1 Corinthians 4:3
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
To be weighed by others or by any human court is a very small matter. A person's own verdict on himself is likewise not decisive, for self-judgment cannot establish innocence or faithfulness. The saying belongs to ministers of Christ, to physicians, to teachers of truth, and to every believer, as stewards of the mysteries of God, who are called to a true, living experience in which it is required that a steward be found faithful.
Disregard for human judgment is required because the Lord alone judges each person's work, keeps the record on high rather than by human figures, and will give to each a just reward, so a person can commit his case to God's tribunal rather than fear human judgment. Therefore none are to judge before the appointed time, when the Lord will bring to light what is hidden and make known the purposes of the heart. A faithful steward keeps everything in order, handles his Master's goods in means or in property as his Master's property, keeps a conscience void of offense toward God and fellow men, keeps his position untarnished by mean actions in dealing with fellow stewards, and does not try to make his own course appear to possess great wisdom.
Every soul is to be able to speak this word with Paul; where this character is lacking, deficiencies are apparent before angels and men, and where it is present, his righteousness goes before him with the glory of God as his rearward, which is God's splendid workmanship building human character. God's servants can speak it when the peace of God calms and soothes mind and heart and they trust their record is kept by God, learning to lean on no human support, to be free from dependence on human praise, deference and recompense, to be undepressed by human censure, to keep the spirit free and uncontaminated by human devising, and to reach a high and holy standard. Since the church militant is not the church triumphant, they must not strive for mastery or seek to be recognized as great men, but as good men.
This safety in committing the case to God's tribunal belongs to those who are anxious to have their record good on high rather than fearful for their record in this world, with motives pure and lofty and unsullied, assured that their course has been straightforward and that Christ's sacred cause has not been imperiled by human reasoning or man's judgment. The saying cautions against judging fellow believers because they do not appear perfect in words, spirit, or actions. When everyone connected with God's work humbles himself before God, hides self, lets One mighty in counsel be wisdom and ambition and joy, and exalts Christ, all is well, without the jealousy, envy, and ambition that grieve the Spirit of God.