What Does the Bible Say About Judgmental Pastors?

James 3:1 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

Romans 16:17 ESV / 15 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 15 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged.

Matthew 7:1-5 ESV / 15 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Galatians 6:1 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

John 7:24 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Matthew 23:23 ESV / 10 helpful votes

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

James 4:11-12 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

James 4:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes

There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Luke 6:37 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

1 Peter 5:1-4 ESV / 6 helpful votes

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 7:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Revelation 2:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

Titus 1:5-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Romans 14:1-23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...

John 3:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Luke 17:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,

Luke 6:42 ESV / 4 helpful votes

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

Ezekiel 3:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.

Hebrews 13:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

Titus 2:11-12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? ...

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ...

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. ...

Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

John 3:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

John 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Psalm 6:1-10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord—how long? Turn, O Lord, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? ...

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.

2 Timothy 4:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

Ephesians 4:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

Romans 1:1-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ...

Acts 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

John 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 8:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]]

John 3:1-36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...

Matthew 7:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Matthew 7:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Ezekiel 33:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

Ezekiel 33:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.

Jeremiah 3:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

49 Bible Verses about Judgmental Pastors

James 3:1 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 16:17 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:1-5 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 6:1 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 7:24 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 23:23 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:11-12 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 3:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 2:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:12 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:37 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:1-4 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 2:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 1:5-9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 14:1-23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 17:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:42 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 3:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:11-12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 6:1-10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 4:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:1-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:1-36 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 33:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 33:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 3:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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