Matthew 7:1-7
Judging Rightly

Someone has said that Matthew 7:1 has come to replace John 3:16 as the best known Bible verse in our culture. In a recent trial in Cumberland County, NC, the defendant, who was found guilty of gunning down two law enforcement officers in cold blood, addressed the jury upon his conviction. With a tone of righteous indignation that would have been farcical if it were not so obscene the murderer admonished the jury, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

Is this what Jesus meant in the Sermon on the Mount? Does Jesus teach that we are not even allowed to condemn evil behavior as being evil or to measure out punishment for those who commit crimes? If this is not the case, then what is being addressed here and how are we to apply these lessons to our lives? That is the scope of this study.

The Principal at Work
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2

Jesus' words in this passage are often misunderstood and turned into a logically self-defeating absolute prohibition. To illustrate this let me recount a hypothetical exchange.

Suppose a Christian objects to a character in a TV sitcom glamorizing illegitimacy by seeking to get pregnant without being married to the child's father.

"That's the wrong message to be sending our children in this society", they say. Immediately a co-worker who overhears the comment says, "You are being so judgmental. Didn't the Jesus you're always talking about say, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."?

The Christian responds, "Are you saying that I'm doing a bad thing by ‘judging' this TV character?"

The co-worker responds, "Absolutely! You're being judgmental and intolerant."

The Christian then responds, "Well, aren't you judging me for judging this character, and if so, aren't you being judgmental and intolerant too?"

This exchange shows the logical problem with absolutizing this statement. Being judgmental cannot logically mean being in disagreement with someone or considering someone to be wrong.

What is prohibited here is a critical, judgmental spirit; an "inappropriate sense of moral superiority over another because of that person's moral failures."

The principal that Jesus establishes is that Christians are not allowed to have a negative, disparaging attitude towards others in their moral struggles. If we have a CONDEMNING spirit, we need to be prepared for God to have the same attitude towards us.

Problems with this type of judging:
1. Who has the ability to know the inner heart of another person? If we try to take that one's place what have we just done? Look up Romans 14:10-13, James 4:11-12.

2. We lack perfect knowledge. We may not have all the information.

3. We too are morally corrupt and under judgement without Christ's atonement.

The Problem with Logs
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Matthew 7:3-5

The obvious problem with judging another person is illustrated here by Jesus. What is the point Jesus is making here? Look up 2 Samuel 12:1-12 and see this played out in the life of David. Also see Luke 18:9-14.

If we look at our own lives we are less likely to be condemning or "holier than thou" with others. For instance, are we demanding of others, and yet expect that others should cut us some slack. Do we expect others to be more understanding of us than we are willing to be of them?

Don't Go Overboard
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:6

Jesus offers a corrective to those who would toss out all discernment in their desire to follow his command about not judging. Just because we are not to condemn others doesn't mean that we have to become blind to moral issues or the reality of evil in the world.

What terms does Jesus use to describe people in this passage? Is this in keeping with what the view secular people have of Jesus when he says, "Judge not..."?

There are some media in which Christian faith is routinely scorned, berated and treated with hardened contempt. For instance, Politically Incorrect a show where actors and pop culture icons gather to discuss the news of the day often has a token Christian on the panel. This person and their views are always treated with scorn and contempt by the host and other panelists.

Do you think Matthew 7:6 might offer some advice to Christians contemplating going on shows like this? Look up Proverbs 9:8.

How do the following passages relate to the issue of judging?

Matthew 7:15-20 If judging is absolutely forbidden then how can we discern even false prophets?

John 7:24; 1Cor 5:5; Gal 1:8-9; Philippians 3:2; 1John 4:1

Why is the judging mentioned in these passages permitted? How does it differ what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 7:1-5?

Back to Bible Studies Page

Back to  Cornerstone Stuff  Page

Questions, suggestions and problems concerning the Cornerstone United Methodist Church Website should be directed toward the Cornerstone Webmaster at: webmaster@cornerstoneumconline.com

This Website Has Been Visited



Since Beginning Operation