Matthew 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

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Hi everyone,
I wanted to clear up a misconseption that seems to be quite popular. A lot of people seem to think that Matthew 7:1 means that you are not allowed to judge at all. However, when this verse is read in the context of the following verses (read 7:2-5 with 7:1), it is clear that what is condemned here is judging hypocritically.

See tektonics.org/lp/nojudge.html
 
That is not correct. There are many verses in the Bible stating that it is not proper for mankind to judge each other: 1 Cor 4:3-5, Jas 4:11, Rom 14:1-15, Rom 2:1, John 8:7, and Luke 6:37-42 are just a few.

As for Matthew 7:1-5, I think you are misinterpreting. Get some good Bible Commentaries to read. 7:5, in the RSV-CE says, “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.” That means you are a hypocrite if you are criticizing/judging others when you have the exact same problem. NOWHERE in the Bible does it say that’s the ONLY reason you should not judge others! The most important reason is because God told us not to, as we are also sinners and have no right to elevate ourselves to God’s level.

The Bible is pretty clear that only God judges, because only God can know what is in people’s heart. Why do you think Jesus said to the elders, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”. Are any of us without sin?
 
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awalt:
That is not correct. There are many verses in the Bible stating that it is not proper for mankind to judge each other: 1 Cor 4:3-5, Jas 4:11, Rom 14:1-15, Rom 2:1, John 8:7, and Luke 6:37-42 are just a few.

As for Matthew 7:1-5, I think you are misinterpreting. Get some good Bible Commentaries to read. 7:5, in the RSV-CE says, “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.” That means you are a hypocrite if you are criticizing/judging others when you have the exact same problem. NOWHERE in the Bible does it say that’s the ONLY reason you should not judge others! The most important reason is because God told us not to, as we are also sinners and have no right to elevate ourselves to God’s level.

The Bible is pretty clear that only God judges, because only God can know what is in people’s heart. Why do you think Jesus said to the elders, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”. Are any of us without sin?
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I am not sure if what I stated is correct or what you stated is correct (or if we are both wrong?). I know that I could be wrong.

Are you sure about what you are saying about judging others?
Let me ask a question that may help clarify things. If I said raping children is evil, therefore if someone believes it is ok to rape children and actually rapes children on a regular basis, that person is evil. Are you saying that would be judging others and I am not allowed to think/say that about that person?

Also, does it matter if the person i am judging is a Christian or a non-Christian? Like, am i not allowed to judge anyone from either group?

I apologize if I stated anything wrong on what the Bible teaches about judging others and/or if I confused anyone.
 
I believe that God is referring to judging the soul of another man. We cannot do that, only He does that. However, we must judge the actions of our fellow man and we all do it every day if we are to survive. Forinstance: would you allow your teen son or daughter to date someone who has a less than savory(verified) reputation…drinking, drugs, etc. If someone steals from you, say a $500.00 watch, do you just say, I can’t judge her because I too, am human. Allow parents to abuse their children, allow rape, murder and all the rest. If someone lies to you over and over are you still supposed to believe them or justify behavior because he/she is human? A man I know has spent more time in jail than out for a huge variety of unawful deeds. He had four children that we knew of and of course could not support them from behind bars. When he got out after one recent 5 year stint, he and a new girlfriend had a baby. Both parents were on drugs. The child is being raised by grandparents. The man is back in jail for 8 years and as for his girl friend, no one knows for sure where she is. We should let him out of jail to have lots more children with lots more women to steal from more people so he can support his drug habit? He got religion each time in jail, even a ministers certificate. I am trying to say that I think we HAVE to judge these actions and all the bibical verses in the world would not dispute this.

Love and peace
 
We are not to judge, but we are supposed to “instruct the ignorant”, and “admonish the sinner”. Those are spiritual works of mercy.

Of course, as we admonish and instruct we are to do so with the mind and heart of Christ.
 
If I said raping children is evil, therefore if someone believes it is ok to rape children and actually rapes children on a regular basis, that person is evil. Are you saying that would be judging others and I am not allowed to think/say that about that person?
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I know this is hard to take, which is why our journey to Jesus Christ is so long. But, in the example above, we are taught to hate the sin, not the sinner. Rape is very evil, but the person is a child of God, and only God can decide when and if someone is evil. Remember the thief on the cross next to Jesus? Maybe people would have judged him as evil, but in fact his actions were evil for a time, but we believe he ended up in heaven. It was up to Jesus to judge him, not us.

Remember in another example, Pope JP II visiting his would-be assassin in prison. He told him he loved him, he never called him evil. Judging the acts is ok, judging the person is not, as we don’t know.
 
When I admonish someone for his actions, I am in fact judging that he/she did something wrong! Yes, we are to love all of mankind for they are our brothers, but we do not have to like what they do. If someone puts someone else in danger, etc. etc., I will make a “judgement” to “admonish” that person. I do know people that are “not nice”!!! Yes, I love God’s children, but their actions may not be lovable.

Love and peace
 
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coptic_believer:
Hi everyone,
I wanted to clear up a misconseption that seems to be quite popular. A lot of people seem to think that Matthew 7:1 means that you are not allowed to judge at all. However, when this verse is read in the context of the following verses (read 7:2-5 with 7:1), it is clear that what is condemned here is judging hypocritically.
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You are correct with regard to this specific passage. A common source of misinterpretation when reading the Bible comes from the fact that English often uses one word where the original Greek actually has several. ‘Judge’ is often translated simply from a variety of different Greek words, and in the above passage the author of Matthew uses the verb *hupokrites–*hypocritise. Jesus is saying that we must not hypocritise lest our own criticism fall on ourselves.

The verses which awalt quotes concern other types of judgement. In some passages we are specifically admonished to judge (2 Timothy 4:2-4). But this is obviously not the same sort of judgement which is in other passages expressly forbidden (e.g. Rom. 14). Here is an excellent webpage from a Protestant website which clarifies the different words in the New Testament translated as ‘judge’.

The basic rule that we should ‘judge the sin but not the sinner’ is true in the sense that we cannot condemn a person wholly, but we must condemn their actions. This is based on forgiveness, as Jesus commanded us. We must always forgive, and this means that we can not outright condemn anyone because they are always capable of redemption. This is a fundamental Christian concept.
However, it is also wrong to think that we must not judge our neighbour at all. We must rebuke and chastise others for their actions, we must be unwavering in our witness to the truth, but always in charity.

Here is a great article discussing how Satan has twisted this good ‘do not judge’ commandment into a tool for modern relativism.
It’s important that we distinguish between the healthy judgments which are out of love for our neighbour and those which are out of pride, spite or presumption. Scripture condemns the latter but commands the former.
 
Most people who bring up the “judging” issue do it because they wish not be held accountable for their own actions, therefore use this blanket judgment statement to take the spotlight off themselves. I too believe we can judge people’s behavior, but of course, never their heart. That’s obviously God’s job.
 
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RiverRock:
Most people who bring up the “judging” issue do it because they wish not be held accountable for their own actions, therefore use this blanket judgment statement to take the spotlight off themselves. I too believe we can judge people’s behavior, but of course, never their heart. That’s obviously God’s job.
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Unfortunately, most people can’t seem to separate the two. Being brow-beaten by a self-rightous Christian (or whatever belief) will probably have the opposite effect of the one sought by the “corrector”.
 
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coptic_believer:
Hi everyone,
I wanted to clear up a misconseption that seems to be quite popular. A lot of people seem to think that Matthew 7:1 means that you are not allowed to judge at all. However, when this verse is read in the context of the following verses (read 7:2-5 with 7:1), it is clear that what is condemned here is judging hypocritically.

See tektonics.org/lp/nojudge.html
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We’re allowed to judge actions, not people.
 
Jesus did tell us to judge righteously in John 7:24:

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” RSV-CE.

The difference here is to judge with righteousness, but not with self-righteousness. We can judge another’s actions as wrong and take whatever steps needed to protect oneself, and even the community (ie. prisons). But we must never think of ourselves as so high and mighty that we are not capable of doing the very same things if we fall into sin.
 
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coptic_believer:
Let me ask a question that may help clarify things. If I said raping children is evil, therefore if someone believes it is ok to rape children and actually rapes children on a regular basis, that person is evil. Are you saying that would be judging others and I am not allowed to think/say that about that person?
Click to expand...
I’m still not sure? I mean what’s wrong with saying “If I said raping children is evil, therefore if someone believes it is ok to rape children and actually rapes children on a regular basis, that person is evil [unless he/she repents]”?
 
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coptic_believer:
I’m still not sure? I mean what’s wrong with saying “If I said raping children is evil, therefore if someone believes it is ok to rape children and actually rapes children on a regular basis, that person is evil [unless he/she repents]”?
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Maybe my question/s wasn’t/wern’t clear. I’ll write it/them again slightly edited.

If I said raping children is evil, therefore if someone (i.e. not someone specifically, but in general) believes it is ok to rape children and actually rapes children on a regular basis, that person (i.e. in general) is evil unless he/she repents. Would that be judging others? Am I not allowed to think/say that people who both believe and do the above are evil unless they repent?
 
You are drawing conclusions about people based on their behavior, which includes what they are saying. What if a medical disorder or medicine is messing up their brain and making them think this stuff? What if they are saying it for some crazy effect?

And what good does it do to “judge” them? Remember what “judgment” really is, it’s an action performed by God

But the point is, IMHO God has been pretty clear. Only He judges PEOPLE, our attempts or desires to do so are an attempt to elevate to his level. Judge actions, not people. You can judge actions because God has taught us the truth about what is right and wrong. God has not taught us how to judge people.
 
" 15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? **17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ** 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:15-20)

If this applies to false prophets, I think it can be applied to other people too. If you think I am wrong, please correct me.

"24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)

The above verses (Matthew 7:15-20 and John 7:24, but especially Matthew 7:15-20) seem to confirm that there is nothing wrong with me saying “raping children is evil, therefore if someone (i.e. not someone specifically, but in general) believes it is ok to rape children and actually rapes children on a regular basis, that person (i.e. in general) is evil [with the possible exception of that person being insane etc rather than evil] unless he/she repents.”

Again, if you think I am wrong, please correct me.
 
"Judgement Of Others, 7:1,5

*“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. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, ‘Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye,’ and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” *

The devout Christian is aware of the final judgment which will take place at the second coming of the Lord. This judgment will consider the activities of the Christian, especially in relation to his neighbor. “Judge not”, is both a warning for the Christian not to exercise judgment against his neighbor and also an indication that by not judging others he may not be severely judged by God. The Christian is urged not to compromise evil doings with the moral principles of the Gospel; he as a Christian is appointed a guardian of the Christian moral code to function in the everyday life of his society.

The Christian has no right to condemn his neighbor; on the contrary, he should show kindness and sympathy. But he does have the right to judge the wrong activity in itself. He does not have the right to judge the thief, but has the right to pronounce stealing a crime against society and a sin toward God’s Will. By judging the wrong activity as such, the Christian includes himself, because he is responsible for the poor education of the people which afflicts the members of society at large. The Christian is advised to “cast out the beam from thine own eye”, which means to provide means for greater education and sound guidance for all peoples, young and old, so that all people respect the law and follow the sphere of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Excerpted from ‘The Sermon on the Mount’
by Rev. George Mastrantonis
goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article7110.asp
 
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