Tired of Hearing People Say “Don’t Judge Me”?
“Judge not lest you be judged” is from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount in chapter 7 of the book of Matthew. Sadly, this passage is one of the most misunderstood in all of the Bible...
There seems to be an epidemic of people saying “don’t judge me” when they hear something about themselves they don’t want to listen to. As screwy as it sounds, they may have a point.
Let me explain…
“Judge not lest you be judged” is from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount in chapter 7 of the book of Matthew. Sadly, this passage is one of the most misunderstood in all of the Bible. It’s a classic example of a verse people take out of context to defend themselves when challenged about their behavior.
But, to properly understand it, one must read it in context…
7 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 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.” (Matthew 7:1-5 NASB)
When Jesus said, “Judge not lest you be judged,” what He meant was the standard that we are to use in judging others is the same standard by which we will be judged.
Christian writer Thad Brown puts it this way…
“If we look at the context of this verse, however, what Jesus is condemning is hypocritical judging. The Pharisees were famous for seeing other’s sins while being blind to their own faults. In fact, Jesus in verse 5 encourages judging when He states “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.”
Additionally, many of the remaining verses in chapter 7 are judging statements: “beware of the false prophets..,” “you will know them by their fruits,” and “I will declare to them, I never knew you.” We cannot beware, or know without judging. And certainly, God cannot declare without judging.
The point here is uncomplicated, Christians are not charged with running around pointing out the sins of non-believers. We’re to share the gospel in expectation of their redemption. At the same time, we’re to guard the purity of the church as Matthew 18:15-17 details. This doesn’t mean that we run around looking for every little misstep, but if we see serious sin, we need to confront in love both for their sanctification and the purity of the church.”
Brown goes deeper into the subject at https://www.forbyfaith.com/should-christians-judge-john-724/
When we read these verses in context, it becomes obvious that Jesus was condemning hypocrisy and self-centered pride. Before we confront anyone about anything, we should first examine our own motives to be sure there is no intent to damage or publicly shame someone inside the church… then follow God’s specific instructions for handling these types of situations found in chapter 18 of the book of Matthew:
15 “If your brother sins go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17 NASB)