Judge Not?

The following was taken from an article from American Vision by Gary DeMar

“It’s been said that the most frequently quoted Bible verse is no longer John 3:16 but Matthew 7:1: ‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged.’” Actually, it’s the most quoted out-of-context verse in the Bible: We cannot glibly quote this, though, without understanding what Jesus meant. When Jesus condemned judging, he wasn’t at all implying we should never make judgments about anyone. After all, a few verses later, Jesus himself calls certain people “pigs” and “dogs” (Matt. 7:6) and “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (7:15)! Any act of church discipline (1 Cor. 5:5) and rebuking false prophets (1 John 4:1) requires judgment. Jesus said “Do not judge lest you be judged” (Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37). But He also said, “Judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24; see Deut. 16:18). These are not contradictory statements since the context of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1 tells us what He means by “not judging” and what it means to judge with “righteous judgment.” Jesus was condemning those who judge using two standards of morality, one standard for the judge and another for the accused. You know, like politicians who created a healthcare bill that requires everyone to participate but exempts them. The Bible maintains—in both the Old and New Testaments—that the standard of judgment must be equal for both parties (Num. 15:16). “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it shall be measured to you” (Matt. 7:2). God doesn’t take verses out of context."

This section of his entire article struck a chord with me. I have recently been wrestling with my own judgmental nature and I have felt convicted, rightly so, of my pious attitude many, many times. However, to judge with righteous judgment, the sins of those who unabashedly reject the truth of Christ is not condemned by God. God Himself is the ultimate judge of all. No doubt. However, to make a statement that certain behaviors and or attitudes (i.e. immorality, hatred, etc.) are wrong and worthy of death is not judgmental. Nor is it a sin. To speak the truth is a commandment that all God's children must follow. God uses us and our lives and words as examples to others in order to facilitate a relationship, a drawing of them, to Him. To evaluate what should be avoided both in our lives and in other's is to appropriately use the wisdom and instruction given us by God.

Most of the time, I believe when others refer to Matthew 7:1 they are using it as a cop-out. They are trying not to offend others under the guise of being non-judgmental. But as DeMar points out above, Matthew 7:1 highlights our tendency to live hypocritical lives and God is shining a spotlight on that. This, in no way, takes away from the truth of the Scriptures and of God's law. Certain behaviors and actions are bad. They are sinful. God has already judged us all and we are all depraved, lost souls. Only through His grace and His sacrifice of Christ are we made new and are our convictions overturned.

I, for one, would much rather err on the side of offending others with God's Word than to offend God by squelching His commandments. His message. His truth. I have lived my life as Peter for far too long. With the Lord's help I will no longer doubt & I will no longer deny. Who better to teach others than one of their own...a sinner saved by grace?

Proclaim the truth. Shout it from the rooftops. State the facts as they are presented in the Gospel. If that offends then so be it. The offense is not mine. The offended will eventually address their concerns with God. Whether they want to or not.

American Vision