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Judge Not – Matt. 7
Judge Not – Matt. 7
“Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matt. 7:1). Ah, the most well known verse of the Bible. Everyone knows that Jesus accepted and commended every behavior of mankind. Nothing was wrong. Everything was acceptable. Note: that was sarcasm. Jesus DID point out error and DID bring judgment against evildoers.
During a bible study that a friend and I were having with another man, the man jumped up and yelled “Don’t you judge me!” Whereupon my friend jumped up and shouted: “Don’t you judge me for judging you!”. Silence. Point made.
Even in the immediate context of this verse we see many things that demand that we make judgments. We are to be able to see the speck in our brother’s eye. Yes, we are to FIRST remove the log that is in our own eye, but that is so we can see clearly to help remove the speck in our brother’s eye. We are to discern who the ‘dogs’ and the ‘pigs’ are so we don’t cast our pearls in the wrong place. We are to determine which is the narrow way and which is the easy way. We are to recognize who is a false prophet and thus make a judgment between the real sheep and those who are just wearing sheep’s clothing. We are to make a distinction between good trees and bad trees, grape vines and thorn bushes, figs and thistles.
Those who are spiritual are to restore those who have erred (Gal. 6:1-2). Brethren are instructed to try and restore those who have those who have wandered away (Jam. 5:20). If a brother has sinned against us, we are to go and attempt to set the matter right (Matt. 18).
In all such judgments we are not to be hypocrites about it. We first must examine ourselves and make any needful corrections in our own behavior and thoughts. We are instructed to then help our brother remove the speck in his eye.
Jesus himself commanded: “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24). In such efforts to help our brother we must do it with sincerity and kindness. In such efforts we are to consider ourselves lest WE become entangled in the same problem.
Surely you wouldn’t judge me and say that I am wrong for writing this article, would you?
Hugh DeLong
Other judgments that are to be made righteously:
- Civil judgments by the authorities - Rom. 13:1f; Tit. 3:10 1 Pet. 2:13-15
- Local church on those living disorderly - 2 Thess. 3:6, 14; 2 John 10; Matt. 18:16-17; and 1 Cor. 5.
- Personal judgments concerning wrong doing: 1 John 4:1; Tit. 3:10; 1 Tim. 1:20; 6:5; Eph. 5:11
- Judgments concerning false teaching: Matt. 7:15-16; Gal. 1:8-9; 2 John 9-10; Rom. 16:17
