Judge Not

Matthew 7:1: Judge not, that you be not judged.

Is Jesus teaching here that we should be non-judgmental—i.e. that we should not judge anyone? If so, does this mean we should not have police officers, or a justicial system or prisons, because no one is supposed to judge anyone? Is this what Jesus is teaching?

Tolerance. Our society is currently run on a policy of tolerance. We're supposed to be inclusive no matter what the lifestyle or cultural or religious ideology a person may have. We're supposed to accept, respect, and appreciate everyone for who they are and what they believe. And, if not, be prepared to be called a disgraceful person, an intolerant bigot.

In 1996, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 51/95 proclaiming November 16 as International Day for Tolerance. Tolerance recognizes the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. People are naturally diverse; only tolerance can ensure the survival of mixed communities in every region of the globe. Tolerance is now a universal policy.

Tolerance paradox. There is, however, a problem with the tolerance agenda. The problem is actually a paradox. We've known about this paradox for thousands of years. Even before Christ, Plato (in his apologia) wrote about it. Others have warned about it through the centuries. The paradox is that tolerance leads to intolerance. The more tolerant a society becomes, the more intolerant it gets. We don't need proof of this, we see it all around us. Lots of examples. Just look at the protected groups in our society. You are in a protected group if it's based on race, color, creed, gender (male or female), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age (senior citizen), physical disability, mental disability, and veteran status. Do you see a problem with this?

The problem is that it fragments society. We all end up belonging to a group or several groups that competes with the other groups. Then, out of self-interest, we protect our turf by demanding our rights. We make laws protecting our group over and against the other groups. It's my rights over your rights every day of the week. The tolerant become intolerant out of self-interest. And so, the more the tolerance agenda is pushed, the worse off we become.

Is this what Jesus was teaching—tolerance and inclusiveness? If so, then history tells us, and our own experience tells us, that it does not work. But this is not what Jesus was teaching. This was not his message. His message was not tolerance, but accountability.

Rake not. The Bible is not meant to be read superficially. We are not to simply scratch the surface when we read the Bible. We are meant to dig. If you want to discover gold in the ground, you do not use a rake, you use a shovel and a pick and earth moving equipment if you have access to it. A careless, superficial reading of the Bible is unprofitable.

• 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV): Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
• Proverbs 2:4: if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

Reject (or resist) not. Also, the Bible is not meant for un-believers. We know that Jesus taught in parables. Why did he teach in parables? There are many reasons. The main one is told by Jesus himself. Jesus taught in parables not to explain spiritual truths to the crowds, but to keep spiritual truths from the crowds.

Matthew 13:10-15: Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 15 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’

Spiritual truths are meant to be understood by the mind and accepted in the heart. If you are not willing to be changed in heart, then you will not see and you will not hear what God is telling you. The Bible simply becomes a book of fables.

Illustration. In a secular university at the beginning of one semester, a teacher asked if there were any Christians in his classroom to please stand up. And two brave students stood up, not knowing what was going to happen. Then he began to explain how he was going to show in his class how the Bible was a mythical book, full of fables and inaccuracies, and that it would be silly and foolish to believe in it. Then one of the two students spoke up and said, "Sir, the Bible is God's love letter to Christians. That's what you get for reading someone else's mail."

Spiritual truths are meant for believers, those willing to have a personal relationship with God. It is then when you will understand and believe.

Mis-represent not. Matthew 7;1 is, then, meant for believers, not un-believers. What is this verse telling believers? When analyzing any Bible verse, we should determine the following:

1. Its vocabulary. Not only the English meaning of the words used, but more importantly the original language meaning.
2. Its (immediate) context. The verse in the context of its surrounding verses.
3. Its greater meaning. What is the message of the chapter or chapters in which this verse is found.

When it comes to Matthew 7:1, the (immediate) context should include the four verses that follow.

Matthew 7:1-5 (RSV): Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Be not a hypocrite. We see here that this passage is addressed to hypocrites. It is a message to hypocrites. Any hypocrites in this church? Listen up, this message is for you! Another passage which is helpful here is:

Romans 2:1: Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.

Before you judge anyone, judge yourself first. Do a self-examination. It may be that you are doing the same things. Examine your own heart. Examine your motives. When this is done, you will be able to judge with equanimity. As John says,

John 7:24: Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right [Or just] judgment.

The vocabulary and immediate context suggest, then, that this command is being addressed to hypocrites—judges who are not judging righteously. They have not examined their own hearts first and are therefore not judging with equanimity. It's a scale that is not in balance.

Report not. The Bible also speaks of another form of judgment that is an underhanded, "behind the scenes" form of judgment. It is the judgment of a "whisperer." We find this in Proverbs,

Proverbs 18:8 (ESV): The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

A whisperer is a "gossiper,"a "rumormonger." We love to listen to the words of a whisperer. Why? Because we love to think we are better than others. By diminishing the lives of others, we justify our own superiority. A whisperer understands this and gathers people around him who have this need of justifying their superiority. We can call it the whisperer club. They get together and do what they do best. "Oh, did you hear about so and so?" "Isn't that something!" "My, my, how shameful!" And the listeners just soak it up. The whisperings of a whisperer can spread like wildfire.

The whisperer is a judge, working behind the scenes, in the shadows. Diminishing the reputation of others through whisperings. The apostle Paul classifies whisperers (in Romans 1:29) among the most evil of people. They destroy the reputation of others. They destroy relationships. They go as far as destroying entire churches through gossip and rumors and false testimony. James tells us that the words of a whisperer are a deadly poison.

James 3:2-10 (Phillips): We all make mistakes in all kinds of ways, but the man who can claim that he never says the wrong thing can consider himself perfect, for if he can control his tongue he can control every other part of his personality! Men control the movements of a large animal like the horse with a tiny bit placed in its mouth. Ships too, for all their size and the momentum they have with a strong wind behind them, are controlled by a very small rudder according to the course chosen by the helmsman pilot. The human tongue is physically small, but what tremendous effects it can boast of! A whole forest can be set ablaze by a tiny spark of fire, and the tongue is as dangerous as any fire, with vast potentialities for evil. It can poison the whole body, it can make the whole of life a blazing hell. 7-10 Beasts, birds, reptiles and all kinds of sea-creatures fish can be, and in fact are, tamed by man, but no one can tame the human tongue. It is an evil always liable to break out, and the poison it spreads is deadly. We use the tongue to bless our Father, God, and we use the same tongue to curse our fellow-men, who are all created in God’s likeness. Blessing and curses come out of the same mouth—surely, my brothers, this is the sort of thing that never ought to happen!

The Remedy. What is the remedy? How can we deal with this deadly poison, this blazing fire? The remedy begins by understanding that Christians are supposed to be building each other up, not tearing each other down. We should be asking the question, "What am I doing to help improve the lives of my brothers and sisters?" How am I helping them to become better people? And by better, the goal should be lofty, "until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). To be like Christ in character; the loftiest of standards. To be conformed to the image of His Son.

Luke 6:40 (NLT) Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

Consider that the goal. To be a student fully trained so that you can be like the Great Teacher. The problem we have is that we compare ourselves to one another and not to the standard. We are looking at each other and not looking up.

2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

Repairer of the breach. We should become a rebuilder, a repairer of the breach, to raise up the foundations of many generations. Isaiah speaks of the true work of the man of God.

• Isaiah 58:1: Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; Declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins.
• Isaiah 58:6: Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
• Isaiah 58:12: And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.

Kingdom of heaven. There is a greater message here, the message of the Sermon on the Mount in which this verse is found. This message is introduced in Matthew chapter 4.

Matthew 4:17, 'From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”'

Jesus was a preacher. In the Book of Matthew we have five of his sermons. He begins his ministry by preaching this first sermon message, "the kingdom of heaven is at hand," the kingdom of heaven has arrived! And proceeds to detail the principles of this kingdom of heaven. In this sermon we are given a deeper understanding of the Law and the Prophets. We learn that God does not want a superficial change in behavior (an outward keeping of the law), but a change in heart (i.e. the law written in the heart and mind). The kingdom of heaven is a matter of the heart. And in this kingdom, the Father is the judge. Notice the references of the kingdom of heaven, of the Father and of the judgment to come.

• The Beautitudes. Matthew 5:3-12.
• Matthew 5:48: You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
• Matthew 6:1: Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
• Matthew 6:14-15: For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
• Matthew 7:21: Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Relational kingdom. We learn that this kingdom of heaven is a relational kingdom, based on love and truth and freedom.

Matthew 5:43-48: You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

If you would be "perfect", you will love others, but not just your own. For if you just love your own, you are no better than the pagans. Love the unlovely. Love your enemies. Love those who hate you and persecute you and despitefully use you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For the Father makes the sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. God shows mercy to the righteous and the wicked. We should do the same.

Final judgment. There is a greater message yet, greater than the message of the Sermon on the Mount. It is the message of the Final Judgment. The vindication of God Himself. You see, in the final judgment, not only will God judge, but also God will be judged. It will be the time when Satan's accusations against God will finally be settled. And who will be the judges? We will!

• 1 Corinthians 6:3 (ESV): Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
• Revelation 20:4a: Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed.

This authority is committed to Jesus and the saints. This is how Ellen G. White puts it:

EW 290.3: Then I saw thrones, and Jesus and the redeemed saints sat upon them; and the saints reigned as kings and priests unto God. Christ, in union with His people, judged the wicked dead, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Word of God, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body.

This judicial process will occur in the millenium and at the end of the millenium the execution of the judgment occurs. But before the saints can judge, the saints themselves will be judged!

1 Peter 4:17-18: For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Wait a minute! The Bible is telling us that we will be the ultimate judges of the wicked. That's right. We will judge the world.

1 Corinthians 6:2: Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

Let me make something clear. It is God who searches the hearts and minds of all, and determines who will enter heaven or not. But it is Jesus with the saints who validate the judgment of God. Effectively, by judging the wicked, we are validating God's decision. That God was indeed just and true.

Revelation 15:2-4: And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. 3 And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the ages! 4 Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, For your righteous acts have been revealed.”

So, to my fellow judges, who will one day judge the world, here are a few suggestions on how you ought to judge:

1. Judge yourself first. For judgment begins at the household of God. That is, judgment begins with you!
2. Judge with mercy. James 2:13: For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
3. Judge rightly, not by appearances. John 7:14.
4. Judge redemptively. Matthew 18:15-20. It is for the purpose of restoring a brother in the faith.
5. Judge directly, not underhandedly. Don't go behind someone's back and diminish his reputation through whisperings. The Bible tells us that this is a great evil. You will sin when you whisper and rumor and gossip.

Christian love. We are to help one another in this life. As Peter says (1 Peter 4:18), the righteous are scarcely saved. We need all the help we can get. If there is to be a fire in this church, let it be the consuming fire of love, not wishing that any should perish, but that all come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). The consuming fire of love will burn the beam that is in your own eye and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Miscellaneous

Notes

• Hypocrisy. Our hypocrisy in these matters is almost always more evident to others than to ourselves. We may find a way to ignore the plank in our own eye, but others notice it immediately. A good example of this kind of hypocrisy was David’s reaction to Nathan’s story about a man who unjustly stole and killed another man’s lamb. David quickly condemned the man, but was blind to his own sin, which was much greater (2 Samuel 12).
• Discernment. "dogs" and "pigs." The truth is that fallen flesh is by nature critical and condemning.
• He is saying cease judging others with a spirit which is censorious, carping (marked by or inclined to querulous and often perverse criticism), caviling (raising annoying, petty, trivial and/or frivolous objections), condemnatory, critical, disapproving, disparaging, fault-finding, hypercritical, scathing or severe. Why? For such judgment is harsh, self-righteous, lacking in mercy and short on love. Unfortunately the church of Jesus Christ is far from immune and as someone has quipped a few in the church even think their critical spirit is their spiritual gift! They euphemistically call it a "spirit of discernment"!
• Be patient with the faults of others. They have to be patient with yours!

Helpful links

• Word Study: Judge and Judgment (in PDF). Matthew 7:1-2, "Judge not that you be not judged..." Deep dive on krino (To Judge), anakrino (To Examine Carefully), diakrino (To Judge Between), katakrino (To Condemn), krisis (Judgment), diakrisis (Discernment), katakrisis ( Condemnation), krima (Judgment), katakrima (Condemnation), katadikazo (Condemn), and dokimazo (To Prove).