Stop Judging the Lost: A Wake-Up Call for the Church

“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

— John 3:17 (New Living Translation)

A wooden gavel lies on a stone surface in front of a wooden cross, with the words “Jesus Didn’t Come to Judge” centered in bold white text. — The cross was never meant to be a courtroom.

The Mission of Jesus Was NOT to Judge

Let that verse sink in for a second. Jesus didn’t come to wag a finger. He came to open His arms. If Christ—the only one righteous enough to judge—chose not to condemn the world, why do we?

And yet… judgment is a reflex for many Christians, especially those who’ve been walking with Christ for years. Somewhere along the way, we forget what it was like to be lost. We look at the world and see chaos, carnality, and confusion—and we respond with criticism instead of compassion.

Stylized golden footprints lead through an alley toward a bright sunrise under the phrase “We Were All Lost Once.” — Grace remembers where it started—lost, then found.

Judging the Lost Is Not Your Job

“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside.”

— 1 Corinthians 5:12–13 (NLT)

Paul couldn’t be more direct—judging unbelievers is not part of our assignment. That role belongs to God alone. When Christians focus their energy on condemning the world instead of reaching it, they step out of alignment with their mission. You’re not a spiritual bouncer. You’re a spiritual ambassador.

Outsiders don’t need condemnation—they already carry guilt and shame. What they need is hope, mercy, and a pathway to freedom. If our first message is judgment, we’ve lost the opportunity to share Jesus.

“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad… When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself…”

— Romans 2:1 (NLT)

This is a hard pill to swallow, especially for those of us who have grown up in church culture. We may feel morally superior to “those people,” but Paul reminds us: you were one of those people. We all fall short. When we judge, we expose our own hypocrisy.

Paul isn’t just talking to the self-righteous Pharisee—he’s talking to you and me when we shake our heads at the world instead of falling to our knees in prayer for it.

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you.”

— Luke 6:37 (NLT)

Jesus delivers a clear warning here. Judgment is a boomerang. What you throw out will circle back. When your heart is full of criticism, it crowds out grace. But when your heart is full of mercy, it mirrors your Savior.

Our role is not to push people away—it’s to draw them toward Jesus. And judgment builds walls where Christ built bridges.

Four young adults sit side by side, each staring at their phones, with the words “Phones in Hand. Souls in Need.” above them. — They’re not ignoring you—they’re just waiting for something real.

Why Do We Still Judge?

“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad…”

— Romans 2:1 (revisited)

Let’s be honest: it’s easier to judge than it is to love. It’s more comfortable to compare than to care. But the truth is, many Christians judge because they’ve forgotten what they were saved from.

We forget that we were once spiritually blind, chasing the wrong things, living for ourselves. We weren’t saved because we got it right—we were saved because God is good. Judging the lost doesn’t make you holy—it makes you forgetful.

And it makes the church look arrogant, irrelevant, and closed.

A young man with tattoos, piercings, and a mohawk stands in a church sanctuary under the words “Prodigals Look Different Today.” — God sees a heart ready to come home—even if it’s inked and pierced.

The Damage Judgment Does to the Church

It kills our witness. Nobody wants to be evangelized by someone who looks down on them.
It repels Gen Z—the most spiritually curious but institutionally skeptical generation in recent memory.
It reinforces stereotypes that Christians are hypocrites and haters.

If you want to reach the next generation, you have to get this right. They may not dress like you. Their arms may be tattooed. Their pronouns may confuse you. But here’s what matters:

They are all in need of what you already have—Jesus.

Angry middle-aged man gives a thumbs-down with bold text above him reading, “Don’t Kill the Message with Your Attitude.” — A bitter tone can bury a beautiful truth.

So What About Judging Christians?

Paul didn’t say we should ignore sin in the church. In fact, he says the opposite:

“It certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.”

— 1 Corinthians 5:12b (NLT)

But there’s a process—and it starts with your own heart.

“Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?”

— Matthew 7:3 (NLT)

Jesus wasn’t banning correction—He was commanding self-awareness. You can’t lead someone to repentance if your pride is leading the conversation. And once you’ve dealt with your own issues?

“If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.”

— Galatians 6:1 (NLT)

Accountability is biblical. But it must be done with gentleness, humility, and a deep awareness of your own need for grace.

Two doors side by side—one closed and dark, the other open and glowing—beneath the words “Judgment Closes Doors. Grace Opens Them.” — Your tone determines whether they walk away—or walk in.

5 Practical Steps to Break the Habit of Judging Others

Remember Your Rescue.

You weren’t saved because you were good—you were saved because Jesus is.
See People as Souls, Not Stereotypes.

Every person you see is someone Christ died for.
Replace Criticism with Curiosity.

Ask questions. Listen. Learn their story.
Speak Truth with Grace.

If God opens a door, speak—but let love lead.
Pray Before You Post.

Judgment often shows up in what we share online. Let the Spirit filter your words.

Final Thought: Want to Join the Awakening?

We’re seeing signs of spiritual hunger across America. If you want to be part of what God is doing, drop the gavel.

Jesus didn’t come to judge the world.

He came to save it.

Let’s be more like Him.

Checkout our other blogs on Evangelism: https://discipleblueprint.com/category/evangelism/

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