Do Not Judge?

We are returning to our series on the footsteps of Jesus today. Since we took a little bit of a break through the holidays, let’s spend a moment reminding ourselves where we have been as we examined the sermon on the mount. The sermon is built from two main ideas. The first is who the people of God are. The beatitudes and the comparison to salt and light describe who the people of God are. These are characteristics that define them. The second main idea is centered around how the people of God are supposed to conduct themselves. First there is character, then there is conduct. Christianity is focused on transforming one’s character so his conduct will align with it.

Before we took the holiday break from this series, we looked at proper applications of the Law, giving, praying, fasting,setting the right priorities, and overcoming anxiety.

The topic of today’s sermon is an often misunderstood concept. It also perfectly exemplifies the danger of ripping a verse from its context. Even people who have never read the Bible know that Matthew 7:1 exists. They know Jesus says not to judge, but we must always ask ourselves what the scope of a biblical command is and how the context may clarify the statement we tend to read in isolation. But it is not just nonbelievers who misunderstand Jesus’ words. The church, the followers of Jesus, misunderstand this as well. We must recognize our dependence on the Holy Spirit for the proper interpretation and arm ourselves with humility as we attempt to navigate a difficult topic.

Let us read the word of God together.

Matthew 7:1–6 NASB95

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Let’s explore some critical principles for exercising judgment.

Judgments are unavoidable.

Everybody makes judgments. The Oxford dictionary definition of judgment is, “the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions.” If we understand what Jesus said based on this definition, then his prohibition on judgment would be impossible to live up to. We would not be able to vote this year if we were prohibited from making judgments of any kind. How can you vote for a candidate for public office if you cannot make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions? You make judgments whenever you consider a person is safe for your kids or grand kids to be around. We make judgments on where we invest out time and our money. Life is unlivable if we are truly prohibited in making judgments at all. But this is not what Jesus is saying. We have to keep reading.

Our standard must be God’s.

The standard by which we judge others will be the same standard by which we will be judged. There is a minor debate as to who will be doing the judging in response to the person casting judgment. Some say it is other people, while others say it is God. God will always judge according to his standard, not yours. So, maybe Jesus is referring to being judged by others. This would mean that the old saying, “Treat others how you want to be treated” is the principle behind what Jesus is saying.

Let us assume for a moment that God would judge you by the same standard you judge others. Do you honestly think you live up to your own ethical standard? Do you not fall short of the standard you have set for yourself? If you do not live up to the standard you have set for yourself, do you think you have lived up to God’s standard? The obvious answer is no.

What are we learning here? Jesus is setting a standard for the behavior of citizens in his kingdom. But how are we supposed to live this out? Through figures of speech, Jesus tells us how to live this out, and it is through understanding this principle that we get a better understanding of what is meant in the first verse.

We must always prioritize victory over our own sin.

Look at what Jesus said in verses 3-5. Why do we look at the speck in our brother’s eye while ignoring the log in our own eye? How can you address the problem going on in someone else if you got an even bigger problem going on in your own life? We read this and assume a “live and let live” mentality. Jesus appears to be telling us to worry about our own shortcomings instead of worrying about the shortcomings of others. This is true, but read the next verse. If you have succeeded in removing the log from your own eye, then you have the capacity to see accurately the speck in someone else’s and can adequately address the issue.

If you spend all your time addressing the sins in everyone else’s life at the expense of wrestling with your own sins, you are a hypocrite. This is one of the greatest issues the church has faced in my lifetime. Forget about the moral decline of our culture. Forget about the departure from our foundation as a country. Forget about declining attendance in churches for a moment (though this issue is related). I cannot speak to the history of this church as well, but I can speak to the experiences I have had in other churches. For all the people who were once part of a church who left that church, it occurred for one of two reasons. First, church simply became less of a priority. For one reason or another, the person who left did not feel it was important to continue participating. Second, a conflict arose and the issue was addressed poorly, resulting in the departure of the party who was offended by the way in which the issue was not resolved.

Churches have a terrible track record in resolving conflict. Part of that stems from the fact that the church is often filled with people who do not take sin seriously. When we are not in the habit of addressing the sins in our own lives, we are not capable of addressing conflicts among us in a manner that is healthy and restorative. Instead, grace and mercy are forgotten and we seek action that is punitive instead of restorative. These are very difficult waters to wade through.

The principle here is that if you are going to address the sin in someone else’s life, you had better be sure you are not guilty of that same sin or worse. The issue is that we often read this and think we can never address the sinful behaviors of others. That is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches us that we should not cast judgment on one another, but we are authorized and responsible to address sinful behaviors among the church.

In Galatians, Paul is writing to the church about an incident like we are discussing.

Galatians 2:11–14 NASB95

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?

What does that sound like to you? Paul is making a judgment against Peter. Why is Paul not in violation of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7? Peter was guilty of hypocrisy by acting in one manner when he was surrounded by Gentiles, but acting in another manner when the Jews showed up. Paul was right to address the inconsistency in Peter’s behavior.

In the final chapter of the same letter, Paul writes,

Galatians 6:1–2 NASB95

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Notice what is being said here. When someone is in sin, first, one who is spiritual should be the one to address it. Secondly, they should do so with a spirit of gentleness. Coming at someone with rage achieves nothing. Thirdly, the goal should be restoration. Jesus already paid the price for the sin that person committed, so move past condemnation in favor of restoration and forgiveness. Fourthly, “each one looking to yourself” speaks back to this principle of examining yourself and killing the sin in your own life before concerning yourself with the sins of another.

Finally, we are commanded to bear one another’s burdens. I have said it 1,000 times. We are not meant to walk this path alone. We are meant to help one another pursue Christlikeness. We should be encouraging one another to pursue God’s design for our lives. Toleration of sin is not part of God’s design. We bear one another’s burdens with compassion, mercy, and forgiveness, knowing that we too also consistently fail to uphold God’s standard.

We must not pass judgment on one another, but we are to discern sinful behaviors and address them if we are to fulfill the law of Christ.

Discernment is critical to the task.

The final verse in this passage seems to be disconnected with what precedes it. What we have to understand is that dogs and pigs were detestable in ancient Israeli culture. These animals were regarded as unclean. Pigs are not only dirty animals physically, but they were also regarded as ritually unclean and forbidden as food. These animals are often used as a figure of speech to represent the kinds of people that do what these animals do.

Put yourself in the mindset of these people. It is likely that ancient Israelites did keep dogs as pets, which may mean that the dogs to which Jesus was referring were not the audience’s pets or work animals, but the feral dogs you might see wandering the streets or the wilderness. These dogs are scavengers. Nobody owned pigs on account of their unclean designation by God in Leviticus 11:7. They will tear up land and fields overnight. They do not know the difference or care about the difference.

So how may this apply to people? We must use discernment when we attempt to correct sinful attitudes and behaviors. This is more important in the community of faith rather than with the rest of the world. We should expect nonbelievers to act according to their worldview. We are expected to address sin issues within the community of believers, but how we do so matters as much as having the courage to do so. We must know when the point has come that pursuing this path is no longer fruitful.

Craig Blomberg writes,

Matthew 2. Paradigmatic Preaching: The Sermon on the Mount (5:1–7:29)

Jesus is obviously not telling his followers not to preach to certain kinds of people, but he does recognize that after sustained rejection and reproach, it is appropriate to move on to others

There is a point in which there is no point in addressing an issue further because the person is unwilling to budge. If you have addressed your own attitude and motives, and are coming to a person with love and seeking restoration, and all you receive is rejection, it is time to move on. This is consistent with Jesus’ instruction for church discipline in Matthew 18 and it is consistent with Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 5 regarding unrepentant sin. When all you get is rejection and refusal, it is time to walk away from that situation.

Let’s sum all this up by looking at a few application points:

You should not seek to condemn someone, but you are encouraged to address sin in the lives of other believers.

You must prioritize your own pursuit of holiness before you can address anyone else’s.

Exercise discernment in determining when it is time to move on from an issue.