Imagine you find a Bible someone has lost. As you thumb through it searching for the owner’s identification, one page catches your attention in Matthew. In chapter seven, the first three words of verse one have been circled. The next five and a half verses have been scratched out with a black magic marker. The only readable words are, Do not judge. This illustrates how some people, especially non-Christians, try to interpret scripture—pick a verse they like and scratch out what they don’t like. When we study scripture, three cardinal rules must always apply. First is context; second is context, and you guessed it, third is context. What is written before a verse, and what is said afterward? Do not judge isn’t even the entire verse. It is merely the first phase of six verses concerning judging. Multiple teachers and writers agree this is probably the most misinterpreted and misapplied verse in the New Testament.
Jesus does not say ‘never judge’. Following through the context we learn Christ is teaching the proper way to use judgment in contrast to the Jewish religious leaders who condemned people by hypocritical judgment. The corrupt society has twisted three words of this verse into a mandatory rule that believers are never to disapprove or correct immoral actions. However, God has given us the responsibility of calling attention to false doctrine. Ezekiel gave Israel a strong warning, But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes . . . his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand (Eze 33:6). The watchmen judged if those approaching were friends or enemies. Today we serve as the watchmen and must warn others of the approaching danger.
It might surprise people to learn the Holy Spirit gives individuals a ‘gift of judgment’. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all. For one person is given through the Spirit . . . the gift of discernment [judgment] of spirits (1 Corin 12:7, 10 NET). The word discernment, used over 700 times in Bible, means to judge, discern, distinguish, decide (mentally or judicially), to conclude, or determine. It is the same root word in Matthew 7:1. Judging is the distinguishing good from evil and right from wrong. My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world (1 Jn 4:1 MSG).
Fellow expatriates came and warned us before our first trip to South Africa not to travel down one particular road, even though it was 20 miles shorter. This route had become notorious for criminals who would steal everything a traveler had. Those who rejected or ignored this warning lost their vehicle and all their possessions. We were so thankful for the information from those who judged this highway unsafe and were willing to tell us. As new missionaries, we were unaware of the danger. We also began warning other newcomers. We learned later that even the police wouldn’t go down this road. Compare this to Christians not warning those who don’t believe or have never heard the Gospel because this would be considered ‘judging’. We would have lost our possessions; non-believers can lose their eternal souls.
Christ has given us the responsibility of sharing the Gospel and warning people of the dangers. Beware of the false prophets (Mat 7:15). Jesus warned that in the last days, For false Christs and false prophets will arise (Mat 24:24). This calls for judgment to determine if someone is a false prophet or a false teacher. If you stopped reading after Do not judge (v1), you missed Jesus showing we have to judge. Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces (v6). This verse implies judgment is required to determine who are dogs and who are hogs.
Before we can make a judgment on another believer who has a speck in his eye, we must judge ourselves. 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 (v6). Jesus wasn’t eliminating judging, He was showing the correct process. Judgment never condemns an individual—believer, or non-believer and is not a public reprimand. The judgment of a brother who is sinning is done in private. If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother ( Mat 18:15). The Lord condemns the spirit of censoriousness, judging harshly, self-righteously, without mercy, and love (Hendriksen). The purpose of loving and merciful judgment is restoration, correction, or warning).
Sustaining Word for the Week: In this time of trouble, we need watchmen who will not shrink back in fear but will judge, discern and determine all that is false doctrine. They aren’t condemnors or executioners of justice—that’s God’s duty—they are restorers calling people to God.