RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-06-28	Judge Not That You Be Not Judged (Mt.7:1)
		Mat 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. Mat 7:2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. Mat 7:3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Mat 7:4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Mat 7:5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Mat 7:6 "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. Jesus' command to not judge others is one of the most widely quoted of His sayings. It is almost always quoted in complete disregard of its context. Many people use this verse in an attempt to silence their critics. They interpret His words to mean, “You do not have the right to tell me I am wrong.” Jesus' words taken in isolation of the context, “Judge not, that you be not judged” does seem to preclude all negative assessments. However, there is much more to the passage than those seven words. When we consider the remaining text to not judge others, it cannot mean to never judge someone. This command, in context, demands that we use discernment when we judge. Jesus tells us, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs,” and “nor cast your pearls before swine” (Mt.7:6). Jesus also said, “Beware of false prophets” (Mt.7:15) and “You will know them by their fruits” (Mt.7:16). How do we discern who are “dogs,” “swine,” “bad fruit,” or “false prophets” unless we have the ability to make a judgment call on deeds or doctrine? Jesus is giving us permission to tell right from wrong. He does not say, “Anything goes.” Often those who misuse this command conclude that all actions are equally moral and that truth is relative. The Bible clearly teaches that truth is objective, eternal, and inseparable from God’s character. Anything that contradicts the truth is a lie. To the 'command abuser' to call something a “lie” is to pass judgment. For example, to call murder or adultery sin is to pass judgment. But it also is in complete agreement with God. When Jesus said not to judge others, He did not mean that no one can identify sin for what it is. This command to not judge does not mean we have no mechanism for dealing with sin. Jesus does tell us what inappropriate judging is: 1. Superficial judgment is wrong. Passing judgment on someone based solely on appearances is sinful Joh 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. 2. Hypocritical judgment is wrong. Jesus’ command not to judge others is preceded by comparisons to hypocrites (Mt.6:2,5,16) and followed by a warning against hypocrisy (Mt.7:3-5). 3. Harsh and unforgiving judgment is wrong. It is the merciful who will be shown mercy (Mt.5:7). Jesus said we will be judged with the same measure we judge others (Mt.7:2). 4. Self-righteous judgment is wrong. We are called to humility, and “God opposes the proud” (Jm.4:6). The Pharisees were confident and self-righteous, but God sees the heart (Lk.18:9-14). 5. Untrue judgment is wrong. The Bible clearly forbids bearing false witness (Pr.19:5; Ti.3:2). Christians are often accused of “judging” or intolerance when they speak out against sin. But opposing sin is not wrong. We just need to do it as Jesus intended us to judge. And that is with discernment and humility. We are to speak the truth in love (Ep.4:15). Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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