We (and I include myself in this group) are so quick to pass judgment on other people. We don’t even give much thought, we just jump to judgment. Why is that the case? Is it a sense of superiority? Do we really think ourselves better than others? I will leave you to answer those on your own.
There are plenty of scriptures that talk about judging. Here are just a few:
Luke 6:37 -- Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;
Matthew 7:1-5 -- Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Romans 2:1-3 -- Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?
See also: John 7:24, James 4:11-12, Galatians 6:1, James 1:26, John 8:7, 1 Kings 3:9, 1 Corinthians 11:31,
Jesus’ command not to judge others could very well be the most widely quoted of His sayings, even though it is almost invariably quoted in complete disregard of its context. Here is Jesus’ statement: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). Many people use this verse in an weak attempt to silence their critics, interpreting Jesus’ meaning as “You don’t have the right to tell me I’m wrong.”
The Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean we cannot show discernment. Immediately after Jesus says, “Do not judge,” He says, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs” (Matthew 7:6). A little later in the same sermon, He says, “Watch out for false prophets. . . . By their fruit you will recognize them” (verses 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? Jesus is giving us permission to tell right from wrong.
Superficial judgment is wrong. Passing judgment on someone based solely on appearances is sinful . It is foolish to jump to conclusions before investigating the facts. Hypocritical judgment is wrong. When we point out the sin of others while we ourselves commit the same sin, we condemn ourselves. Harsh, unforgiving judgment is wrong. Self-righteous judgment is wrong. We are called to humility, and “God opposes the proud.” Untrue judgment is wrong. The Bible clearly forbids bearing false witness.
We are much too fast in donning the robe of a judge when we are obviously ill-prepared and unqualified to serve in that position.
Just before the death of actor W.C. Fields, a friend visited Fields' hospital room and was surprised to find him thumbing through a Bible. Asked what he was doing with a Bible, Fields replied, "I'm looking for loopholes."
Jesus requires true followers to apply His teachings first to themselves and then to others. When God reveals His truth to us, whether in Scripture or in some other way, our immediate response must be to say, “How does this apply to me? How do I appropriate this truth in my own life?” In following Jesus’ command to “judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1), we avoid drawing conclusions that are superficial, proud, hypocritical, or self-righteous.
- ALAN MURPHY
