Who Are You To Judge?

Thesis Statement:

While Christians are called to stand for righteousness, Jesus warns against hypocritical and self-righteous judgment. True judgment must be righteous, humble, and based on God's Word—not our opinions or appearances.

INTRODUCTION

Matthew 7:1 ESV

“Judge not, that you be not judged.

This is one of the most quoted and misunderstood verses in the Bible.

People use it to suggest Christians should never speak against sin—but is that what Jesus meant?

Context is key. Jesus wasn't forbidding all judgment but warning against hypocritical judgment.

OBJECTIVES

Jesus Condemns Hypocritical Judgment

Righteous Judgment Is Commanded, Not Forbidden

God Alone Is the Final Judge

1. Jesus Condemns Hypocritical Judgment

Matthew 7:1–5 ESV

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 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.

Jesus is warning against self-righteousness and hypocrisy.

When we judge others harshly while ignoring our own sins, we become hypocrites.

Romans 2:1 ESV

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

Christians must first examine themselves before correcting others.

Application: Instead of being fault-finders, we must be soul-lifters. Help restore, not destroy.

2. Righteous Judgment Is Commanded, Not Forbidden

John 7:24 LEB

Do not judge according to outward appearance, but judge according to righteous judgment!”

Jesus commands righteous judgment based on truth, not surface or personal bias.

1 Corinthians 5:12–13 ESV

For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

Galatians 6:1 ESV

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Judgment is necessary for church discipline, spiritual restoration, and doctrinal soundness.

Application: Discernment is essential. We are not to be silent in the face of sin but must speak the truth in love.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

3. God Alone Is the Final Judge

Romans 14:10 ESV

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;

Romans 14:11–13 ESV

for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

Ultimate judgment belongs to God.

We must not condemn others as if we ourselves are sinless or possess divine authority.

There’s a difference between warning someone in love and condemning them with arrogance.

James 4:11–12 ESV

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Application: Leave final judgment to God. Our role is to guide, correct with humility, and encourage repentance.

Conclusion

“Who are you to judge?” is a fair question—if our judgment is hypocritical, arrogant, or unbiblical.

But Scripture teaches there is a righteous way to judge—with humility, truth, and love.

Examine yourself first, judge according to God’s Word, and always seek to restore rather than condemn.

Leave final judgment in the hands of the righteous Judge—God.