“Don’t judge me!” Have you ever heard someone say this? This statement is often used in our culture. Usually, when people say this, they are referring to the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1.
What does Jesus mean when He talks about judging in Matthew 7:1? Is Jesus condemning all forms of judgment? Is He saying that it is wrong to condemn the ungodly actions of others? Or, is He talking about a particular kind of judgment?
Jesus condemns hypocritical judgment (Matthew 7:1-5).
- A “hypocrite” is an actor or pretender. Many of the scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites (Matthew 23:13-15, 23-28).
- Paul rebuked the Jews for being hypocrites (Romans 2:1-3).
- We must remove the “log” from our eye (Matthew 7:5). Then we can help our brother remove the speck from his eye (Matthew 7:5b).
- It is wrong to point out the sins of others, if we are also engaged in those same sins.
Jesus authorizes righteous judgment (Matthew 7:6; John 7:24).
- Judgment is necessary to recognize those are “dogs” and “swine” (Matthew 7:6). We should never force the gospel on those who are determined to reject it!
- Jesus says we are to render “righteous judgment.” This is when we merely point out to others what God has declared about particular behavior in His word. Paul exercised this on the Jews in Acts 13:42-46.
- Those who advocate that Jesus condemns all forms of judging need to go back and study God’s word very carefully.
Terrible consequences of believing that Jesus condemns all forms of judging:
- We could not restore erring brethren (Galatians 6:1).
- We could not practice church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1-5).
- We could not rebuke false teachers (1 John 4:1; Matthew 7:15-20).
- Jesus would have been a hypocrite (Matthew 23:13ff).
- The apostles would have been openly rebelling against God (1 Corinthians 6:9; Acts 2:38; 3 John 9).
Conclusion:
God is the ultimate Judge of all humanity. Are you prepared to stand before Him in judgment?
