Judge Not

Good evening and welcome, come on in and sit a spell. Well it's definitely Fall here in the Panhandle, been down in the 30s and 40s, but nothing wrong with that. Tonight we are looking at one of the most often misunderstood and misquoted passage of the Bible, Matthew 7:1. As we look at this verse it's important to understand that Christ Jesus wasn't making a blanket prohibition against all judgment and discernment, but against judgments made in self-centered pride. So what you say we open our Bibles and dig into God's Word.

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)

A good summery of Christ Jesus' meaning is, “Don't judge until you are ready to be judged by the same standard. And, when you do exercise judgment toward others, do so with humility.” It is one thing to exercise judgment, and quite another to have a judgmental attitude. One is an action that might be carried out with right or wrong motives; the other is simply a negative character quality.¹

The old adage says, “Do not judge your neighbor until you have walked in their shoes,” is a valid statement. Respect for others is an indication of one’s own self-understanding. The awareness of the complexity of our own lives and the limitations of our own nature should help us to be more considerate and understanding of others. This does not mean that, by an attitude of acceptance toward others, we are thereby endorsing their practice. But we can be discerning without being judgmental. So, to build the community of the kingdom, Christ Jesus asked His disciples to avoid censoriousness, to avoid prejudgment or prejudice, and to refrain from stereotyping people.²

Do not Judge: Unkind and flippant criticism is what is meant here. This command refers to rash, critical, and unjust judgment ~ Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. (Romans 2:1). Whenever we judge another person's life, we are always expected to do so humbly and with a Christlike attitude, not with an air of superiority.⁵

What Christ Jesus condemned is hypocritical judgment that focuses on the faults of others while excusing our own sins.³ Christ Jesus is referring to the habit of forming a judgment hastily, harshly, and without an allowance for every extenuating circumstance, and then expressing such an opinion harshly and unnecessarily.⁴ The Pharisees “played God” when they condemned other people; but they never considered that God would one day judge them. Our commitment to God’s kingdom and His righteousness demands that we not adopt a judgmental attitude. Those who “judge” like this will in turn be “judged,” not by men (which would be of little consequence), but by God (which fits the solemn tone of this discourse). The Christian who takes it on themselves to be the judge of what another does take the place of God, “But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” (Romans 14:10); and therefore becomes answerable to Him.

So we are never to judge right? Wrong. Christ Jesus doesn't condemn judging as in a court of law, for that is lawful and necessary. And He doesn't condemn our forming an opinion of the conduct of others. It is all but impossible not to form an opinion of conduct that we know goes against God and His Word. So Judgment as a serious and solemn act is not forbidden by Christ Jesus. Indeed it is often the Christian’s duty to judge and severely to condemn things which the world would never think of judging.

But to judge out of spite or to make a rash, unjust judgment; to stereotype a person is wrong and God will judge us by the same standers. When Christian nibble at each others' spiritual identity, they usually end up discrediting themselves and Christ Jesus before a lost world. We would do well to concentrate on our own faults, and leave the faults of others to God.⁵ I know, “easier said than done” right? Yes and no, remember we can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13).

Judge, some times; judgmental, never. Until next time may our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus bless and keep you and yours.

Biblesurfer

1Weber, Stuart K. - Holman New Testament Commentary, Matthew

2 Augsburger, M. S., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1982). Matthew (Vol. 24, p. 18). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.

5Crabtree, T.T. - Zondervan 2011 Pastor's Annual

3 Stein, R. H. (2017). Differences in the Gospels. In E. A. Blum & T. Wax (Eds.), CSB Study Bible: Notes (pp. 1510–1511). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

4 Barnes, A. (1884–1885). Notes on the New Testament: Matthew & Mark. (R. Frew, Ed.) (p. 76). London: Blackie & Son.

5Barclay William – the Gospel of Matthew – Volume 1