Jesus instructed us to judge rightly, not according to appearances but according to the truth (John 7:24). We are not to avoid making judgments; such a thing isn’t possible. We must simply exercise patience and discernment, for we will be judged by the manner in which we judge others (Matt. 7:2).
The world does not like it when Christians render judgments against it, in the same way that people hate the Light of the world because they love darkness (John 3:20). The wicked hates and fears righteous judgment. It is tragic that in our day, many within the visible church have imbibed such a spirit of disdain against right judgment. Perhaps this is most clearly felt concerning character judgments of others.
Men are known by their character. A good name really is to be chosen more than riches (Prov. 22:1). This is why a good name is hard to regain once it has been lost. A smeared reputation can destroy everything a man has worked for. Hence slander and libel are incredibly wicked acts, a dangerous ditch to be in. It is a good thing for us to be quick to listen and slow to speak (Jas. 1:19), and this renders us prudently slow in casting judgments upon the character of others. But for the Christian, as with all things, we must walk the road between the ditches, and there is indeed another ditch parallel to this one.
When Withholding Judgment Becomes Inappropriate
Our precautions against slander often cause us to withhold judgment when we shouldn’t, and this is compounded all the more by the aforementioned spirit of our age. Many men will do this under the guise of “being gracious” or “giving the benefit of the doubt.” Though obviously not always, such phrases are often a verbal smokescreen behind which cowardly men may maintain their “winsome witness,” trying to please everyone and upset no one.
This is unbefitting a Christian.
When men speak, we ought to take them at their word. A man’s character speaks very loudly, and we should listen to what it reveals to us. Such character, or lack thereof, is more clearly revealed at certain times than others. In times of feasting and mirth, even the slimiest of men can masquerade about in the apparel of virtue. When the enemy is at the gates, the masks and pretendings of men fall away.
The Benefit of the Doubt
At this point, let us return to “the benefit of the doubt.” Patience and prudence in judgment are wholly befitting Christians. To render the benefit of the doubt to another professing Christian is appropriate, especially when seeking to appraise the character of someone you don’t know well.
Our minds all operate as filing cabinets to some degree. Everyone we meet and interact with has their own individual file. The more we interact with them over time and in varying scenarios and circumstances, the more information we collect on them. We file it away and the folders grow larger.
But observations are not ultimately made for their own sake; we have to do something with them eventually. The jury cannot deliberate forever when it comes to our assessments of the character of men. We must reach a verdict, and proceed accordingly. Once the doubt is removed concerning a man’s integrity, he must no longer be treated as though he is a potentially honorable and trustworthy man. By definition, the benefit of the doubt cannot be given once all doubt is removed.
Cowards in Colorado
Colorado HB25-1312 is a good case study still fresh on our minds. While many local pastors and congregants gathered online and around the steps of the state capitol building to protest the wicked injustice, a far greater number of pastors remained all but silent. No amount of calls, emails, or tags on X seemed to do the trick.
The Southern Baptist’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) was among those prominent Christian entities on the sidelines. They were virtually silent on the matter until after the bill had been all but signed into law by the governor. As the saying goes, you will know them by their fruits (Matt. 7:16).
The Colorado pastors and Christian organizations who knew the situation and yet refused assistance upon principle have shown their true colors. God knows their hearts and thus we leave that matter to Him, but we shouldn’t pretend that their rotten fruits aren’t plain to see. They have spoken very loudly about their character, and we should neither ignore it nor forget it. A man who won’t stand for the things of God when it might cost him the most is a man not fit to be among the ranks of the Lord, much less leading churches and Christian organizations.
Ready Forgiveness
Yet we are not casting an irrevocable blanket judgment upon these men. At the center of the Christian faith is man’s repentance and a God and Savior who always stands ready to forgive. If we but confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive them and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)! They have shown their poor character, yet they do not have to remain as they are.
Peter said to him, ‘Even though they all fall away, I will not.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ But he said emphatically, ‘If I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And they all said the same.
– Mark 14:29-31
All eleven disciples abandoned our Lord in His darkest, most trying hours, after saying they would die before denying Him. All of them surely felt the godly shame of their sinful cowardice. And all of them repented and found forgiveness in Christ, going on to lead His Church with boldness unto death. This is the beautiful promise of the Christian faith – forgiveness for all who repent and entreat the Lord for His mercy!
Call it Like it is
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
-Proverbs 26:7
It is a blessing when a Christian’s public lack of godly character is publicly noted and rebuked, for it aims to prevent him from hiding from the fact any longer. Every call to repentance is a call to put away sin, grow in godliness, and rejoice anew in the grace and mercies of our Savior. When we refuse to recognize men’s character for what it is, we deny them this glorious opportunity.
Not only this, but we deceive ourselves and open the gates of the city to men who would destroy us. When men who profess Christ but lack real integrity gain access to our churches, communities, school boards, local governments, and various Christian seminaries, missions organizations, and other institutions, the result is inevitable decline and capitulation to the demands of the world. We cease to be salt and light and grow increasingly indistinguishable from the world.
When such men gain access to the aforementioned institutions, they will not accept the challenge that virtuous men invariably bring with them. Virtuous men are throttled under cowards; leaders with poor character are largely unable to tolerate those with good character. This can and does lead to institutional decline, the effects of which reverberate through larger evangelicalism for decades to come. And while new institutions can and ought to be established by men of integrity, we must not pretend that starting from scratch is always the most ideal option. It takes time and great faithfulness to build something that lasts.
Judge rightly and judge patiently. Wait until you have a good read on a man before attributing to his character either deficiency or virtue. But once you’ve seen his character in action, call it like it is and act accordingly. Worry not about winsomeness or how others might react. We must cultivate new generations of Christians to pursue godliness as if their lives and the vitality of the Church depend on it – for they do! We must elevate and prize virtue where we see it, and we must exercise abundant discernment with rigorous standards for those who would lead our churches and institutions.
May God raise up a thousand generations of increasingly faithful men to lead His Church and teach the nations to obey all that Christ commanded!
