Judge not, that you be not judged.
Matthew 7:1 (NKJV)
I’ve heard so many say that we’re not supposed to judge. If we state anything about who we think someone is then the finger is turned on us in a most condemning light: you are judging. I think a lot of people take it from this verse; they stop here mentally while reading, even when their eyes keep going. At one point, I would have as well. However, I’ve learned context is essential. Let’s keep reading?
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.
Matthew 7:1-2 (NKJV)
Aha! Jesus is not telling us that we’re not supposed to judge! Did anyone catch that in these verses? “With what judgment you judge, you will be judged;” So how we judge is going to determine if it’s right or not.
Before Jesus explains how we are supposed to judge, He points out that we have to clear out our own heart first.
Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother's eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye?
Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother's eye.
Matthew 7:3-5 (AMP)
You see? We cannot judge rightly what we see in anyone else’s life, when our own hearts have things we ought to be convicted on. God is not all about the high and mighty men who walk around pointing out the faults in everyone when they have indwelling sin to take care of. God is all about the humble.
When our hearts are right before God, we can then look upon others, already being humbled, to watch that they are living according to how they say that are. If they aren’t then we know they need prayer and we shouldn’t pay much heed to the instruction they give.
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. … Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Matthew 7:16-18, 20 (NKJV)
Jesus actually wants us to judge rightly what’s going on. If all that we rely on is someone’s anointing or the gifts of the Spirit they have then we’re going to find ourselves terribly lost. Why? If it was given by God then the person must be right before Him? No.
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:29 (NASB)
This means that someone can be totally on fire for God and hungry for Him and He will give them the gifts of their heart to further His ministry, then they can slip into sin and be having an affair and letting people tattoo their body… and still have the gifts that He’s given them.
When someone lays their hand on someone else and says “Be healed in the name of Jesus!” and they are healed, it is not because that person is living right, but because God has put Himself in the place to ACT whenever His name is used.
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.”
Matthew 7:21-23 (NASB)
This means just because someone goes to church every Sunday and bible groups on Wednesdays doesn’t mean they have it all together. If someone is not following God’s laws then they will not be entering the kingdom of heaven; regardless of how many demons they cast out, or miracles they perform in His name. If their lifestyle does not fit how God has called His children to live out and if they do not get passionate about this relationship with Jesus then they aren’t going to heaven. Passionate about this relationship... When Jesus says “I never knew you;” (Matthew 7:23) the word “knew” here is very intimate. It’s the same word used when Adam and Eve had sexual relations with each other. If we’re not serious about this relationship with Christ (our bridegroom) now, then it is time to get serious.
What does this all mean though? It means we’re not supposed to follow blindly! He has warned us about the wolves amongst us.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 7:17 (NKJV)
If we aren’t listening to Holy Spirit and making sound judgments based on the character (the fruit) of those around us, we might as well be following a wolf! Do you think a wolf is concerned with keeping the sheep safe? No, all that the wolf cares about is making that sheep his next meal.
When people point fingers and say we’re judging they mean that we’re analyzing someone and in our hearts condemning them. Here are some definitions of judgment:
1. decision of judge- the decision reached by one or more judges in a contest
2. decision on disputed matter- an opinion formed or a decision reached in the case of a disputed, controversial, or doubtful matter
3. judging of something- the judging of a case or a contest
Synonyms- ruling, decision, finding, verdict, sentence, conclusion, result, decree…
We can look at the fruit of people’s lives, actions, and lifestyles and by the pure plumb-line of the Word of God to see whether or not they are born again and living according to the standards of God's holy Word, this is fine to do and Biblical. What is not okay is to condemn someone; throwing a judge's sentence upon them and to pretend to know what's truly in their hearts. The Word tells us that we don't even truly know our own hearts, but only the Holy Spirit of God does (Jeremiah 17:9; Rev. 2:23)-which is a very humbling and fearful thought! We are to judge the fruits and to pray for the person instead of pushing them down with condemning sentences of judgment. And, if opportunity allows and depending on our relationship with the person, to show them the truth in love but also in boldness of the Holy Spirit while offering a helping hand to help them get the particle out of their eye so they can see clearly to judge themselves. Moreover, we must pray about why we are judging a person and our motives. God knows the heart.
In addition, we must be very careful and discerning about what spiritual material we listen to, read, and also the Christian leaders we follow. Do you know their lives? Have you judged their fruit before you eat off of the same tree? Remember the words of the Messiah "See to it that no one misleads you" (Matthew 24:4). When Jesus said these words we find that in the Greek this phrase is an imperative command, not a suggestion! We are to be on our guard lest we be led into deception and error by men and women who portray themselves as servants of God yet inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15).
We are permitted and encouraged to judge! However, make sure the way you judge is according to the instructions of the Word of God!
“Jesus didn’t tell us not to judge, but to get it out of our eye so we can judge rightly.” -Scott Holtz
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