JESUS Christ once declared in no uncertain terms to, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:11). What did He mean that we should not “judge” others? Is all judging wrong?
In some other verses, He seemed to have encouraged His disciples to be more discerning and judging as he said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)
Those who claim that Christians are not to judge, do these when dealing with difficult issues such as adultery, abortion, so called “lifestyle choices” like homosexuality, and same-sex marriage. When a Christian insists, for example, that homosexual behaviour is a sin and that same-sex marriage is wrong, he or she is often met with derogatory comments like, “Who are you to judge two people who love each other?” Or similar statements such as: “You are a sinner too, so who do you think you are to tell us what’s wrong?” Speaking of an illicit affair one may retort, “It’s somebody’s private life—it’s none of your concern to judge.”
How are we to respond? Did Jesus really forbid judging?
In the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus declared, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2). When taken in isolation, these seem to imply that any sort of judgment is wrong, contextually however, there is much more to the verses than our own preconceived ideas.
Immediately after Jesus said to, “Judge not” (v.1), seven verses later, He cautioned everyone to, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine” (v.7), which is an obviously derogatory remark no less. He even proceeded to caution everyone about, “false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” (v.15)
A good question to ask is, how are we to know who are the “dogs”, the “swine” or the “false prophets”; if we are not to exercise our judgment?
To clear this up, a quick note from Strong‘s Concordance will tell us that the Greek word for “judge” (Strong’s 2919 κρίνω) is ‘krino’ (pronounced kree'-no). And it means, “properly, to separate (distinguish), i.e. judge; come to a choice (decision, judgment) by making a judgment – either positive (a verdict in favour of) or negative (which rejects or condemns). Thus, it is variously translated in the New Testament as “condemn –judge, determine, or condemn.” J. Thayer (Greek-English Lexicon) comments that “the proper meaning of 2919 (krínō) is to pick out (choose) by separating”
Primarily, Christ is warning believers against making hypocritical judgments in a condemning manner. This type of judging is a characteristic often associated with the elite and powerful of His day. So, when people quote “Judge not” from Matthew 7 v.1 it should be taken in the context of how to properly “judge”, when it stated in verse 5 (as a qualifier), “Then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Thus, while Jesus Christ discourages everyone to be “condemning”, He does not mean that we cannot show discernment and/or express our judgment as to form an opinion/view.
In other verses Jesus Christ clearly reminded us, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34)
He also taught everyone, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruits” (Matthew 12:33). These tell us that while we cannot see the hearts, we can “see”—and judge—by their actions (“fruits”). The Scripture is filled with admonitions and calls from God to be more discerning of people, the spirit world, and even “times and seasons”, because all these will have a great effect on us and our future (Matthew 24; Luke 21).
Therefore on spiritual import, Jesus freely exercised His view and called the religious leaders (Pharisees, Sadducees) of His time their example inimical as, “blind guides”, “hypocrites”, “fools”, etc. (Matthew 23). Very strong words indeed, when compared to our very pluralistic, licentious, “do what feels right” society that we have become.
In another instance, Jesus clearly showed them that His coming will call for division,
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:34-37
Jesus Christ further instructed his disciples to “dust off” their feet when a certain place or house refuses to hear them. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.” (Matthew 10:14 KJV)
In the end, we can be certain the even Jesus Himself will separate the “sheep” from the “goat”, those who are His will enter God’s kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46).
Nowadays, Christians are often on a defensive, accused of being “judgmental”, “bigot”, if not “intolerant” when they speak out against sin. But standing for what is the truth and upholding righteousness, as we oppose sin is not wrong—nor, does it need an apology.
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“But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For ‘who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)
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“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1) #judgment
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