Our society as a whole has rejected the idea that we can identify anyone’s chosen behavior or identity as being wrong. This has led to the acceptance of numerous practices that were once largely looked down upon. As a result, the only thing that many people will condemn is the “intolerance” and “bigotry” from those who identify sin as sin.
Many such people are irreligious and have no interest in following the Lord, yet they want to try to use the Bible against “intolerant” Christians. Then there are others among this group who claim to be Christians but condemn the “judging” done by other Christians. Both types of individuals will often cite Jesus’ statement, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1), in order to condemn those who identify sin and encourage righteous behavior. However, Jesus’ point in that passage is very different from the one that many people make from it. Notice the whole context of that verse:
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 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? 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? 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” (Matthew 7:1-5).
In this passage, Jesus talked about judging and being judged. Other Bible passages address this topic as well. Let us consider what Jesus and the rest of the Scriptures say about it.
The Context of Jesus’ Words
Unfortunately, many people only read the first verse and ignore the rest of Jesus’ teaching in that passage. By isolating the first verse, it is very easy to argue that Jesus condemned any kind of judgment. Yet when we consider the whole passage, it is easy to see that what Jesus was actually condemning was judging others hypocritically.
Jesus explained that we are to look at ourselves first (“first take the log out of your own eye”). We need to examine ourselves to see how we measure up to the Lord’s standard (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5). When we do this, we must make any necessary corrections. After we do that, Jesus said we can look to help others (“then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye”). Paul said that those who were spiritually mature were to help their brethren who were caught in sin (Galatians 6:1). However, helping our brethren in sin requires us to “judge” them and determine that they are in sin. Otherwise, we could never correct them.
Jesus’ point in this passage is not that we should never point out the sins of others and try to correct them. Instead, His point is that we need to get our hearts right so that we can see clearly to help others get right with the Lord. In other words, Jesus was teaching us to do the very thing that many erroneously use this passage to condemn.
Two Standards of Judgment
While there is a certain type of judging that must not be done, other judgments must be made. Part of the difference between them is in the standard of judgment that we use. When we pass judgment on others, we will use one of two standards – either a standard of the world or the standard from God.
- Judging according to the world’s standard – As the Pharisees were judging and condemning Jesus, He rebuked them for judging “according to the flesh” (John 8:15). This standard of judgment led them to reject Jesus (John 8:12-13). The world’s standard of judgment is rooted in assumptions and bias, not in truth.
- Judging according to God’s standard – Jesus said earlier, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). In other words, Jesus said that judging is something we MUST do. Still, we must be careful that it is “righteous judgment.” This standard of judgment would have led the Pharisees to accept Jesus because it was based upon the word of God (cf. John 5:39), which was the truth (John 17:17; Psalm 119:160). Judging according to this standard is about determining what God has revealed is true and right.
We should not make judgments based upon what we think but upon what is right. The only way to do this is to judge according to the standard that God has revealed in His word.
Judgment and Mercy
There is another factor to consider in passing judgment. James wrote, “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). As we noticed in the previous point, we are to judge based upon what is right; yet we are also to show mercy.
In the verse before, James said that we will be judged by God (James 2:12). The standard by which we will be judged is His word (cf. John 12:48; James 1:25). Therefore, we have no right to judge or condemn someone else based upon a human standard. Jesus said that those who would do this worship God “in vain” because they are “teaching as doctrines the precepts of men” (Matthew 15:9).
Also, if we do not show mercy, we will not be shown mercy from God. At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that “the merciful…shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). Then later in that discourse, He explained that if we “do not forgive others, then [our] Father will not forgive [our] transgressions” (Matthew 6:15).
This does not mean we are to tolerate sin and error. Paul plainly stated, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11, NKJV). Instead, we are to assume the best of others and not be quick to condemn. We are not to rush to judgment based upon appearances (cf. John 7:24; James 2:1). Instead, we are to see others as God sees them – impartially ready to welcome them when they do what is right (Acts 10:34-35) – while also accurately identifying and correcting sin in the lives of others (cf. Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20).
God’s Judgment of Us
In all of this, we need to remember that God will judge us: “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:12). God is “full of compassion and is merciful” (James 5:11), but He will still judge us (James 4:12).
If we sin, we are not without hope. Peter wrote, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). We can make corrections in our lives and be reconciled to the Lord.
However, if we continue in sin, God will hold us accountable. Not only that, but we will deserve the punishment that we receive. The Hebrew writer warned, “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27). When we “appear before the judgment seat of Christ,” we will be judged “according to what [we] have done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Knowing this, we need to prepare for judgment by faithfully carrying out the Lord’s will.
Conclusion
We are all in need of God’s mercy. As He has extended His mercy to us, we should do the same for others. Yet we will still be judged by God’s standard. Therefore, we must conform our lives to it and encourage others to do the same.
