Judge Not

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 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? 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? 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. “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Matthew 7:1-6 (ESV) 

"Judge not" has become the mantra of our culture as it increasingly seeks to equate tolerance with acceptance. Many people attempt to use Jesus's words here as a means to prohibit someone from evaluating the choices of another. The irony is, these same people are guilty of the very thing Jesus is warning us about.

It is obvious that Jesus doesn't mean that we aren't allowed to evaluate or discern certain things. In fact, shortly after his instructions here, Jesus tells us how to evaluate and recognize false teachers (Matt 7:15-20). He also says that when we judge, our judgment shouldn't be based on outward appearances or assumptions but on truth (John 7:24). Furthermore, he says that when someone has sinned against us, we should bring their sinful behavior to their attention (Matt 18:15) Jesus is not saying that we shouldn't use judgment, but he is drawing attention to how we judge.

We all have a way we think things should be, our own standard, and one of the first things Jesus wants to bring to our attention is how we often judge others by our own standards, yet fail to live up to them ourselves.

"For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged"

Paul says something similar in Romans 2:1

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.

As we condemn others for lying, cheating, being rude, being critical, being selfish...we condemn ourselves because we are no better. This doesn't just apply to believers, it also applies to unbelievers as well. We are all quick to justify and overlook our own sins, but ready and even at times eager to point out the sins of others.

That's why the second thing Jesus wants to bring to our attention is the devastation of our own sin. It is hypocritical to only be concerned about the sins we see in the lives of others. We should always see our own sin as a log in our eye that needs immediate attention. Sin is evil, it is deadly, it distorts and destroys. We should make every effort to "put to death the deeds of our body" (Rom 8:13). Only when we have dealt with sin in our own lives are we able to point others to our source of help. This is why Jesus follows this discussion of sin and judgment by telling us to ask, seek, and knock (Matt 7:7-11), Jesus alone can give us victory over the sin in our lives.

Jesus finishes his instructions by telling us not to give what is holy to the dogs and telling us not to cast our pearls before swine. This too has to do with judgment and the gospel. Jesus was no stranger to rejection. Everywhere he went there were those who criticized and challenged his teaching. In our own walk with Christ, as we follow him, there will be times when the gospel is rejected. There will be individuals in our lives who refuse to listen and accept Jesus as Lord.

Jesus is not telling us not to share the gospel with certain people. However, he is telling us to use discernment as we share. When it is obvious that someone refuses to listen to the gospel, we must be careful not to continue to press the issue. Doing so may damage the friendships and relationships we have with others, and those relationships may open the door for another opportunity to revisit the issue in the future.

Also, there may be some people around us who are very hostile towards the gospel. Those who thrive on arguments, mocking, and belittling the gospel. As we recognize such individuals, it may be better for us to move on and focus our efforts and energy elsewhere. Jesus is not saying that we need to reject some people, but he is teaching us how to respond to their rejection.