How Not to Be Judgmental

How Not to Be Judgmental

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

He can’t mean don’t discern what is sinful in someone or don’t confront someone over their sin; nor can he mean don’t make critical judgment calls on whether or not something is morally wrong or right (cf. ; ; ; ; ; ).

o He can’t mean don’t discern what is sinful in someone or don’t confront someone over their sin; nor can he mean don’t make critical judgment calls on whether or not something is morally wrong or right (cf. ; ; ; ; ; ).

It means looking down on someone with a superior attitude; it means criticism or condemnation without loving concern.

o It means looking down on someone with a superior attitude; it means criticism or condemnation without loving concern.

o Verse 2-6 assumes that we will indeed judge. In fact, they prescribe how we should judge. The real question is how should we judge?

Verse 2-6 assumes that we will indeed judge. In fact, they prescribe how we should judge. The real question is how should we judge?

1. Judge carefully – 7:1-6

Judge generously, not overly critical – 7:1-2

“The real fault is when we see ourselves as being in God’s place, to judge, to refuse forgiveness, to pass sentence and punish.” (Legg, 126)

Judge humbly, with self-evaluation – 7:3-5

We relate to one another not as judge and jury, but as brother and sister. In the family of God, we judge one another carefully—full of grace and full of humility—with the aim to help and restore.

Judge wisely, with discernment – 7:6

We go from language of “brother or sister” to “dogs and pigs.” “Dogs” was a common reference to Gentile people and “pigs” were unclean to a Jewish person. This leads some to think that Jesus is referencing what He says in , “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” In God’s redemptive plan, He came first to the people of Israel and from Israel to the nations. However, there could also be another point Jesus is making.

Jesus could be addressing those who are actively opposed to Jesus, those adamantly opposed to His message. The second half of verse 6 implies these people not only reject the message—“trample them under feet”—but they also attack the messenger—“turn and tear you apart.” (7:6)

We should never prejudge who may receive the gospel, but we should be discerning enough not to force it on those who show no inclination to accept it.

“The tone of our life is going to become the tone of our judgment.” (Hughes, 230)

2. Pray diligently – 7:7-11

Where do you turn for help not to be judgmental but to judge carefully?

10 Tips For Any Judgmental Person Who's Said "Ugh, Why Am I Like This?"

3. Love freely – 7:12

Verse 12 sums up what this passage is all about. It is known as the Golden Rule. What’s most striking is that Jesus says, “this is the Law and the Prophets.” Wow! That’s a big statement. has already showed us that Jesus has come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. Where focus on our devotion to God, focus on our relationship with our possessions and with others. This could very well be intended to reflect the structure of the Law itself, which has a vertical focus in the first 4 commands and horizontal focus in the final 6 commands.