To Judge or Not to Judge

Created: 12 Aug 2013 / Modified: 12 Aug 2013 What does "judge not that ye be not judged" mean? Are God's people called to judge anything or anyone?

Judgment vs Condemnation
Matthew 7:1 is one of the most used (and misused) passages in the whole Bible. It would appear that many people feel that there is no place for someone to point out that the actions or words of any other party are not in harmony with the standards found in God's Word. Even the mere mention of "standards" is likely to invoke this passage as a defense, without any consideration for the second verse. Matthew 7:1-2 KJV 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. The Bible is clear that we have no place to condemn others (Luke 6:37) or to engage in unrighteous or perverted judgment (Deut 16:19; 24:17), but it most certainly tells us that we have to judge righteous judgment (John 7:24). The Bible plainly teaches that how we judge others will determine how we ourselves are finally judged (Matthew 7:2). More than this, the Bible even outlines specific situations where we are to apply judgment. Here are just a few of the situations and supporting texts: -- Evaluating prophets, leaders and teachers ------ Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Matthew 7:15-20; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; 1 John 4:1 -- Administration of the Church ------ Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 1 Corinthians 5 & 6; Titus 1:7-16

Judge Righteous Judgment

If we are to know others by their fruits, this requires that we be able to assess (judge) them according to some standard (Matthew 7:20). Thus, blanket condemnations against judging are not any more helpful than judging according to an arbitrary standard, or in a hypocritical way (Luke 6:42). The standard of judgment that we are to use is the Law of God (Exodus 44:24). The Bible is full of judgment calls that we are supposed to make, and it can easily be argued that the failure to make those judgment calls has put the frown of God upon His church:

To Judge or Not to Judge That is the Question

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------2 John 1:9-11 KJV Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 KJV I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. Revelation 2:14-16 KJV But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Revelation 2:20 KJV Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. ------In Jesus' earthly ministry, He even said that He did not come to condemn, but to save (John 3:17). Yet, a rejection of Jesus and His messengers, will lead to condemnation from the word of God itself. John 12:47-48 KJV And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Is Judgment a Full Time Job?

Does this mean that we are to be busy judging everything and everyone arbitrarily? Should we be hypocritical in our judgment of others while we ourselves are failing to meet the very standard we are using against others? Heaven forbid. Matthew 7:2-5 and Romans 2:1-4 show that we should be careful that we are in harmony with God's law before we look to point out that others are not. But, it does not leave us any room to simply "mind our own business." The body of Christ is not a loose collection of people doing whatever they want, but an integrated unit that is supposed to exemplify the love, obedience and unity of Heaven. In all things, we need to judge righteous judgment -- without condemnation. We will one day be called upon to judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).

To Judge or Not to Judge That is the Question

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