Question:
Judging others. Many Christians and non-Christians alike alway say, “Your not suppose to judge.” whenever you are talking about someone that is doing wrong. I know the Bible tells us “judge and you will be judged” but are we REALLY suppose to sit and be silent?????
Answer:
Matthew 7:1-5 says, “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.”
This passage reminds us that with the measure that we go around judging others, we ourselves will be judged in return by them. The passage does not forbid judging, because that is a necessary part of discernment in life for all of us. But you will notice that it reminds us to first judge ourselves. “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.” When we have been willing to honestly judge ourselves, then we can try and help the brother with his fault.
We must also remember that when we judge a brother taken in a fault, we must come very humbly. Galatians 6:1-3 says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”
Yes, we are commanded to judge. Matthew 7:15-20 says, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” How will you know the false prophets? You have to judge them by their fruit.
Yes, the Bible commands us to judge, but to do so only after we have judged ourselves, and then to do so very humbly and carefully.