Topical Bible: Uprightness: should be in Judging

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Topical Encyclopedia

Uprightness, often synonymous with righteousness and integrity, is a fundamental biblical principle, especially in the context of judging. The Bible emphasizes the importance of uprightness in judgment, calling for fairness, impartiality, and adherence to God's standards.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of uprightness in judging is deeply rooted in the character of God, who is described as the ultimate judge. In Deuteronomy 32:4 , it is written, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This verse highlights God's perfect justice and serves as a model for human judgment.

Old Testament Teachings

The Old Testament provides numerous instructions regarding uprightness in judgment. In Leviticus 19:15 , the Israelites are commanded, "You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly." This directive underscores the necessity of impartiality and fairness, regardless of social status.

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 16:18-20 , the appointment of judges and officials is accompanied by a call to righteousness: "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for it blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you."

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible also speaks to the importance of uprightness in judgment. Proverbs 21:3 states, "To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice." This proverb highlights that God values just actions over ritualistic offerings, emphasizing the moral responsibility of upright judgment.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently addressed the failure of leaders to judge uprightly. In Isaiah 1:23 , the prophet laments, "Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them." This critique underscores the societal consequences of abandoning uprightness in judgment.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ exemplifies and teaches uprightness in judgment. In John 7:24 , He instructs, "Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly." This command calls for discernment that goes beyond superficial assessments, aligning with God's truth.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of uprightness in judgment within the church. In 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 , he writes, "Do you not know that the saints 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!" Paul encourages believers to exercise righteous judgment, reflecting their future role in God's kingdom.

Practical Application

Uprightness in judging requires a commitment to truth, fairness, and impartiality. It involves resisting external pressures, such as bribes or favoritism, and aligning one's judgments with biblical principles. This commitment is essential for maintaining justice and righteousness in both personal and communal contexts, reflecting the character of God and His standards for His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 58:1
Do you indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do you judge uprightly, O you sons of men?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 75:2
When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Folly, Wisdom, Piety, Equity, and Justice.
... For fidelity, temperance, uprightness, innocence, integrity, and the ... not speaking
of the equity of judging well, though ... to men, willed that all should be equal ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xv of folly wisdom piety.htm

The Gospel was Preached to Jews and Gentiles in Hades.
... have chosen you twelve disciples, judging you worthy ... lived after the advent should
have the ... righteousness: His countenance beholdeth uprightness." [3287] "But ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the gospel was preached.htm

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
... How precious should faith be unto you, when by faith ... but, as it were, overcome God
in judging, that the ... answered by your own integrity and uprightness, or by ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xii now the end.htm

The World.
... which consists in a manner of thinking, judging and acting ... In this you should conform
to all that due decorum ... only arms of defense are the uprightness of her ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter vii the world.htm

Sin Immeasurable
... how much of iniquity is mingled with our uprightness"how much ... He were indeed a crafty
man who should be able ... us has that keen method of judging himself, so ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/sin immeasurable.htm

To Olympius. Ep. cxlvi.
... I am ashamed to accuse before Your Uprightness one whom ... will seem to you just that
punishment should be demanded ... to-day you are not merely judging between man ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/to olympius ep cxlvi.htm

God Does not Judge any one for what He Might have done if his Life ...
... He would be judging a man before he was born ... developed in him, not according to the
uprightness which was ... who has been taken away after baptism should, if he ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 15 xii god does not.htm

Self-Respect and Self-Righteousness
... cares God, for your professions of uprightness and respectability ... eyes,' he says;
'why then should I think ... is;"then you will begin judging yourself wrongly ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xi self-respect and self-righteousness.htm

On the Excellency of Religion and Divine Love.
... for the common accommodations of life, judging all these ... of religion in its several
branches; but should be very ... is good, lead me unto the land of uprightness. ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part ii on the excellency.htm

Of Preparation.
... I should have lived in uprightness, giving every ... Where I should have made conscience
to speak ... simplicity, without any falsehood, prudently judging aright, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of preparation.htm