Judge Not
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 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
This is one of the most frequently quoted, and regularly misunderstood, sections of the Sermon on the Mount. At first glance it appears to be a total prohibition of judging others, lest we also be judged. It is often used by those who have adopted unbiblical lifestyles, or by those who defend them, in order to stay the lips of faithful Christians who want to raise objections. In this way, biblical standards have been undermined and a laissez faire attitude to personal morality has developed. One wonders, by this understanding, whether there is anything that we are allowed to judge?
A closer examination of the context of these verses reveals that the popular, modern interpretation, trumpeted by those who value tolerance as the highest if not the only virtue, finds no support here. If Jesus meant that we are never to judge anyone, then why does He immediately proceed to tell His disciples to differentiate between faithful believers and those whom He categorizes as “pigs and dogs”?[1] Or, a little later, why does He command them to “Watch out for false prophets”?[2] If we are not supposed to judge between what is true and false, then what is the point in telling us to do so? Do we not judge people as we know them by their fruit?[3] This is nonsense. Christians are supposed to take pains to judge with careful, prayerful discernment.[4] Jesus’ words are not to be seen as prohibiting all kinds of judgment. A commitment to holiness of life requires that we judge between what is true and what is false. This will automatically exclude some behaviors and many beliefs. So, what does Jesus mean?
We may judge others, but we must not do so in an arrogant, self-righteous, or censorious manner. We must not give the impression that we are superior in any way to those whom we judge, because we are all sinners in need of grace. We, too, are under condemnation, without the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. But this does not mean that we should not seek the Lord’s wisdom in distinguishing between what is true and what is not.
Let me judge others, Lord,
with the charity with which You have judged me.
Don’t let me be hypocritical or mean-spirited or unfair.
Instead, teach me true discernment as I see others
through the lens of Your Word,
with Your Spirit’s aid.
Amen.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 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
This is one of the most frequently quoted, and regularly misunderstood, sections of the Sermon on the Mount. At first glance it appears to be a total prohibition of judging others, lest we also be judged. It is often used by those who have adopted unbiblical lifestyles, or by those who defend them, in order to stay the lips of faithful Christians who want to raise objections. In this way, biblical standards have been undermined and a laissez faire attitude to personal morality has developed. One wonders, by this understanding, whether there is anything that we are allowed to judge?
A closer examination of the context of these verses reveals that the popular, modern interpretation, trumpeted by those who value tolerance as the highest if not the only virtue, finds no support here. If Jesus meant that we are never to judge anyone, then why does He immediately proceed to tell His disciples to differentiate between faithful believers and those whom He categorizes as “pigs and dogs”?[1] Or, a little later, why does He command them to “Watch out for false prophets”?[2] If we are not supposed to judge between what is true and false, then what is the point in telling us to do so? Do we not judge people as we know them by their fruit?[3] This is nonsense. Christians are supposed to take pains to judge with careful, prayerful discernment.[4] Jesus’ words are not to be seen as prohibiting all kinds of judgment. A commitment to holiness of life requires that we judge between what is true and what is false. This will automatically exclude some behaviors and many beliefs. So, what does Jesus mean?
We may judge others, but we must not do so in an arrogant, self-righteous, or censorious manner. We must not give the impression that we are superior in any way to those whom we judge, because we are all sinners in need of grace. We, too, are under condemnation, without the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. But this does not mean that we should not seek the Lord’s wisdom in distinguishing between what is true and what is not.
Let me judge others, Lord,
with the charity with which You have judged me.
Don’t let me be hypocritical or mean-spirited or unfair.
Instead, teach me true discernment as I see others
through the lens of Your Word,
with Your Spirit’s aid.
Amen.
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