udging Robert Meredith What does the phrase, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” mean as found in Matthew 7:1? Often times one might hear someone say, “You can not judge me!”, and refer to Matthew 7:1 in an attempt to stop someone from condemning some sin in their own life. Let us look further into what the Bible teaches concerning judging. All Bible students should realize that the scriptures do not contradict themselves. If one draws a conclusion from one passage which contradicts another passage, then somewhere a wrong conclusion has been drawn. If one concludes that Matthew 7:1 condemns all judging, then he has drawn a false conclusion, because he is faced with a host of passages which show otherwise. Jesus would later say, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Also He said, “Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?” (Luke 12:57). Clearly Jesus is not condemning all judgment because He instructs us to judge righteously. A congregation of God’s people could not practice church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:3-5; Matthew 18:15-17), without making a judgment that the one being disciplined is in sin. Furthermore, the Apostle Paul commands the church to mark and avoid false teachers (Romans 16:17). A judgment has to be made if one is teaching truth or not. Even in Matthew 7, one can learn that Jesus did not condemn all judging because in verses 15-16 Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets...ye shall know them by their fruits.” Obviously, Jesus expects Christians to judge what is being taught by the Word of God. Therefore, not all judging is condemned. Righteous judgment is not condemned, but unrighteous judgment is. Righteous judgment is based on God’s Word (Psalm 119:172); unrighteous is based on anything else. Matthew 7:1 would certainly condemn anyone who would set himself up as the standard of authority rather than God. Likewise, those who want to have their way in matters of opinion would be condemned (Romans 14:13). Some will judge hypocritically. They will condemn others for some “small” problem when they have a much “larger” one (Notice Jesus’ comments in Matthew 7:3-5). This is the context of His Matthew 7:1 statement. One should never set himself up as the rule of authority and condemn others because they do not meet his expectations. God warns us, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy” (James 2:13). One should never attempt to judge another’s heart (motive), for only God can do that. Let us follow Christ’s admonition and allow His word (Matthew 7:15-16; John 7:24; Luke 12:57; John 12:48) to be our rule and guide, and not our own wants (Isaiah 55:8-9; Jeremiah 10:23).
Posted on: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 03:06:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015