Christ has plainly taught that those who persist in open sin must be separated from the church, but He has not committed to us the work of judging character and motive. He knows our nature too well to entrust this work to us. {COL 71.3}

There is one thing that we have no right to do, and that is to judge another man's heart or impugn his motives. But when a person presents himself as a candidate for church membership, we are to examine the fruit of his life, and leave the responsibility of his motive with himself. But great care should be exercised in accepting members into the church; for Satan has his specious devices through which he purposes to crowd false brethren into the church, through whom he can work more successfully to weaken the cause of God.--Review and Herald, Jan. 10, 1893. {Ev 313.3}

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Christ does not here teach that members of the church who are unworthy shall not be dealt with according to the rules that he himself has given. And in this same chapter he warns us to beware of false prophets, and says, "By their fruits ye shall know them." But Christ puts his rebuke upon those who are criticising others, upon those who are self-sufficient, presumptuous, and censorious, judging the motives of others, and seeking to condemn them. This class give evidence that they are looking for failings in others, and these are what they will see and comment upon. They pass by many estimable qualities, to dwell upon and distort and magnify seeming inconsistencies. {ST, March 14, 1892 par. 1}

God is omniscient. No sin escapes His notice. He has given to no human being the work of judging the hearts and motives of His blood-bought heritage. He has given all judgment into the hands of His Son, whom He placed at the head of humanity to live in our behalf a life pure and undefiled, without a trace of sin. {21MR 271.2}