Do Not Judge

“¹Do not judge so that you will not be judged. ²For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. ³ Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? ⁵ 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. ⁶ “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

MATTHEW 7:1-6

DO NOT JUDGE ACCORDING TO YOUR STANDARDS

Human nature is such that we like to criticize others based on our own standards.

In Luke 18:9-12, we read a parable used by Jesus to speak to those who looked upon themselves as righteous and looked down on others whom they judged as “sinners”. It is about a Pharisee whose standard of righteousness is his external behavior (fasting, giving tithes) and yet treat other people unlike him with contempt. This is what can be called as self-righteousness.

CONFRONT SIN, RESTORE THE SINNER

Jesus forbids us to judge by appearance (John 7:24). But he is not saying that we are no longer to judge between sin and righteousness. In fact, Matthew 18:15-16 tells us to call our brother’s attention when he sins against you. Not to condemn, but to restore relationship with each other. Even if there is no guarantee that the one who sinned will repent, we should love them enough that we are willing to risk our friendship and talk face-to-face with the offending party.

Jesus outlines for us how we can judge sin and at the same time show grace to a sinning brother: Show him his fault in private. If he listens to your rebuke, restoration takes place between you and him. However, if he refuses to listen and there is no repentance, bring in at least two other witnesses and talk to him again regarding his sin. Remember, when we confront sin or a perceived wrongdoing in others:

DO NOT FORCE PEOPLE TO ACCEPT THE TRUTH

Galatians 6:1 tells us that “even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.” While is nothing wrong with wanting to help others get rid of sin and be restored to fellowship with God and others, not everyone wants to be helped. We are to exercise discernment. We are to recognize people’s sin for what it is but we are not to “ram down the truth into their throats”. Instead, we are to be gentle in our rebuke and put ourselves first in their shoes before making any conclusions. We are to treat others the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:7, 12).

However, be careful that we ourselves do not fall into the trap of the same sin that we rebuke in others.

Not forcing truth on people is the same principle we need to remember when sharing the gospel. Some will recognize the priceless value of Christ’s offer of salvation, but some will reject our message over and over again (Matthew 7:6, 2 Peter 2:21-22,Proverbs 9:7-8).

LET GOD BE THE FINAL JUDGE

In the end, we are to respect how people respond to the truth. Let God be the final judge. Our role is to pray for people and not to condemn them — even those we consider as the worst of sinners. Our part is to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ everyday so that we will not fall into sin’s deception and develop a hardened heart (Hebrews 3:13). Let us stop judging one another, especially in the Body of Christ, based on our own standards of right or wrong (Romans 14:1-6). Instead, let us focus on obeying what we read in the Bible, being careful to listen to the Holy Spirit when he rebukes or corrects us. Finally, let us leave the final judgment to God alone because each one will give an account to Him for what we have done in this life (Romans 14:10). Let us take 1 Corinthians 4:5 to heart and obey by the power of the Holy Spirit: “Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.”

- from 4W's