What does the Bible mean that we are not to judge others?
“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. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5
In these aforesaid verses in Matthew 7, Jesus is intensely concerned about hypocritical judgment. His message is that we must not judge others for what we are guilty of. Every time we hypocritically criticise someone, we are condemning ourselves. God must not find in us any wrong we see in others. Those who judge hypocritically are frequently hiding something about themselves. Their criticism of others becomes an ostentatious machinate or manoeuver intended to flummox others from their faults -their rational is that nobody would be suspicious that the man moralising that people should not steal, is actually robbing others blind.
The salient issue that Jesus is addressing here is not the notion of judgment per se, but of hypocrisy; that is, judging others while doing the same thing you are accusing them of. He is not forbidding judging. That is made clear as the passage goes on, as Jesus discourses about seeing a speck in another’s eye while having a plank in your own.
In addition, when Jesus says “judge not, lest you be judged,” He is telling us that the standard we use for judgment will be applied to us. Thus we are to beware of the pitfall of being rigid, severe, magisterial and supercilious in condemning others – in the process, we became proud and conceited in justifying ourselves.
Nonetheless, many people exploit this verse in an attempt to inappropriately muzzle their critics, rendering Jesus’ meaning as “You don’t have the right to tell me I’m wrong.” Taken in isolation, Jesus’ command “Judge not” prohibits all negative evaluation and judgements. However, there is much more to the passage than those seven words.
Non-Christians use this verse against Christians, saying that Jesus told us not to judge others, so when Christians make assertions of what’s right or wrong, they are being disobedient to Jesus’s word. When we examine the verse in its immediate and complete context of the Bible, we see that Jesus does not mean that we are not to judge on what’s right or wrong and what is true and false, but rather that we need to be circumspect when we do so (explanation as below).
Lots of people also use Matthew 7:1 “Judge not lest ye be judged” to advocate a broad-mindedness that often emboldens and fosters the acceptance of behaviours the Bible forbids. We know that wasn’t Jesus’ intention as that would contradict what Jesus and Scripture say in the other parts of the Bible. So, what did Jesus mean when He told us not to judge? So, although Jesus says we should not judge in Matthew 7:1, He also says we should judge in Luke 12:57 “Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?”
We thus need to hermeneutically determine exactly what He means because Jesus does not contradict Himself. Jesus says: “ But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” Matthew 18:16
As the Bible has God as the ultimate Author, it does not contradict itself. We must let Scripture interprets Scripture – thus the interpretation of the Word of God has to harmonise with other portions of Scripture and be interpreted in the context and counsel of the whole Bible. In context Christ is not forbidding personal opinion, godly wisdom, or righteous judgement, nor is He disallowing the correction of false doctrine or heretical teachings. Christ is forbidding hypocritical judgment.
It was the problem of unrighteous judgement, hypocritical conclusions, pompous reasonings, legalistic pride, and malicious criticisms that caused Jesus to utter the warning: “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Christ knew that the standard by which we judge others, will become the self-same standard by which we ourselves are measured.
It does not mean that we cannot exercise appropriate judgement and have discernment. Immediately after Jesus says, “Judge not…,” He says, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:6 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15–16 How then are we to judge when “we are supposed to not cast our pearls before swine”, or know who are the sheep, wolves and false prophets, unless we have the ability to make a judgment call on a situation, doctrines and deeds? Jesus is giving us guidance to adjudicate right from wrong.
The argument Christ uses to dissuade from this evil, which the Jews were very prone to, is, “that ye be not judged”; meaning for such censorious persons rarely have the good will of their fellow men, for such persons take upon them the place of God, usurp His prerogative, as if they knew the hearts and states of men. It refers to rash judgment, interpreting men’s words and deeds to the worst sense, and censuring them in a very severe manner; even passing sentence on them, with respect to their eternal state and condition.
In addition, saying “judge not, that ye be not judged,” Jesus is reminding us to avoid the damaging cycle of harsh unwarranted criticism and judgement. Rather, He invites us to practice humility, self-awareness, and compassion and grow personally and develop relationships based on love and understanding. Rather than pre-occupying with the shortcomings of others, we should acknowledge our own need for growth and approach everyone with care and acceptance.
The Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean all actions are equally moral, or that truth is relative. God tells us through his Word that truth is objective, eternal, and inseparable from God’s character. Anything that contradicts the truth is a lie – to call something a “lie” is to pass judgement. To call stealing or murder a sin is equally, to pass judgement, it’s also to agree with God.
Believers of Jesus, are called to judge. Indeed, there are many scriptures in the Bible asking us to do so. A whole book in the Bible details the activities of judges, (called and appointed by God Himself) for the promotion of His righteousness.
Jesus gives a direct command to judge “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” John 7:24 This shows Jesus wants us to judge, but we must judge righteously. There is the right type of judgement versus the wrong type. When Jesus said not to judge others, it refers to the sinful type of judgement:
- Untrue judgment is wrong. The Bible clearly forbids bearing false witness. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Exodus 20:16 “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” Proverbs 19:5.
- Self-righteous judgement is wrong. We are called to humility, and “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6. The Pharisee in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector was confident in his own righteousness and from that position judged the publican; however, God sees the heart of the Pharisee’s sin (Luke 18:9–14).
- Superficial judgement is wrong – judging according to appearance, for instance, Simon the Pharisee passed judgment on a woman based on her appearance and un-savoury reputation, but he could not see that the repentant woman had been forgiven; Simon drew Jesus’ rebuke for his unrighteous judgment (Luke 7:36–50). It is also foolish to jump to conclusions before investigating the facts “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 18:13.
- Hypocritical judgement is wrong. Jesus’ command not to judge others in Matthew 7:1 is preceded by comparisons to hypocrites. (Matthew 6:2,5,16 respectively “.. as the hypocrites do in the synagogues..” ; “the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues..”; “..as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance..”) and followed by a warning against hypocrisy (Matthew 7:3–5, as above verses). When we point out the sin of others while we ourselves commit the same sin, we condemn ourselves. Romans 2:1 “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”
- Harsh, unforgiving judgement is wrong. It is the merciful who will be shown mercy. “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7 and, as Jesus warned, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matthew 7:2
Is it Ever Appropriate to Judge?
Christians are often accused of “judging” or narrow-mindedness when they speak out against sin as defined in the Bible. But to be in opposition to sin is not incorrect. Holding high-up, the standard of righteousness inherently defines unrighteousness and of those who choose sin over godliness. John the Baptist incurred the fury of Herodias when he spoke out against her adultery with Herod (Mark 6:18–19). She eventually silenced John by having him beheaded, but she could not silence the truth. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8 The Word of God is truth. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17
Believers are warned against judging others unfairly or unrighteously, but Jesus commends “right judgment” (John 7:24). We are to be able to tell the difference, be discerning. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21. We are to speak the whole counsel of God, including the Bible’s teaching on sin. “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Acts 20:27; “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2. We are to practice church discipline (Matthew 18:15–17). We are to speak the truth in love. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15
In addition, does it also mean that judgement is not to be pronounced in the civil courts of judicature, which ought to be made and pass, according to laws of the land, as one of the examples? The modern judicial system, including its judges, is a necessary part of society. In saying, “Do not judge,” Jesus was not saying, “Anything goes.” The Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean there should be no process or system to dealing with sin.
The Law of Moses says in effect: In righteousness, you shall judge your neighbour. “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:16
In fact, the judges in the Old Testament were raised up by God Himself (“And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge:” Judges 2:18a).
While the Bible censures “faultfinding”, it applauds “fruit inspecting” – judging. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15,16,20 Does this not involving judging?
When a church member was involved in sexual sin Paul said “For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,” (1 Corinthians 5:3). He judged the man’s behaviour based on the Scriptures. Paul made sound judgments based on the bad fruit he saw. The apostle judged some believers as worldly and others in the church as false believers who intended to bring the church into bondage. Paul’s judgment in discerning the spiritual condition of the saints helped him protect and instruct the church.
If a person has a pattern of wrong or malicious behaviour, many don’t want to appear judgmental, that information helps us make sound decisions as the Bible says. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:11
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 We must exercise judgement if we are to “rightly interpret” the Word of God and apply them correctly as God has intended. “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things,..” 1 Cor 2:15a
Exercising right judgement is important. When we sense something is wrong, we must not let a distorted view of “judge not” guilt us into disregarding this “sensor” that God has given us. Adolf Hitler said, “What luck for leaders that men don’t think.” May that not be true of us. We must not let the fear of being called “judgmental” impel us to toss away our God-given judicious judgement. We need the wisdom and discernment to judge between that which is good and that which is evil – right judgement and discernment protects us. “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” Proverbs 4:14-15
Dr. Cheong Kok Weng
Oct 12, 2024