Don’t Judge Me

Introduction

There are many sayings, quotes, and truths that people think are in the Bible but actually are not. Some are harmless, but others can do great damage. This series will explore some of these and look at what the Bible says about them.

Quote: The Bible says that we are not to judge

Surface message it conveys

Judging others is un-Christlike. Christians are not suppose to form negative opinions or conclusions about other people’s lives.

Problem messages it conveys

Measure against Bible

Judging and passing judgment are not the same

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

Here, to judge means to condemn as guilty. Judging and condemning are not synonymous

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 56.30 κρίνω; κρίσις, εως; κρίμα, τος

56.30 κρίνωf; κρίσιςe, εως f; κρίμαd, τος n: to judge a person to be guilty and liable to punishment—‘to judge as guilty, to condemn, condemnation.’

1 Corinthians 5:12 “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”

The context here argues that the verse means, “Do not be judgmental.” Do not adopt a critical spirit, a condemning attitude.

—D. A. Carson

The manner in which we judge is how we will be judged

The “Golden Rule” applies in making judgments

Matthew 7:2 “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

Christians are to judge others constructively with humility and gentleness

Spiritual and moral assessments of other’s behavior should be done with fairness and impartiality

Grace without truth would be deceitful, and truth without grace would be condemning.

—Warren Wiersbe

Matthew 7:15–20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

John 7:24 “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.””

Rom 14 deals with judging others. Paul informs the believers to avoid passing judgment on one another in matters that are flexible, leaving that unto God

Christians should judge themselves first

Before we start pointing fingers outward we should first look inward

Those who are most ready to excuse or justify themselves in sin are often most severe in judging and condemning others.

—Ellen Gould White

Matthew 7:3–5 “Why do you see 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,’ when there is the log 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.”

Conclusion

The topic of judging one another is a touchy one that is fraught with danger.

Judging, especially within the body of Christ, is necessary and expected, but must be done with the utmost care or judging will become condemning.

Condemning has never changed a person’s life for good.