Judge Not

Matthew 7:1-5—Judge Self, Not Others

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.—Romans 2:1

Brian Montague

God’s word generally is in opposition to the ways and desires of fallen mankind, although the following Scriptural admonition is one with which the human family may well agree: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matthew 7:1,2).

The word judge comes from the Greek word krino (Strong’s #2919). It means to decide mentally or judicially, to condemn, punish or call into question. This word krino was used by our Lord with respect to the future honor of judgment to be given to the apostles (Matthew 19:28). The present use of individual judgment by Christians to condemn others should be avoided because of our imperfect reasoning faculties, and our inability to read the heart of another.

How might we pass judgment upon others and not know we are doing so? Do we form opinions about them based upon their physical appearance, dress, where they live, or because of some apparent disability? In the case of our Christian brethren, do we judge them based upon those with whom they associate, what we think they believe or based upon what someone else has told us without their having made such a public declaration? Have we mentally determined the ultimate final reward of any Christian believer?

Lesson from the Old Testament

Samuel was Israel’s last judge because the people demanded a king be appointed to rule them as kings ruled other nations. Ultimately God consented to this request, but with the warning that the Israelites would have trouble under that arrangement. Thus we can see that human judgments are always inferior to God’s judgments (Isaiah 55:8,9).

Kish was an influential man from the tribe of Benjamin who had a son named Saul, of whom it was said “there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people” (1 Samuel 9:1,2, NASB). After Saul was selected as Israel’s first king, the people were ecstatic about the choice because they knew that Saul came from a wealthy and influential family and that he was visually appealing. The nation of Israel judged Saul to be an acceptable monarch based upon his external appearance (1 Samuel 10:24). Similarly, if we reach conclusions about others merely based upon how they appeal to our sight, as the Israelites did, our conclusions may prove to be short-sighted.

Eventually God told Samuel that he would need to appoint a new king to rule over the Israelites because of Saul’s unfaithfulness. God directed Samuel to find this king from among the sons of a man named Jesse in Bethlehem. The first son Samuel looked at was Eliab and Samuel was sure he was the Lord’s choice. “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart’ ” (1 Samuel 16:7, NASB).

God sees us from the standpoint of our will, not our flesh (Romans 8:8). If we pass judgment upon others by focusing on their fleshly blemishes, or based upon meeting our mental perception of acceptability, the more we will become susceptible to confusion. We see this with the Pharisees who were deriding our Lord for receiving publicans and sinners. “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15).

In the case of the church, James provides a warning with respect to passing judgment on brethren based upon outside appearance. There was partiality in the early church regarding the assignment of seats in the congregation based upon how certain members were adorned. James speaks out against this: “Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” (James 2:4). Or as J. B. Phillips paraphrases it, “Doesn’t that prove that you are making class-distinctions in your mind and setting yourselves up to assess a man’s quality from wrong motives?” If any in the brotherhood manifest such an attitude, this action would be contrary to divine law which forbids being “a respecter of persons.” We would do well not to follow that practice.

Divinely Approved Judgment

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:31,32).

In this instance Paul appears to be telling us that judgment of ourselves is appropriate. If we fail to do this, the Lord will bring corrective measures upon us. These chastisements may come quickly or might not manifest themselves until a period of time elapses. When they appear, prompt action should be taken to make right where we have done wrong. By doing so, we would demonstrate progress that would be pleasing in the sight of God.

While individually judging others based upon appearance is something we are not authorized to do, the church should judge certain matters. Paul addressed an issue of fornication that existed in the Corinthian church. Paul reprimanded the Corinthians for not reproving the one that publicly acknowledged this behavior and removing him from their midst. Upon learning of this, Paul declared: “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” (1 Corinthians 5:3). In the case of grave immoral conduct, we should avoid fellowship with such a one until repentance and reformation occur (1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:14,15; 2 Corinthians 2:1-11).

We should not attempt to resolve disputes among brethren through the courts of this land (1 Corinthians 6:1). Rather, Paul asks us to consider whether there is a wise one among us to judge a dispute between brethren. Such a brother, however, should prayerfully seek the Lord’s will in the matter and that a spirit of love overrule in any such decision making (Romans 12:10).

Sometimes a question arises as to what position a brother should take if called to service by the court system. In addressing this, Paul wrote: “If the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest of matters?” (1 Corinthians 6:2). A Christian’s obligation to obey the laws of the land is not in violation of other Scriptural principles (Matthew 22:21).

If we are to be judges in the divinely appointed affairs of the next age, we should be able to judge matters of comparative triviality at this time. In the case of jurors, the courts merely charge them to decide what the verdict will be using the law that has been provided. If we be directed to assume such a role, we may conclude this to be Scripturally authorized regardless if our decisions are premised upon good or bad laws (Reprints, p.1531).

Nevertheless, there may be those who may choose to avoid jury duty to remain as pilgrims and strangers, and avoid entanglement in earthly affairs by participating in such service. If there is no violation of one’s conscience, there is liberty for personal choice of action where the Scriptures do not teach otherwise (cf., Romans 14:1 to 15:7).

The most profitable role of judgment that we will exercise, if faithful, will be to assist Christ in his future work of judging who is worthy for life during Christ’s earthly kingdom (John 5:22). What we currently lack on this side of the veil will be gained on the other side: the ability to measure and judge the minds, hearts and desires of others respecting their desire to obey the principles of righteousness. Until then, we should pray for greater conformity to divine principles: “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9,10 ASV). May this spirit of love be with each of us as we strive to be more pleasing to the heavenly Father.