Judging Others – 2

6“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Is the command to not judge a universal command that applies to all of life?

What does Jesus mean, when he says, “Do not judge”?

Is there ever a time where one can judge?

We’ll look into these areas and more, the Lord willing.

Matthew 7:1 (AMP 2015)

1“Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly].

Judge = κρίνω krinō = to judge a person to be guilty and liable to punishment; to judge as guilty, to condemn, condemnation.

When Jesus says, “Do not judge,” he prohibits a negative attitude toward others—a critical spirit.

Do not judge. The Greek verb used here, krinō, denotes the idea of expressing a negative opinion about someone.

You will be judged = to be evaluated (state): to be or become assessed or appraised by critical examination or scrutiny.

Since all people are sinners, no one is worthy to condemn another.

To the degree that you judge other people, other people—and God—will judge you.

The verse implies that we judge in a right sense.

But we should not indulge the criticizing faculty on others in a censorious manner as if we were set in authority and had a right to dispense judgment among our fellows.

We do not object to people forming a fair opinion of our character, neither are we forbidden to do the same toward them. But as we would object to their sitting in judgment on us, we should not sit in judgment on them.

Charles Spurgeon: This is not the day of judgment, neither are we His majesty’s judges. And therefore, we may not anticipate the time appointed for the final reckoning or usurp the prerogatives of the judge of all the earth.

Reformed Expository Commentary:

Jesus does not forbid the evaluation of others.

He forbids the condemnation of others.

[This verse] is directed to relations between Christians.

R.C. Sproul: Matthew 7:1 is not addressing a judgment of discernment.

We are called to evaluate human behavior, in the light of God’s Word, and determine or discern whether it is good or evil.

This verse is addressing a judgment of condemnation.

The word used in the text is borrowed from the legal vocabulary of the day, and it has to do with the gavel of the judge coming down when he issues a sentence of punishment. That is the judgment of condemnation.

So, we could interpret Jesus’ words as “Condemn not, that you be not condemned.”

When therefore we are called upon not to judge, we are warned against the self-righteousness which condemns everybody who does not do exactly as we think they ought to do.

John 3:17 (NIV84)

17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Condemn = κρίνω krinō = to judge a person to be guilty and liable to punishment; to judge as guilty, to condemn, condemnation.

The word condemn is the same Greek word for judge (krinō).

Romans 2:1–3 (NIV84)

1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

2Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

Pass judgment = κρίνω krinō = to evaluate: to form a critical opinion of something (either positive or negative) by examination or scrutiny.

The word, condemn, is the same Greek word used for judge in Matthew 7:1.

You are condemning = κατακρίνω katakrinō = pronounce a sentence after determination of guilt; pronounce a sentence on someone.

Jews often passed judgment on Gentiles because Jews felt themselves to be spiritually superior to Gentiles.

James Denney (1856-1917): “The apostle has now to prove that the righteousness of God is as necessary to the Jew as to the pagan; it is the Jew who is really addressed in this chapter from the beginning.”

“The Jew is ready enough to judge the Gentile. But he forgets that the same principle on which the Gentile is condemned, namely, that he does evil in spite of better knowledge (1:32), condemns him also.”

God’s wrath is revealed against all those who suppress the truth of God (1:18–32). Therefore you are without excuse when you judge others (2:1a), because you practice the very things you condemn in others (2:1b).

Condemnation was not due to the act of judging. The Jews “condemn[ed] themselves because they practiced the same things.”

This was addressed to those who judged others for the very same type of sins they were committing.

Practice the same things. In their condemnation of others, the Jews had excused and overlooked their own sins.

Self-righteousness exists because of two deadly errors:

Minimizing God’s moral standard usually by emphasizing externals; and

Underestimating the depth of one’s own sinfulness.

Human beings never seem able fully to admit their wrongdoing and never tire of making excuses for their bad behavior.

Most of us make excuses, arguing that although Paul’s description may be true of other people, particularly very debased individuals or the heathen, it is certainly not true of us.

“We know better than that,” we say. “And we act better, too.”

Matthew 7:1 (NIV84)

1“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

This verse is often used and abused by Christians and non-Christians alike.

Those who mishandle this verse often use it as a shield for sin, a barrier to keep others at bay, allowing them to justify living as they please without any regard for moral boundaries or accountability.

This verse cannot be used to substantiate unrestrained moral freedom, autonomy, and independence. This was not Jesus’ intent. He was not advocating a hands-off approach to moral accountability, refusing to allow anyone to make moral judgments in any sense.

Jesus was explicitly rebuking the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who were quick to see the sins of others but were blind and unwilling to hold themselves accountable to the same standard they were imposing on everyone else.

When people are confronted about their behavior, they frequently invoke “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” as a shield against accountability, using it to justify living without moral boundaries or consequences.

Those engaged in immoral behavior often quote this verse when attempting to defend their sinful lifestyle.

Certain religious people quote it when being challenged to prove that their unscriptural practices are backed by biblical authority. Skeptics even quote it in an attempt to show an inconsistency in Jesus’ teachings.

The command to not judge does not prohibit all types of judging. We are supposed to exercise a righteous kind of judgment with careful discernment (John 7:24). Censorious, hypocritical, self-righteous, or other kinds of unfair judgments are forbidden; but in order to fulfill the commandments that follow, it is necessary to discern dogs and swine from one’s own brethren.

John 7:24 (NIV84)

24 Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

Psalm 105:12–15 (NIV84)

12When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it,

13they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another.

14He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings:

15“Do not touch my anointed ones (touch not my anointed, kjv); do my prophets no harm.”

Also in 1 Chronicles 16:19-22.

Immoral spiritual leaders often respond with, “Touch not God’s anointed,” when someone challenges or accuses them of wrongdoing.

Leaders using this phrase insinuate that critical speech about them constitutes sin.

Some Word-Faith teachers cite this verse in arguing that they have been specially anointed by God and should not be criticized for their teachings.

They indicate in their words and actions a belief that challenging their teachings amounts to challenging God himself.

No Christian leader can lay claim to being special or above others and beyond doctrinal criticism.

In Psalm 105:15 and 1 Chronicles 16:22, the warning applied to God’s specially chosen people, the Israelites, as God warned surrounding nations not to oppress them.

In ancient Israel, divinely chosen leaders—particularly kings and prophets—were literally anointed with oil to symbolize their being set apart for sacred service.

The specific command not to touch God’s anointed has nothing to do with criticizing spiritual leaders; it refers to physically harming Old Testament kings and prophets.

Luke 6:38 (NIV84)

38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

This verse is not a promise for material gain.

By looking at the preceding verse, we can understand the true context of what Jesus was speaking.

Luke 6:37 (NIV84)

37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Judge = κρίνω krinō = ‘to act as judge’, ‘to pass judgement on other people’.

“to separate, choose, select, or determine,” and has a dozen or more shades of meaning that must be decided from the context.

Here in this verse, Jesus is talking about the self-righteous, egotistical judgment and unmerciful condemnation of others practiced by the scribes and Pharisees.

Their primary concern was not to help others from sin to holiness, but to condemn them to eternal judgment because of actions and attitudes that did not square with their own worldly, self-made traditions.

Condemn = καταδικάζω katadikazō = to judge someone as definitely guilty and thus subject to punishment; to condemn, to render a verdict of guilt, condemnation.

condemn, pronounce guilty.

Do not judge is a command against taking the posture of a judge toward another person; pronouncing a negative judgment on them, especially while ignoring one’s own faults.

Do not condemn is a command to not pronounce someone guilty, condemn, them, or pass an adverse sentence against them.

Judgment considers the case; condemnation delivers the guilty verdict against the person.

Jesus isn’t forbidding discernment. What He forbids is a judgmental, condemning posture toward people, especially one that fails to apply the same standard to oneself.

The principle of “the measure you use, it will be measured to you” not only applies to giving, it also applies to how we judge, condemn, and forgive others.

John G. Butler: The judging in our text simply speaks of prejudicial judgment, unfair judgment, judgment without the facts.

If you are prejudicial in your condemning of people, do not be surprised if you experience the same unfairness in treatment. If you want people to forgive you, then you need to be willing to forgive them.

Matthew 7:2 (NIV84)

2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Measure = μέτρον metron = that which is used for measuring, a measure.

We get the words: meter (measure), geometry (measuring land), trigonometry (measuring triangles), thermometer (measuring heat), chronometer (measuring time)

What are you using to measure when we judge and are being judged?

Perhaps a five-gallon bucket measure is reserved for the judgment we mete out to others.

A teaspoon measure should be used when we are being judge by others.

It doesn’t work that way. If we use a “five-gallon bucket” measure when we judge and condemn others, then that same measure will be used against us in judgment and condemnation.

Galatians 6:6–10 (NIV84)

6Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Galatians 6:7 (AMP)

7Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.

8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

While people can deceive one another, and even themselves, about their motives and attitudes for giving, they cannot deceive God.

1 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV84)

11For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

The thoughts of an individual human being are in large measure masked to all other human beings.

Only the one person really knows what that one person is thinking.

When one’s actions are judged according to what another thinks are his motives, the judgment is not only unlawful but, more often than not, it is entirely wrong.

We must operate only on the basis of a person’s words and actions, what we see and hear. And then, only tentatively. We can never be absolutely sure of his motives, intentions, purposes or goals even when he tells us what they are.

The heart can be deceptive—even self-deceptive.

A balance is needed between obeying commands to judge rightly and not to judge wrongly—between judging another’s actions and words and judging his heart’s intentions.

One of the evidences of immaturity is unbiblical, surface judgment.

People often judge others by their actions but judge themselves by their intentions.

An error in judgment comes, when one assumes what the other person’s motive was behind their action(s).

Matthew 7:15–20 (NIV84)

15“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

We discern people—especially teachers—by their “fruit,” that is, by the consistent pattern of their words and deeds, not by guesses about what is going on inside them. Jesus says we “recognize” people by what their lives produce, just as trees are identified by the kind of fruit they bear. This assumes observable evidence, not speculation about motives.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (MSG)

5So don’t get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of—inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the “Well done!” of God.

Divine judgment, and only divine judgment, will accomplish two things:

It “will bring to light what is hidden in darkness.”

It will “reveal the intentions of the heart.”

We’ll continue with this teaching of what constitutes right and wrong judgment, the Lord willing.

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