“Evil men understand not judgment:
but they that seek the Lord understand all things.” Prov. 28:5
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged”. I believe, this may be the verse of the Bible that is most frequently misinterpreted and taken out of context. How frequently do we hear people saying that Christians are not supposed to judge. But is it so? Today I want to show you how misleading can be such an interpretation and how we should properly read these words.
The Bible tells us that “he that is spiritual judgeth all things” (1 Cor. 2:15). According to the Scriptures, we will judge even the angels! Judgement is part of our heritage that we have in our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have salvation of our souls. “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” (1 Cor. 6:3).
We were created in God’s image. Therefore as Christians, we should display the same characteristics as God whom we call our Father. The Spirit of truth and holiness teaches us to discern good things from bad things. It can only be done by judgements through the lenses of the Scriptures. We judge through the Word of God. By doing so we give all the glory to God, for we remember that “God is judge himself.” (Ps. 50:6). Apostle Paul writes to Timothy: “the Lord, the righteous judge” (2 Tim. 4:8). The judgement belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the final authority in all matters.
How do we understand this verse then? What it really means? “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven”. If you read the full verse and in the context of the entire passage, you should see it does not forbid to judge. The Lord tells us not to judge in such a way that it condemns the other person.
Judgement is good. A rebuke helps to repent, to walk uprightly and closer to God. One of the marks of true love is that you give them whom you love a righteous judgement. If you consider someone your friend, would you not be grateful if that person told you that something you do may not be pleasing God? Nothing is worse than flattering words that cover a clearly visible wrongdoing. “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Prov. 27:5-6)
Today’s parable teaches us that we need to judge things in the right order. As Apostle Peter writes in his epistle: “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 P. 4:7). The judgement of God has to start with ourselves. It begins with me. We have to see that beam in our eye and only when the Lord takes it away, we shall be able to lead and help others. If we are to make judgements according to the Bible, we need to get rid of the hypocrisy. “Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?” (6:39). You have to see before you can lead others.
Here is God’s standard set for His people: “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” (6:40) This is the measure that is set upon us: The Lord Jesus Christ. Is anyone of us even close to living a charitable life full of compassion like our master did? Of course not! The meek and humble will see the infinite gap between our way of living and that life of perfect obedience of Lord Jesus Christ. He never failed to show mercy, kindness, goodness. There is nothing wrong that can be said about Him. As a Christian, I judge myself by this standard. I take the Word of God. I look at God’s law and I am a condemned sinner not deserving anything! I am judged!
This judgement pushes me to seek God’s mercy and grace every day. I want this grace to be displayed in my life, so that the good works testify about that treasure I have in my heart. God is right, I am wrong! This is the judgement. This is the way that glorifies God. It acknowledges His truth as revealed to us through the gospel. The infinite gap is now closed through the blood of Christ!
Use that God’s given instrument of judgement to recognise your problem: the beam in your eye. Find that darkness you have in your heart and acknowledge it to God. What do you try to hide from Him? When you find out your disease, it will bring you to the only remedy: God’s grace revealed to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. He is our salvation and the way to be forgiven. He is the light that can heal your wounds and give you eternal life.
Do not take the words “Judge not” out of context of the entire teaching of the Bible. The Lord forbids in this passage hypocritical judgement and judgement without mercy. A judgement that condemns another person abuses the power and authority. It does not give all the glory to God, because they who judge in such a way make themselves the final judges.
To judge rightly is a role which was delegated unto us by God. It is part of our Christian life: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (J. 7:24). The purpose of the judgement is to evaluate the fruit, to try it and taste it, and see if it may be pleasant to God. Do not look at the fruit and say it is ugly. Judge not according to the appearance. Rather try to see through people’s hearts. Make sure they understand the gospel and grow in the knowledge of the Lord. What is your good treasure? If you treasure the name of the Lord in your heart, your judgements will be right.
By all means I hope you would all judge the righteous judgement. “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment;” (Zeph. 2:3). Wrought means beaten out or shaped by hammering or fashioned in the specified way. The Bible, the Word of God is your hammer. It is your sword. If you do not judge, you are walking through this world with a powerful weapon which you do not use. So I urge you: Judge all things! This is God’s will for you. But never forget your judgements to be accompanied by mercy and compassion, for we are nothing without LOVE.
