’s not condemnation, it’s not slander, and it’s not bullying.
We don’t even “act right” (produce the fruit of the Spirit) out of our own ability; that’s the power of God, The Holy Spirit—who is with us every minute of every day. So, because we are not walking alone spiritually as believers, offering judgement is not meant to be an opportunity to correct someone and send them away on their own. It’s meant to be an opportunity to correct them in love, and then WALK with them and bear their burdens—and keep each other accountable.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you may also be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:1-2
So, when Jesus says why do you call out the speck in his eye when you have a log in your own, I hope you see that two visually impaired people cannot walk together in accountability, or they will both stumble on something in their blind spots and knock each other over. Imagine two people carrying a heavy object, but they both have something in their eyes! How can one person warn another of danger, or guide the other person of where to step, if they are also struggling to see? Even though Jesus is warning against hypocrisy, He’s doing so because He expects us to walk together and it makes no sense for the blind to lead the blind! There’s a reason “brothers and sisters” is how we address fellow Christians—it’s because we are not meant to treat each other like strangers.
Therefore, the question isn’t: Should we judge?, it’s: Are you willing walk with them in accountability now that you’ve judged them? You wouldn’t correct a toddler and then turn your back on them for the rest of the day, so why do you judge other Christians and then leave them with no assistance to stay on track? Jesus didn’t even do that.
