LIE: I should not judge

Lie:      I should not judge.

Truth: We should judge rightly.

It’s true that Jesus said:

Judge not, that ye be not judged . . .  — Matthew 7:1

But let’s make sure we understand what Jesus meant because he also said:

. . . judge righteous judgment. — John 7:24

To judge or not to judge, that is the question. This is such a basic and important dilemma that it requires a careful answer. The word judge has a rich and varied meaning that we must parse carefully and discern its use in context. The most common Greek word translated to judge in the New Testament is krino, which means to choose, determine and judge. It is used in the two passages above that appear to be contradictory (though, as we will see, they are not).

‘To judge or . . .

If we examine carefully we’ll see that the same point is actually made in both passages, but one from a positive and the other from a negative point of view:

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 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? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. — Matthew 7:1–5

Based on the complete passage, Jesus is warning us not to be hypocritically critical. When we presume to be right, and that we’re, ‘of course,’ not doing anything wrong, approaching people from a position of superiority, presuming the right to point out someone’s flaws, yet we ourselves reserving to be unapproachable, then we’re violating Jesus’ command not to judge. This is the attitude and posture of judging that he’s talking about. He rather counsels us to be humble, removing the log in our own eye!

The fact is, of course, we can be wrong, we do have problems of our own, we can cause irritations and influence people to sin. We need to be aware of the wrong attitudes and sins in our own life. The irony is that it’s our admission of those failures that properly qualifies us to approach our brother and point out his failure.

Notice too where the planks and specks are located — in the eye. Sin clouds our vision and triggers us to judge based on just that – appearances. So this passage is also about prejudice, judging based on appearances or rash prejudicial judgment.

. . . or not to judge’

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. — John 7:24

In this passage Jesus reasons with the religious leaders saying that, since they circumcise on the Sabbath, which also equates to work on the Sabbath, why is it that healing a man on the Sabbath is unacceptable? It doesn’t make sense. Jesus is saying, ‘be consistent; make a reasoned judgment; do not make a judgment based on accepted social conventions.’ We must simply ask the question: ‘what is right?’ not ‘what is politically correct given my circle of friends’ expectations?’

The fact is, life constantly calls us to make judgments, resolutions, decisions. And many times those decisions require us to discern someone’s character. But simply declining or delaying a decision, is ultimately a decision by default. We cannot not decide; consequently, we make too many passive decisions for fear of judging or being perceived as being ‘judgmental.’

But the choice to judge, that is, properly discerning someone’s character is exactly what we should be doing. We should be judging because, to be able to help someone, truly help, we must rightly see their character by appropriately going deeper to see what’s really going on. When we have removed the plank from our own eye, we can properly see to help. Not ‘judging’ is simply an abdication of our rightful duty as a friend, brother, sister, father or mother.

Paul says it this way:

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. — Galatians 6:1–2

Proper judgment is not a trivial process; it requires prayer, careful introspection of our own lives and the humility to admit that we could be in the same boat, were it not for the grace of God. But what often happens is that we do one of two things or both:

One: we do nothing, either because we’re afraid to judge, blinded by social conventions, or we’re afraid of rejection or feel unworthy. That said, many times we should do nothing but pray, either because we simply need to forbear and forgive or because it would be inappropriate given our current relationship.

Or two: we non-compassionately write people off, effectively dooming them to their offense. We do this because we’re offended with their offensive character trait, which they likely have little awareness of. Too often we size someone up and say, ‘he’s so boring or intense or controlling or ____’ or ‘she’s just too emotional or two-faced or depressing,’ (you get the idea). And we do this without an ounce of compassion or care. But imagine the horror if you discovered your friend saying or thinking this of you. No, God reserves this final judgment for himself, and only at the Last Day. If God himself is patient and refrains himself from condemnation and rejection, still holding out salvation to us, then who are we to do otherwise?

See also the introduction, Lies attacking our relationships to others.