To judge or not to judge?...that is the question!

Here is a polarising issue if there ever was one in our faith!
Are we allowed to judge or not judge?

There are plenty of scriptures based on Jesus words that indicate it is a no-go area for us all.
That none of us has a right to make a judgement on someone else, their choices, their actions.
But is that the whole picture? 

Recently someone said they were upset at others judging them.
What were they feeling judged over? 
Their lifestyle change...
In particular that for some time they had declared to all who would listen that leading a moral life was what God wanted and expected. Now with a change in lifestyle, when others who had previously supported the first position, asked why the change?...the retort was that they were being judgemental.

I can't help but feel we need a bigger perspective on the issue.
So recently I did some research of my own, reading through every Bible scripture I could find relating to the topic. Reading blogs and articles written by all sorts of people both religious and not. 
All in the aid of getting some big picture.

Here are my observations...

1. You are not supposed to Judge.
2. You are supposed to Judge sometimes?

Here are a sample of quotes from Jesus and others in scripture...
"Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
"Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?"
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged"
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."
"Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?"
"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes."
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
"Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?"
"Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!"
"Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?"
"I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say."
"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day."

Maybe what you and I need to do is not judge the majority of the time, but if we are in a position where judgement is required, be very sober, humble and careful.
I think of the example used in 1 Corinthians about a guy being found out to be sleeping with his Dad's wife...YUCK!...and how no one had done anything about it. Judgement on some level was required. A lack of judgement meant something wrong was left to continue, which is an even greater wrong!

To judge or not to judge?...that is the question!

I think this is worth some thinking about?