"Judge Not" Does Not Mean "Discern Nothing"
"Judge Not" Does Not Mean "Discern Nothing": Why Christians Must Test Mormonism Against Scripture
One of the most common objections raised when Christians evaluate Mormonism is Luke 6:37:
"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned."
This verse is frequently used as a conversation stopper, as though Jesus was forbidding Christians from examining doctrine, identifying false teachings, or comparing religious claims against Scripture. Yet when we read the Bible in its full context, it becomes clear that Jesus was not condemning discernment. He was condemning hypocritical and self-righteous judgment.
The modern interpretation of "judge not" often means "never criticize anything." But that interpretation would place Jesus in direct contradiction with numerous other passages of Scripture that command believers to test teachings, expose error, and defend the faith.
The context of Luke 6 is crucial. Jesus was addressing hypocrisy. Immediately after warning against judgmental attitudes, He spoke about removing the plank from your own eye before trying to remove the speck from someone else's eye (Luke 6:41-42).
The point is not that Christians should never make judgments. The point is that Christians should first examine themselves and then judge rightly.
Jesus explicitly said:
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." (John 7:24)
Notice that Christ did not prohibit judgment. He commanded righteous judgment.
Christians are called to evaluate teachings, actions, and truth claims according to God's standards rather than personal prejudice or self-righteousness.
The New Testament repeatedly commands believers to exercise discernment.
Paul wrote:
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
John instructed believers:
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." (1 John 4:1)
Jude commanded Christians:
"Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3)
Paul warned:
"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8)
These commands are impossible to obey if Christians are forbidden from evaluating religious claims.
The Bible expects Christians to examine doctrine carefully and reject teachings that contradict the Gospel.
There is an important biblical distinction that often gets ignored.
Christians can judge teachings, doctrines, religious claims, public actions, and spiritual fruit.
Christians cannot judge the hidden motives of a person's heart, whether someone is ultimately saved, or a person's final standing before God.
Only God knows the heart completely.
Scripture teaches:
"For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
This means Christians can rightly say that a doctrine is false, a teaching contradicts Scripture, or a gospel differs from the Gospel preached by the apostles.
What Christians cannot say with certainty is that they know the condition of another person's soul. That authority belongs to God alone.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints often identify themselves as Christians because they believe in Jesus Christ. However, Christianity has never been defined merely by using Christian language or invoking the name of Jesus. The question is whether the Jesus, God, gospel, and authority being taught are the same as those revealed in Scripture.
When Mormon doctrine is compared to biblical Christianity, significant differences emerge.
Historic Christianity teaches one eternal God who has always existed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Mormon doctrine has historically taught that God the Father was once a man who progressed to godhood and that humans may likewise become gods.
Scripture states:
"Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me." (Isaiah 43:10)
And:
"I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me." (Isaiah 46:9)
Historic Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, uncreated and co-equal with the Father.
John writes:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)
Mormon theology presents a substantially different understanding of Christ's nature than the one affirmed by historic Christianity.
Historic Christianity teaches salvation by grace through faith in Christ.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith... not of works." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Mormon doctrine includes additional requirements connected to exaltation, temple ordinances, and eternal progression.
Christianity recognizes the Bible as the inspired Word of God. Mormonism adds the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and continuing prophetic revelation.
Yet Paul warned believers:
"Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you... let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8)
For these reasons, many Christians conclude that Mormonism is not Christian in the theological sense but a separate religion that emerged from a Christian background.
This is not merely an evangelical opinion. Many secular scholars classify Mormonism as a distinct religious tradition rather than a branch of historic Christianity. The Pew Research Center commonly categorizes Latter-day Saints separately from Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians. Encyclopaedia Britannica describes Mormonism as a distinct religious movement. Religious studies departments at major universities frequently classify Mormonism as a separate religious tradition because of its unique teachings regarding God, Christ, salvation, and revelation.
None of this means Christians should hate Mormons. Every Mormon is a person created in the image of God and worthy of dignity, kindness, and respect.
However, genuine love requires honesty. If Christians believe the Gospel matters, then identifying teachings that contradict the Gospel is not hatred—it is faithfulness.
The apostles repeatedly warned against false doctrine because doctrine matters. Jesus warned about false prophets because truth matters. The New Testament repeatedly calls believers to guard the faith because salvation matters.
Christians are not called to be rude. Christians are not called to be arrogant. Christians are not called to assume they know another person's heart.
But Christians are called to compare every teaching, every prophet, every church, and every religious claim against the Word of God.
Doing so is not violating Luke 6:37.
It is obeying Scripture..
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