Biblical Teachings on Judging Others
Articles by Dave Brown and Bryan Gibson
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These articles are going to require a little deeper thought than most; but we know that you are up to it.
Judge Not that ye Be Not Judged (Mt. 7:1)
by Dave Brown
The passage cited in our title is one of the most taken out of context in the bible, and it is applied to mean just the opposite of what Jesus intended. Satan is quite clever in his use of scripture (Mt. 4), but we are not ignorant of his devices.
So, first of all – let us understand exactly what Jesus was communicating here by looking at the entire context, and we will see some scathing language applied by our Lord …
Matthew 7:1-5
7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you.
3 And why behold thou the splinter that is in thy brother's eye, but you do not consider the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the splinter out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Why should we not judge? The first verse tells us – so that we will not be judged (the implication is … not be judged by God).
But then Verse 2 goes on to give us more explanation. Ah, it says we will be held to the SAME STANDARD that we are applying to others. Well, we certainly cannot complain about that, can we? But let’s go on.
In Verses 3 and 4 Jesus is emphasizing that what we are complaining about in others is trivial compared to our own sin. Wow – that should be an eye opener! The problem in our brother’s eye is a splinter compared to the 2x12 beam in our own eye. Obvious hyperbole, but certainly something that we can visualize in our mind’s eye.
Now the clincher that bears repeating …
Matthew 7:5
5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
What? But Jesus, I thought you said in Verse 1 that ALL judging was wrong. Now you are commanding us to judge once we get our own act together? Now THAT is a surprise I expect to many who have never read this far before.
“Thou hypocrite …” Does this apply to me?
Well, if I condemn people for judging per se, am I not doing some major judging myself? The answer is inescapable and obviously YES. Anyone who cannot see that he is guilty of judging by condemning those who judge has a beam in his own eye. When we condemn others for judging we are, ourselves, judging them. So we are guilty of gross hypocrisy. Nothing fits the definition of hypocrisy any better than that!
Now, for a moment of folly, let us take the perversion of Mt. 7:1 to its ultimate limit. If applied comprehensively, no one could judge anyone for anything. Think about that for a moment. Total anarchy. All of the atrocities, injustices, and hateful things we know that are going on in the world – “you cannot say anything against them because you would be judging.” Again, if those who would take Mt. 7:1 out of context (and not realize that they are totally guilty of it themselves) cannot see the ultimate consequences of making all judging a sin, then it is clear Jesus was talking to them since they clearly have beams in their own eyes.
We do not need to quote the many places in the bible that commands us to judge in order to further make our point. But for the record, here are a few that we will present without comment:
John 7:24
Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
John 12:48
48 He that rejects me, and receives not my sayings, hath one that judges him: the word that I spoke, the same shall judge him in the last day.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5
1 It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one (of you) hath his father's wife.
2 And ye are puffed up [proud – db], and did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing,
4 in the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
5 to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 6:1-4
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
2 Or know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have to judge things pertaining to this life, do ye set them to judge who are of no account in the church?
The conclusion is that there IS a time for appropriate and righteous judging. If others are not judging righteously, then we should judge them. But that cannot be done by imposing a blanket prohibition of all judging. Indeed, to do so is to impose a blanket prohibition on free thought and to invite anarchy. We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices.
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Click here for additional articles on Judging and Judgment.
Please Judge Me
by Bryan Gibson
September 26, 2013
Preface by Dave Brown: Close to two decades ago we wrote that "your most valuable asset is criticism of yourself." This is an extremely counter-intuitive statement, and we did not say it because of biblical teaching (at the time) but in the context of it enabling the person to be a good manager (Technimanagement, by David Brown ... Google for Amazon or other large publisher and re-seller). Our reasoning at that time was that criticism may tell you one of two things. If it is true then it tells you how you can improve yourself, and nothing is more valuable than self-improvement (in either a worldly or a spiritual sense). On the other hand, if it is malicious slander, then it tells you what is in the head of your adversary, and thus prepares you for a defense. So, regardless if it is true or false, if you receive it, evaluate it and act properly on it, it is your most valuable asset. Bryan Gibson below shows that this wisdom is, in fact, nothing new -- it is bible based. While stated as a declarative, "Please Judge Me" demonstrates the biblical proof for the fact that "your most valuable asset is criticism of yourself."
That’s right, it’s time we flipped the script on the overused and misused slogan of so many—“don’t judge me.” Me personally, I want to know when I’m wrong—in any area of my spiritual life. I do “examine (my) own work” (Galatians 6:2); I do “judge” myself (1 Corinthians 11:31), but I may be blind to what others can clearly see.
Just to be clear, I’m not talking about the “command fire to come down from heaven” spirit of judgment displayed by James and John (Luke 9:51-56). Final judgment belongs to the Lord, but you can help me get ready for that judgment by judging me now—by pointing out my sins.
I would urge you to not judge me too hastily, to “not judge according to appearance, but…with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). But if you know the facts, and the facts point to my guilt, please love me enough to rebuke me (Revelation 3:19), because “open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed” (Proverbs 27:5). “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6), so don’t be afraid to wound me.
I would also prefer that you not judge me hypocritically, that you not be guilty of the same things of which you accuse me (Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1-3). Not for my sake, because your hypocrisy doesn’t change my innocence or guilt, but for your sake. Make sure you humbly apply the same standard (the gospel) to yourself that you apply to me, and let’s both be willing to repent.
And yes, it would be easier on me (and you) if you come to me, at least initially, “in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Circumstances may call for a sharper rebuke (Titus 1:13), and if that’s the case, it’s on me to respond with a “broken and a contrite heart” (Psalms 51:17). Bottom line—be careful in your approach, but from my standpoint, how you speak to me doesn’t change the facts. If I’m guilty of sin, that’s my biggest concern, not the manner in which you spoke.
It could be that my actions call for a public rebuke, much like Peter received at the hands of Paul (Galatians 2:13-14). And though I have no intention to do so, if I publicly teach false doctrine, I shouldn’t be surprised when you feel the need to warn others about me. Public teaching invites public scrutiny, and if necessary, public rebuke—I understand that, and I also understand that if I listen to correction along the way, it should never come to that.
“Don’t judge me”—here’s what God says about that approach: “He who refuses correction goes astray” (Proverbs 10:17). “He who hates corrections is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1). “He who hates correction will die” (Proverbs 15:10). “He who disdains instruction despises his own soul…” (Proverbs 15:32).
“Please judge me”—here’s what God says about that approach: “He who regards a rebuke will be honored” (13:18). “He who receives correction is prudent” (15:5). “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise…he who heeds rebuke gets understanding” (Proverbs 15:31-32).
So, which is the better approach? You be the judge.
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Return to Pilgrim's landing Page
Judge Not that ye Be Not Judged (Mt. 7:1)
by Dave Brown
The passage cited in our title is one of the most taken out of context in the bible, and it is applied to mean just the opposite of what Jesus intended. Satan is quite clever in his use of scripture (Mt. 4), but we are not ignorant of his devices.
So, first of all – let us understand exactly what Jesus was communicating here by looking at the entire context, and we will see some scathing language applied by our Lord …
Matthew 7:1-5
7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you.
3 And why behold thou the splinter that is in thy brother's eye, but you do not consider the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the splinter out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Why should we not judge? The first verse tells us – so that we will not be judged (the implication is … not be judged by God).
But then Verse 2 goes on to give us more explanation. Ah, it says we will be held to the SAME STANDARD that we are applying to others. Well, we certainly cannot complain about that, can we? But let’s go on.
In Verses 3 and 4 Jesus is emphasizing that what we are complaining about in others is trivial compared to our own sin. Wow – that should be an eye opener! The problem in our brother’s eye is a splinter compared to the 2x12 beam in our own eye. Obvious hyperbole, but certainly something that we can visualize in our mind’s eye.
Now the clincher that bears repeating …
Matthew 7:5
5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
What? But Jesus, I thought you said in Verse 1 that ALL judging was wrong. Now you are commanding us to judge once we get our own act together? Now THAT is a surprise I expect to many who have never read this far before.
“Thou hypocrite …” Does this apply to me?
Well, if I condemn people for judging per se, am I not doing some major judging myself? The answer is inescapable and obviously YES. Anyone who cannot see that he is guilty of judging by condemning those who judge has a beam in his own eye. When we condemn others for judging we are, ourselves, judging them. So we are guilty of gross hypocrisy. Nothing fits the definition of hypocrisy any better than that!
Now, for a moment of folly, let us take the perversion of Mt. 7:1 to its ultimate limit. If applied comprehensively, no one could judge anyone for anything. Think about that for a moment. Total anarchy. All of the atrocities, injustices, and hateful things we know that are going on in the world – “you cannot say anything against them because you would be judging.” Again, if those who would take Mt. 7:1 out of context (and not realize that they are totally guilty of it themselves) cannot see the ultimate consequences of making all judging a sin, then it is clear Jesus was talking to them since they clearly have beams in their own eyes.
We do not need to quote the many places in the bible that commands us to judge in order to further make our point. But for the record, here are a few that we will present without comment:
John 7:24
Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
John 12:48
48 He that rejects me, and receives not my sayings, hath one that judges him: the word that I spoke, the same shall judge him in the last day.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5
1 It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one (of you) hath his father's wife.
2 And ye are puffed up [proud – db], and did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing,
4 in the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
5 to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 6:1-4
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
2 Or know ye not that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world is judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more, things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have to judge things pertaining to this life, do ye set them to judge who are of no account in the church?
The conclusion is that there IS a time for appropriate and righteous judging. If others are not judging righteously, then we should judge them. But that cannot be done by imposing a blanket prohibition of all judging. Indeed, to do so is to impose a blanket prohibition on free thought and to invite anarchy. We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices.
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Click here for additional articles on Judging and Judgment.
Please Judge Me
by Bryan Gibson
September 26, 2013
Preface by Dave Brown: Close to two decades ago we wrote that "your most valuable asset is criticism of yourself." This is an extremely counter-intuitive statement, and we did not say it because of biblical teaching (at the time) but in the context of it enabling the person to be a good manager (Technimanagement, by David Brown ... Google for Amazon or other large publisher and re-seller). Our reasoning at that time was that criticism may tell you one of two things. If it is true then it tells you how you can improve yourself, and nothing is more valuable than self-improvement (in either a worldly or a spiritual sense). On the other hand, if it is malicious slander, then it tells you what is in the head of your adversary, and thus prepares you for a defense. So, regardless if it is true or false, if you receive it, evaluate it and act properly on it, it is your most valuable asset. Bryan Gibson below shows that this wisdom is, in fact, nothing new -- it is bible based. While stated as a declarative, "Please Judge Me" demonstrates the biblical proof for the fact that "your most valuable asset is criticism of yourself."
That’s right, it’s time we flipped the script on the overused and misused slogan of so many—“don’t judge me.” Me personally, I want to know when I’m wrong—in any area of my spiritual life. I do “examine (my) own work” (Galatians 6:2); I do “judge” myself (1 Corinthians 11:31), but I may be blind to what others can clearly see.
Just to be clear, I’m not talking about the “command fire to come down from heaven” spirit of judgment displayed by James and John (Luke 9:51-56). Final judgment belongs to the Lord, but you can help me get ready for that judgment by judging me now—by pointing out my sins.
I would urge you to not judge me too hastily, to “not judge according to appearance, but…with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). But if you know the facts, and the facts point to my guilt, please love me enough to rebuke me (Revelation 3:19), because “open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed” (Proverbs 27:5). “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6), so don’t be afraid to wound me.
I would also prefer that you not judge me hypocritically, that you not be guilty of the same things of which you accuse me (Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1-3). Not for my sake, because your hypocrisy doesn’t change my innocence or guilt, but for your sake. Make sure you humbly apply the same standard (the gospel) to yourself that you apply to me, and let’s both be willing to repent.
And yes, it would be easier on me (and you) if you come to me, at least initially, “in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Circumstances may call for a sharper rebuke (Titus 1:13), and if that’s the case, it’s on me to respond with a “broken and a contrite heart” (Psalms 51:17). Bottom line—be careful in your approach, but from my standpoint, how you speak to me doesn’t change the facts. If I’m guilty of sin, that’s my biggest concern, not the manner in which you spoke.
It could be that my actions call for a public rebuke, much like Peter received at the hands of Paul (Galatians 2:13-14). And though I have no intention to do so, if I publicly teach false doctrine, I shouldn’t be surprised when you feel the need to warn others about me. Public teaching invites public scrutiny, and if necessary, public rebuke—I understand that, and I also understand that if I listen to correction along the way, it should never come to that.
“Don’t judge me”—here’s what God says about that approach: “He who refuses correction goes astray” (Proverbs 10:17). “He who hates corrections is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1). “He who hates correction will die” (Proverbs 15:10). “He who disdains instruction despises his own soul…” (Proverbs 15:32).
“Please judge me”—here’s what God says about that approach: “He who regards a rebuke will be honored” (13:18). “He who receives correction is prudent” (15:5). “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise…he who heeds rebuke gets understanding” (Proverbs 15:31-32).
So, which is the better approach? You be the judge.
What are the conditions of salvation given by Jesus?
Return to Pilgrim's landing Page