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By: Michael Tao
"Judge not, that ye be not judged..."
When this verse appears at the beginning of Matthew 7, it gives an impression that Bible discourages us to make a judgment on anything or anyone. However we need to continue with the rest of the portion to get the complete meaning. Matthew 7: 2 - 6 says, "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."
Matthew 7 teaches a basic rule in judging, which is the standard used for others, should be the standard we use to judge ourselves. We must be ready for this before we judge. Human nature tend to magnify other's fault, yet overlook his own, and this is hypocritical. We have to judge ourselves and repent first, so that we can judge impartially. Matthew 7 does not forbid us to judge, but emphasizes on judging impartially. A hypocrite should not judge, because he has a bias. When a hypocrite judges, his judgment will fall upon himself. There are places in the Bible teaching God's judgment upon the hypocrites.
Romans 2 teaches that the hypocrites will not escape the judgment from God, verse 1 to 3 says, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?"
The scribes and Pharisees were using double standards in judging, Matthew 23: 1-4 says, "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers".
Hypocrites judge after flesh, they show themselves off by criticizing others' minor faults, yet ignoring their own sins, in John 8:15, Christ said to the Pharisees, "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am no alone, but I and the Father that sent me..."
The renown record of Nathan telling King David "Thou art the man" (2 Samuel 12:7), David was the wicked man that had exceeding herds and flocks, yet robbed the only lamb from a poor family. He was completely blind to his own sin, and later received his own reaping.
In fact, Bible teaches us to exercise judgment, following are some of the evidences.
Jesus Christ judged, John 8: 26 says, "I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him". Jesus' judgment also comes from God the Father (John 8:16).
Jesus praised Peter that he judged correctly, Luke 7: 43 says, "Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged."
Paul judged. First Corinthians 5:3 says, "For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed."
Paul, in the Book of First Timothy, asked all pastors to judge the rebellious member and false science, 5:20 says, "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear"; in 6:20 it says, "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called."
In planting churches, 2 Timothy 2:2 says, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also". It certainly takes sound judgment to discern Paul's teachings, and to find the qualified men.
God's Word is our reference to examine our and others' lives, to test the doctrines, to achieve spiritual maturity and readiness for his service, 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works".
Paul also asked churches to judge, 1 Corinthians 1:10 says, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment".
Knowing all the problems in Corinthians church, Paul still assured that it had the ability to judge, 1 Corinthians 6:2-5 says, "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?"
Paul said that Christians judge all things because of their spirituality, 1 Corinthians 2:15,16 says, "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man...But we have the mind of Christ". Christians are hidden in God, so that no one can condemn them; because they are redeemed and fully protected. However through their spirituality and the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are equiped with the ability to judge, or examine, or to form an opinion upon all things. A five year old Christian boy can have far more useful and acceptable wisdom, than all of his unsaved teachers and principal added together. It is the divine wisdom and the heart to please God that count, not the person.
We are expected to improve in the ability to judge as we continue to walk with Christ, Philippians 1:9 says, "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment."
Proverbs teaches the joy of righteous judgment, 21:15 says, "It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity." And also Proverbs 13: 23 says,"" Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment."
Psalms 106 teaches the happiness of keeping righteous judgment, verse 3 says, "Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times."
In the Bible, there are expressions such as "beware of", "see", "take heed", "hold fast", "believe him not", "receive him not", "let no man deceive you", "for the truth's sake", "we command you", "we beseech you", "we exhort you", "I charge thee", "lest", these all demand a conscious and cautious judgment to identify a situation and to execute that particular instruction. Here are many examples in the Bible.
Matthew 5: 17, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
Matthew 7: 15-16, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"
Matthew 16: 6, "Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."
Matthew 18:10, "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 21:25, "The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?"
Mark 2: 9, "Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?"
Mark 8:29, " And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?"
Mark 13:21-23, "And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things."
Mark 3:4, "And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?"
Luke 17:3, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."
Luke 21:34, "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."
John 6: 32, "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven."
John 6: 67, "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? "
John 9: 35, "Jesus ... said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?"
John 10: 34, "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
Romans 12:1,2, "I beseech you therefore...And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,..."
1 Corinthians 4:1, "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God."
1 Corinthians 5:11-13, "... For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
1 Corinthians 10:15, "I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say."
1Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 11:13 "Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?"
1 Corinthians 11:28, "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."
1 Corinthians 14:20, "Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men."
2 Corinthians 4:1,2, "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."
2 Corinthians 6:14-18, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; ..., saith the Lord Almighty."
2 Corinthians 7:9, "Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing."
2 Corinthians 8:7, "Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also."
2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves..."
Galatians 1: 9, "... If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
Galatians 2:14, "But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?"
Galatians 6:1, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
Ephesians 4:14, "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."
Ephesians 5:10, "Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord."
Ephesians 6:13, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
Philippians 1:28, "And in nothing terrified by your adversaries..."
Philippians 3:2, "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision."
Philippians 3:15, "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Colossians 2:4 "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words."
Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
1 Thessalonians 5:14, "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men."
1 Thessalonians 5:21, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."
2 Thessalonians 2: 1-3, "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition."
2 Thessalonians 3:6, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."
1 Timothy 3:2-16, "A bishop then must be blameless...Let the deacons be the husband of one wife,ruling their children and their own houses well..."
1 Timothy 4:16, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them..."
1 Timothy 5:21, "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality."
2 Timothy 1:13, "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
2 Timothy 2:7, "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things."
2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
2 Timothy 2:22, "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
Titus 1:9, "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught..."
Titus 2:1, "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine."
Titus 2: 7, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity."
Titus 3:9, "But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain."
Titus 3:10 "A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject."
Hebrews 5:14, "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
Hebrews 13:9, "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines."
James 1:26, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."
1 Peter 3:11, "Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it."
2 Peter 3:17,18, "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."
2 Peter 3:17,18, "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness."
1 John 3: 7,8a "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil..."
1 John 4: 1, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
1 John 4: 20, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"
1 John 5:16, "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it."
2 John 1:10, "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed."
Jude 3, .".. it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."
Revelation 1:3, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand."
Paul named those who had put away their faith, so that other churches could be aware of them; he clearly placed a judgment on them.
First Timothy 1:20, "Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme."
Second Timothy 4:10, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia."
2 Timothy 1:15, "This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes."
2 Timothy 2:16-18, "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some."
1. Start the judgment from oneself.
We have touched Romans 2:1-3, Psalms 50:16 says, "But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?" First Corinthians 11:31 says, " For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." When we repent from the sin before God's judgment, we will not be judged, or chastened by God.
First John 3:21 says, "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God", this is the standard that every child of God should strive fto follow. When a Christian reaches this stage, then he can say whatever Paul has said in 1 Corinthians 4: 3-4, "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord". Paul slighted the judgment from the Corinthians, because he had a clear conscience toward God, so he did not judge himself, nor find himself guilty. He again said, "yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord", he did not proudly announce that he was infallible or beyond judgement, but he had done the best he could in self-examination. The next thing to wait for is the judgment from God.
2. Judgment should not be carried out in an angry manner.
James 1: 19,20, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."
3. Judgment should not be carried out in a haste manner.
Proverbs 29: 11, "A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards".
4. Judgment should not be carried out in a superficial manner.
John 7: 24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment".
Do not judge to appeal to our flesh and our emotion; we must return to the spiritual reign to make sound judgment.
5. Judgment should not be carried out with a selfish motive.
James 2:4, "Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?"
6. Judgment should not be carried out in a self-righteousness manner.
Luke 6: 37 says, "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:"
It is easy to fall in the trap of pride when seeing others fall, so we criticize bitterly, and sentence their penalty. To judge is an act of Love, when we judge a brother or sister in our church, we want to see he or her repent. The purpose of church discipline is to see this member return to God, so that the church can be purified. It is not a time to show off our hatred nor is it a time to revenge. We hate sin and are eager to see that person repent.
Romans 14: 3,4 says, "Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand".
This portion of the Bible tells us that certain Christians worship God by following a set of rules as a form of piety, and not a way for salvation, they should not be judged.
7. Judgment should not be carried out for revenges.
Hebrews 12:15, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;"
8. Judgment should not be carried out of jealousy.
James 3: 14, "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth".
9. Judgment should not be carried out by speaking evil of others.
James 4:11-12, "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" And Titus 3:2, "To speak evil of no man."
In dealing with someone's fault, we need to bring our judgment to that person on an one on one basis(Matthew 18:15, Proverbs 25:9). Do not spread the rumor, and ruin his reputation. It is God that abase a man; we should not play God.
10. Judgment should not be carried out by not seeing God's sovereignty.
1 Corinthians 4:5 says, "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."
For untruthful judgements that are against us, we need to leave them in the hands of our Lord, and He is able to deliver us.
To make a sound judgment is not difficult, when the Bible is deemed as the only authority, and when all the evidences are obvious, 1 Corinthians 6:4 says, "If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church".
11. If someone has judged us unjustly, if he repents, God wants us to forgive him.
Luke 6: 37-41 says, "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you..."
Luke 17: 3 says, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him". The prequisite of forgiving is the repentance of the transgressor, judgment is also to seek the repentance of the transgressor. If the transgressor is a Christian, and he refuses to repent, then church discipline in Matthew 18 should be followed. If he is not a Christian, and the situation is serious, Bible gives us permission to resolve it legitimately, and Proverbs 3: 30 says, "Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm."
12. When facing heresies, false religions, cults, false science, evil thoughts, false prophets, false teachers; we need to judge them without fear, fight them like a man. We need to expose their wickedness to the world. Paul and other disciples exposed their errors in the Bible.
13. Love limits liberty
1 Corinthians 8: 9 says, "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak", Romans 14:13-15 says, "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died". When a Christian's behavior is taken as offensive by another brother in Christian, then the former should stop his behavior. The Bible uses eating the meat that has been offered to idols as an example.
14. Do not occupy ourselves in judging things for the unsaved.
In Luke 12, when a man came to Jesus and asked Him to speak to his brother, so that he would divide the inheritance, but Jesus said unto him, "Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?" How true it is! If you are a Christian and faithful to God and his Word, you probably can make biblical judgment, and do not need any judge or divider. At the time of Christ, many people followed Jesus with a wrong motive; can you imagine if Jesus started to play the role of a divider? It is extremely time and energy consuming to judge for the spiritually dead, Satan likes to see us get entangled with this kind of judgment. It is practically impossible to judge for the unshaved, you can hardly get all the facts, and you can hardly satisfy them anyway.
First Corinthians 5:12,13 also says, "For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." Our primary responsibility for the unsaved is to give them the gospel, and separate from them.
15. The unsaved need to make their own life judgment.
Luke 12: 54-59 says, "And he(Jesus) said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite."
After seeing all the miracles and hearing all the teachings from Jesus, if the unsaved were able to make a sound judgment, it should have been the acknowledgment of Jesus as Son of God, and accepting Him as their Saviour. Today the unsaved also need to make their life judgment whether they would accept Christ as their Saviour, or to remain spiritually discerned (1Corinthians 2:14).
Conclusion
Bible does not prohibit Christians to exercise judgment, but there are ways to follow. When all the facts and evidences are obvious, it is easy to judge. The difficult part is to self-examine by using an impartial standard. Matthew 7 in fact rebukes improper judgment, lay the foundation in judging; and by no means prohibits it.
A previous article in 7000MEN -- "Church Discipline" can be a useful reference.
