Judging Others within the Body of Christ

I have been judged before by other Christians.  Most likely most of us have been.  The Wednesday night bible study two weeks ago we discussed this issue in our men's group.  What does Jesus mean when he says that we should not judge, "for in the measure you use it will be measured to you?"  At the men's breakfast yesterday morning pastor Greg made a statement that we, as brothers in the Lord, should be able to confront a brother in love and gently correct him - we should have this freedom with each other.  I begged clarification.  Yes, we should not all be out looking for ways to pick out the faults in our brothers.  There are obvious times when our brothers in Christ need to be gently pulled back into fellowship - especially in times of obvious sin.  For instance Brian, a dear friend of mine, used an example about a person whose anger and frustration with his family became obvious to many in the church.  Since there was an established close friendship, he gently and lovingly shared his concern.  This example demonstrates that our Christianity must manifest the fruit of someone who claims to know Christ.  We should be able to confront and encourage one another to assess our own spiritual condition and repent if sin has blinded our eyes to the obvious - especially if our sin has become public.

But what about instances when another believes that even situations that are not bearing upon an obvious public display of non-Christian behavior, but instead are of a personal nature?  In other words, what about those situations where a person makes a personal decision that has little bearing, negatively, on his spiritual condition - like the decision to move to another town or state?  Does a brother have the authority to interject a judgment as to the correctness of my decision?  Or rather should he instead encourage and pray that the decision be made according to the will of God?

My assessment is that a brother has no business involving himself in anyone's affairs in this way unless he is asked counsel.  If counsel is given without being asked then a grave sin has been committed unless an invitation has been established.  My friend has given much counsel to me.  But it was invited because I learned to trust his opinions.  I had rightly assessed his relationship with the Lord and seen his consistency and his gentleness.  I determined that his words were reliable and honest and that he would seek to be Christlike in his counsel.  The establishment of trust within the body of Christ is sometimes a difficult thing to gain.  But if we seek to establish strong friendships through trust and we endeavor to build each other up in Christ; if we do these things we will not major on minor things and when and if the major, doctrine shaking things happen, we will rightly judge and seek to bring our brother back into right standing with Christ.  But everything outside of Christ's directive on these things, is a license we have no right to wield unless invited to do so by our brother.  Because taking this license will only cause division and dissension - inevitably killing whatever seeds of friendship were there. 

-Joe