Matt,
Brad had some good words to say on this subject. I just wanted to add that
the word judgment, the judgment that we are not to make, has a sense of
condemnation. We are encouraged by Jesus to make judgments or a critical
nature but not of condemnation. Jes said, "by their fruit shall you know
them" and that is maybe waht you are calling "assessment". We are not those
who decide who is saved or who is lost. That is the judgment that we cannot
make: it is God's. It is impossible to think that we never judge anything
or anything in any situation. Certainly if one refuse to believe in God or
in His Son Jesus, we are not judging that person to say that he or she is
lost. The bible makes that judgment for us. But should we judge that one is
not worthy of our time to lead them to Jesus, that is the condemnation type
or judgement.
Maybe I have made this as clear mud. (smile) Glad to help.
Ned