Man to Man Judgement
Can we judge one another when it comes to eating and drinking? To answer this question, let’s see what Paul meant by these words:
“For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.”
– Romans 14:2
Let’s put this into context: We understand that there has been some dispute happening in the congregation of Rome, and Paul is trying to provide his advice. He is talking to those who eat all things, and to those who do not. The dispute is regarding “fasting”. We know that only eating vegetables can be a form of fasting. In the days of Paul, some believers were fasting, and some were not.
The message of Paul was to not judge one another.
Where should Judgement come from?
Those who eat everything should not judge those who do not eat everything. The same goes for those who do not eat everything should not judge those who eat everything. We can inform and help each other, but it’s never good to despise someone.
We must not judge somebody for their living habits. In fact, we should consider the situation of people before advising them. Lifelong habits are powerful and can be hard to change (See this post for more about picky eaters and reversing habits to be healthier). People should take into consider what foods are available under the circumstances in which someone is placed. Simple saying, “You should stop this or that,” is a bad idea. Contrary to what we might think, it can push the person away. Sharing important information that can help is a great and generous thing to do, as it also shows that we care for the person, but it gives better results if done with gentleness, courtesy, patience, and most of all with prayer.
Bible Verses about Passing Judgement
Here are some verses about judgement that we can consider as well:
“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.” – Matthew 7:1-5
“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” – Romans 14:10-12
