Vigilante Justice

Matthew 7:1“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.(NLT)  

The word "judge" used in this verse brings to mind exactly what it should, the Judge in a court room.  The word in the Greek means "to decide by implication, to try, condemn, punish, avenge, condemn…"  Judging in a way as to determine the penalty for ones wrong doing belongs in a court room or lies in the hands of governmental authority and not in the power of citizens.  That is why civilized societies have established courts of law for just such purposes.  The normal citizenry should not deal with such issues, neither are they equipped to do so.  Anytime that men intervene in the judiciary process, take the law into their owns hands and dole out what they believe to be justice, that action is called vigilante justice.  Vigilante justice, regardless of motive is in itself, a crime punishable by law. 
One of the worst places that vigilante justice occurs is in the church.  Why is it so prevalent in the church?  Because Christians have knowledge of "the Law", the Bible and that knowledge causes them to rush to justice, often without all the facts and at times prejudiced by personal offense or by taking up the offense of others.  In the world we have courts of law to handle such matters and in the church only church leadership should be involved in judging matters and dealing with matters of discipline.  Judges and church leaders are supposed to be mature and impartial when it comes to such issues. If they are not, they recuse themselves from dealing with the issue at hand.  Only those appointed and anointed leaders are equipped to deal with such solemn matters.  
Jesus actually said that when we begin to judge others we set into motion an atmosphere of judgment that will entangle our lives with judgment coming back to trouble us too.  That is the principle of "sowing and reaping".  What then should we do when we have knowledge or think we have knowledge of a crime or wrong doing?  There is a process that is equipped to deal with such matters and it begins with duly appointed leadership in the courthouse and the church house.  Lay it confidentially at their feet and release the offense and the possible offender and don't speak of it with others.  That is the only way we can be sure we won't become embroiled in vigilante justice.