Judging others…? – 16th February 2017

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”(Matthew 7:1).

Jesus’ command not to judge others could be the most widely quoted of His sayings, even though it is almost invariably quoted in complete disregard of its context. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1 -2 ). Many people use this verse in an attempt to silence their critics, interpreting Jesus’ meaning as “You don’t have the right to tell me I’m wrong.” Taken in isolation, Jesus’ command “Do not judge” does indeed seem to preclude all negative assessments. However, there is much more to the passage than those three words.

The Jesus’ command that we not judge others does not mean we cannot show discernment. We can learn that immediately after Jesus says, “Do not judge,” He says, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6). A little later in the same sermon, He says, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?”(Matthew 7: 15–16). How are we to discern who are the “dogs” and “pigs” and “false prophets” unless we have the ability to make a judgment call on doctrines and deeds? We can surmise that Jesus is giving us permission to tell right from wrong. Because, if we don’t recognize right from wrong then our entire exercise of steadfastly working towards having a close relationship with God and salvation is NOT possible.

The command that we not judge others does NOT mean that we cannot discern what is right and wrong! It does NOT mean all actions are equally moral or that truth is relative. The Bible clearly teaches that truth is objective, eternal, and inseparable from God’s character. God is truth. Anything that contradicts the truth is a lie—but, of course, to call something a “lie” is to pass judgment. To call adultery or murder a sin is likewise to pass judgment—but it’s also to agree with God based on His teachings for us. When Jesus said not to judge others, He did not mean that no one can identify sin for what it is… Because based on God’s definition of sin we have clear teachings in the bible for our clear understanding.

The Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean there should be no mechanism for dealing with sin. Elsewhere in the bible, Jesus gives a direct command to judge: But we must bear in mind that there can be “right” and “wrong” judgments. Knowing this Jesus advises us as we can read from in John 7:24,“ Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” In our day to day living as Christians, we are called upon to make Judgments…right or wrong? Family, friends, workplace, society…The important thing is that when we are required to judge for whatever reason, we have to ensure that it is NOT simply for “appetence sake” but to steadfastly offer the “right” judgment always! The wrong type of Judgment can cause serious consequences for the one being judged and hence a sin for he or she who is giving the wrong judgment. Since we come across the right type of judgment versus the wrong type, we have put together a description of the sinful type of judgments for a Christians understanding.

Superficial judgment: This is passing judgment on someone based solely on appearances is sinful. It is foolish to jump to conclusions before investigating the facts. We get some advise in Proverbs 18:13, “To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” Simon the Pharisee passed judgment on a woman based on her appearance and reputation, but he could not see that the woman had been forgiven;

Simon thus drew Jesus’ rebuke for his unrighteous judgment as we can learn from Luke 7:36–50 .

Hypocritical judgment: A person giving a hypocritical judgment will be behave in a way that suggests that he or she has higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case when it is NOT so. This too is a sin as it is an enacted lie. Jesus’ command not to judge others as stated above in Matthew 7:1 is preceded by comparisons to hypocrites as we read from Matthew 6:2, Matthew 6:5 and Matthew 6: 16. We can also learn of a warning against hypocrisy found in Matthew 7:3–5, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Jesus is teaching us that when we point out the sin of others while we ourselves commit the same sin, we condemn ourselves. We can learn this from Romans 2:1, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”

Harsh, unforgiving judgment: The bible teaches us that we are in Titus 3:2, “…to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” Jesus also teaches us that it is the merciful who will be shown mercy and, as Jesus warned, “In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2). Even in our day to day lives we can clearly experience this.

Self-righteous judgment : As Christians we are called to humility, because: “God opposes the proud” ( James 4:6 ). The Pharisee in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, the Pharisee was confident of his own righteousness and from that proud position he judged the tax collector as we can learn from Luke 18:9–14; But we must know that God sees the heart NOT simply the add-ons that we may use to promote our Self-righteousness.

Untrue judgment : The Bible clearly forbids bearing false witness: “A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.”(Proverbs 19:5). Therefore as Christians when we are called to pass judgment of any matter we can learn from Titus 3:2, “…to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”

In the bible believers are warned against judging others unfairly or unrighteously, but Jesus commends “right judgment” (John 7:24). We are to be discerning (Colossians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). We are to preach the whole counsel of God, including the Bible’s teaching on sin (Acts 20:27; 2 Timothy 4:2). We are to gently confront erring brothers or sisters in Christ (Galatians 6:1). We are to practice church discipline (Matthew 18:15–17). We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).