JUDGE NOT!

We know that many scripture verses are sadly misinterpreted, and often taken so far out of context that they completely lose their original intended meaning. Matthew 7:1 tells us, “Judge not, that you not be judged.” (ESV) How many times have you as a Christian heard that verse used improperly? Likely, almost every time you have heard it spoken, usually in day-to-day conversations. We hear day in and day out, you should not judge anyone for any reason. You have no right to judge another person. Who are you to judge others? Just because you do not like something that someone does, does not give you the right to pass judgement on them. What kind of Christian are you to be judging someone?

Is that what Jesus meant when He spoke those Words at the Sermon on The Mount? No, it was not what He meant, but society has been able to twist those words in a way that has blurred the original meaning, the true meaning. I heard a minister say recently during a conversation, “Who are we to judge anyone else for any reason, we are told never to judge another person, that is God’s responsibility.” It was clearly obvious that he was speaking out of context in the way he stated that. I did not expect to hear such a statement from him. In a small sense he was correct, it is God’s responsibility to judge us. In the end God will judge us all in the final judgement.

HOWEVER, are we simply required to blindly accept everyone for what they are or what they appear to be and not make any form of judgement about them? If that is true, then do we as believers, as Christians doing our best to live a holy life and walk with Jesus on our journey, just ignore those who present to us in evil ways? Do we just accept unholy behavior by others and ignore it? Do we not have the right to call them out on such behaviors? Are we allowed as Christians to judge if we believe that a person is not acting in a holy, Godly, or good way? Good questions, aren’t they?

In 1 John 4:1 we read, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” This verse tells us to evaluate, to discern  and basically to judge whether what we are seeing or hearing is good or evil by viewing it with God’s Word. We are literally told in no uncertain terms to not simply believe every spirit but to test them.

Ephesians 6:13 tells us, “Therefore  take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand firm.” We are told to recognize evil that we see in us and that we see in those we encounter each day. On the days of temptation, we are to stand our ground and when we have done all we can, we are to continue to stand firm. Don’t we therefore have to judge what we see as evil temptation?  

In Ezekiel 44:23 we read, “And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” Once again, we are told that we as believers must learn how to discern between good and evil and act accordingly. We cannot do that unless we make judgements in our mind and hearts. Judgements of what is right, wrong, etc.

No, my friends, contrary to the popular misconception, Matthew 7:1 does not forbid us as believers from judging a person, a person’s actions, or the fruit of the tree the person grows. Discernment is a big factor when living a holy life. You must know who you associate with every day. You must be able to recognize those in your life, in your church as well, who lean towards evil ways, who preach the Gospel incorrectly straying from the truth of God’s Word. Jesus does not want us to judge others through a hypocritical eye, and that is extremely important, but we as believers must know how to discern good from evil, write from wrong, holy from unholy. There is no way to avoid some kind of judgement unless you bury your head in the sand. We do not only need to know how to do this, but the truth is, we must also in fact do it.

Matthew 7: 3 -5 tells us, “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 a 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.”

When we view another, and are looking to discern things about them, we must do so without the plank or the log in our own eye. Jesus tells us in John 7:24, “Do not judge by appearances but judge with righteous judgement.”  Righteous judgement without being hypocritical. Jesus did not say in that verse do not judge. He told us to judge with Righteous judgement. Can it be any more clear that that verse? We should be looking closely at the person, not simply a title such as the pharisee or scribe in Jesus’s time, but the actual person themselves, the things they do and the reason they do them. Yes, the reason is important. Are they conducting themselves in a certain way to simply impress others and be noticed? Are they trying to present themselves in church as if they are sincerely living a holy life, but the rest of their life demonstrates that their behavior in church is just a façade covering for the unholy things they do? Do they believe in the things they are doing, are they doing them with a sincere desire for good or merely to escape detection for what their intentions may be? Are they seeking recognition for good acts they do which are done not to help others, but simply to impress others and get attention and credit?

Discernment should not come in the name of Gossip or slander on your part. Discernment and judgement can be considered a defense mechanism for us as we try and ensure that we surround ourselves with people who truly, sincerely desire to be holy and bring glory and honor to our Lord. First, we MUST ensure that we ourselves are living a holy life. When we sense that someone is acting in unholy ways, it is ok to look further and with a non-hypocritical eye decide if our senses were correct and if so, do what we need to do to try and assist that person. There may be nothing that we can do, and as Christians we understand that.

Matthew 7:6 says, “Do not give dogs what is holy, do not cast your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them under their foot and turn to attack you.” Some people, regardless of how they may try and act, even people in our own church, are not truly interested in the gospels, they are not going to accept your help to find their way to be holy. They will reject your attempts to bring the Word of God to them. You are not placing a final judgement on the person, nor a sentence, as we stated above, that will be done by God at a later date. You are making discerning judgements for good reason. To spend your time sharing the gospels with those who have absolutely no desire to hear them and who have no interest in what you are saying. We can see a reference to what Jesus said on the mount about dogs and swine when we read 2 Peter 2:22. “Of [false teachers] the proverbs are true: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,’ and, ‘A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.’” Simply stated, you must be able to discerningly judge those who are willing and interested in hearing the Word of God in the gospels and those who have no interest in them at all. You must be prepared for those who refuse to listen to the Word to rebuke you and blaspheme that which you have told to them. Move on from them and wisely teach to those who will listen with the desire to know, to learn, and to Follow the Word.

So, the next time you are told “Judge not lest ye be judged”, and are told that because you are judging someone you are not and cannot be a Christian, understand that Jesus did in fact state, you can absolutely judge, discern, and decide without being hypocritical in your discernment.

Walking in the path of Jesus should be every Christian’s goal. To do so, surrounding yourself with people who are holy is a critical step. Use your discernment and surround yourself with them. When you pray tonight, here is a short prayer to include.

Father in heaven, Satan roams the earth seeking to destroy everyone and everything. Help me be more sensitive to things in the spirit so I am alerted to anything not of you. I ask that you reveal any hidden motives or deceitful plans that may harm me and my loved ones. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

May God bless you and keep you holy. Remember, you will always find the truth when you, Follow The Word.

Chaplain Bill