At one point or another, most everyone in the Western world has encountered this famous verse. It’s a verse that is so famous that it rolls off of the tongues of secularists and religious folks alike.  It’s a verse often used in an offensive (and defensive) way, with the intention of striking at the motives of a persons heart.  It’s THE verse used to slap someone in the face who is out of line.  I know, you’re thinking “Just tell us what the verse is already man!”

“Judge not, that you be not judged” Matthew 7:1.

These words of Jesus are incredibly famous.  While I do occasionally hear a Non-Christian friend drop Matthew 7:1 while in the middle of a passionate debate about culture, religion, politics, gay marriage, and other heated topics, I most frequently see people (who identify themselves as being Christian) using the verse on someone who likewise identifies as being a Christian. For this reason, I will focus on the Christian use of the “judge not” in this article.  After all, it isn’t really shocking when a Non-Christian misquotes the bible is it?

 Dr. Sam Storms writes:

“Never has a passage of Scripture been so utterly abused, misunderstood, and misapplied as this one. Non-Christians (and not a few misguided believers as well) use this text to denounce any and all who venture to criticize or expose the sins, shortcomings, or doctrinal aberrations of others. One dare not speak ill of homosexuality, adultery, gossip, cheating on your income tax, fornication, abortion, non-Christian religions, and so on without incurring the wrath of multitudes who are convinced that Jesus, whom they despise and reject, said that we shouldn’t judge one another!”

Is the Christian forbidden from judging in all circumstances like so many Christians have said? Are you an evil person because you “judged thy neighbor” ?   Look at what the Bible says and think about it for a minute or two before you answer that question.

1. “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.  But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established”. Matthew 18:15-17.
2. “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Romans 16:17-18.
3.  “For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing”.1 Corinthians 5:3.
4.  “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed“.  Galatians 1:8.
5.  “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh”. Philippians 3:2.
6. “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” Titus 3:10-11.
7. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world”. 1 John 4:1.
8. “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works”. 2 John 9-11.
9. “I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.” 3 john 9-10.
10. And again, Jesus Himself said ” Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:24.

Jesus judged.  Paul Judged. John judged. The Church in Rome judged.  The Church in Corinth judged.  The Church in Galatia judged. Paul instructs Titus to judge.  John instructs the recipients of his epistles to judge too!  That’s quite the impressive resume of “judgers” don’t you think?

It is critical to point out that If Jesus commands you to “judge with right judgment” clearly it is OK for you to judge despite what some super sensitive person says on the internet. Jesus makes it clear that we are supposed to judge with “right judgment” though. This implicates there is also a wrong way of judging, which is what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 7:1.  If you look in your Bible at Matthew 7, you will see it is the last segment of the most famous sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount, presented by Jesus Christ Himself. His audience was primarily Jewish, and within that audience existed the religious elites (the Pharisees and Sadducees).  These Jewish legalists (literally) were notorious for their insistence on trying to crush Jesus’ ministry.

These religious elitists were also extremely self righteous people.  They loved being religious, they loved appearing spiritual, they loved the respect that came along with their position, they loved that the common folk feared them, and they would do whatever it takes to obliterate the efforts of anyone who threatens their authority.

Enter Jesus. The man who claims to be the Son of God.  The Man who is without sin.  The man who is faultless.  The man who alone can redeem.  He despised (despises) the religion of the legalist while upholding the religion of the bible.  He despised the self righteous attitudes and actions of the religious elites.  These people had no real interest in the spiritual well being of the souls of their followers, they only cared about themselves. Jesus on the other hand cares so much about the souls of His followers that he died on the cross for (our) sins, and was resurrected on the third day.

So as you can see, the people Jesus is talking about in Matthew 7:1 who should “judge not” really aren’t usually the same people who are told to “judge not” in the present day.  Yes, everyone knows a few super religious people who think they are better than everyone else, and have impossible standards for others to follow.  However, for the most part, most Christians are decent (imperfect) folk who are just trying to live out their life in a way that fulfills the greatest commands Jesus gave to “love your neighbor and love God”.

It is OK for you to hold a fellow Christian accountable for their sinful behavior – as long as you do it with love (Ephesians 4:15).  It is OK for you to disassociate yourself from people who are in unrepentant sin – as long as you first approach them in private and give them a chance to repent (Matthew 18:15).  It is OK for you to take a stance that isn’t popular in the name of biblical convictions –  as long as you first check out the speck in your own eye (Matthew 7:4-5).  Remember, the Christian is called to be Holy, and holiness is often not the most “fun” lifestyle in the Western culture we live in today.

So the next time someone tells you to “judge not” remember, Jesus permits you to exercise “right judgment”.  If however, you always think you’re in the right, perhaps you should apply the advice your friend gave you immediately! If you’re “that guy” who is always dropping the “judge not” defense, reconsider doing it all together.