Judge Not!

One of the most misused passages in scripture is found in Matthew 7:1-6 which begins with the familiar phrase, "Judge not, lest ye be judged." I'm sure you've heard it; a public figure is caught doing something wrong and they use the snarky retort, "Judge not, lest ye be judged" even though they will most likely reject every other teaching of Christ. I have heard believers say those very words themselves in relation to other's deeds or their own. Did Jesus really intend for us not to make any judgements about others? Scripture speaks volumes about this.

We can start investigating scripture for an answer in the same chapter, vv 15-20, where the multitudes were told to beware of false prophets. How were they to know who the false prophets were? Would these false prophets identify themselves by handing out their business cards, showing their IDs and introducing themselves as such? No. Verse 15 says false prophets will disguise themselves as true prophets. In some cases, false prophets are deceived themselves (look at II Tim 3:16). Jesus told the people that false prophets would be identified by their deeds. Jesus then, is telling the people to make...gasp... a judgement about a person's works to determine whether they are speaking God's words or not. It gets worse. Look at Titus 1:5-16. In this passage, Paul actually charges Timothy to apply a certain standard in choosing elders in the church of Crete. Paul even says that there are those in the church who are "liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons," quoting a local prophet. Wow, Paul is judging them even though Jesus said, "Judge not lest ye be judged!" Paul asks Titus to act on this judgement by commanding him to sharply rebuke them.

Obviously, Jesus did not intend in Matthew 7:1 for people never to make judgements about others. There are countless passages in scripture that command us to not only judge but even to act on that judgement. I expect wicked men to misuse scripture, but I must correct my believing brethren who hold to and practise the cultural interpretation of this passage (or use the culture's interpretation as a cop out when they are wrong). Jesus is warning the multitude he is addressing of hypocrisy; maligning others for doing something wrong when you yourself are doing the same thing and/or worse. People who violate this principle are identified usually as gossips and busybodies. People who adhere to the actual principle Jesus is teaching are motivated by love and not pride. They will confront someone in their sin humbly for that persons good. An excellent passage written to Timothy by Paul in II Timothy 2:14-26 exemplifies the proper way for a believer to correctly judge and rebuke. Paul casts judgement upon some in the church and lays out for Timothy how he should deal with these doing wrong in vv 23-26, exhorting him to correct those in error with out disputing but in humility and love, for THEIR GOOD.

There are many reasons for a believer to judge according to scripture, but never to make us feel better about ourselves. Often, it's easier to say "judge not" than it is to do the right thing and approach someone in humility about their sin.