Matthew 7:1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance but judge righteous judgment.
What does it mean to judge? Is it wrong to judge someone? Do we have the right to judge others? Is judging a sin? Well let us see what the word of God says about judging.
The Lord is righteous, and He is the only wise judge. He is so ‘righteous’ that His righteousness alone condemns the whole world of sin. Every word He speak is wisdom because ‘He is wisdom’. Every judgement He make is ‘righteous’ because there is no unrighteousness in Him. Therefore, we should leave judging to Him who created all things and know all things.
Jesus said to “judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). He also said, “judge righteous judgement” (St. John 7:24). Is this contradiction of scripture? Of course not. When a person is judgmental, most of the time it is negative because the judgement is usually harsh or critical. Perhaps, this is why Jesus warns us against judging. If we cannot judge righteously then it is better to not judge at all. Passing judgement on someone can be cruel. Judgment is passed when an opinion or a conclusion has been formed about someone. No one likes to be criticized or condemned, not even the person who judge. If we condemn someone for the same thing we do ourselves, we bring condemnation upon ourselves.
Prior to making a judgment, it is to our advantage to first question ourselves. Do we want someone to judge us? Sometimes, things look and sound different from what they really are. Have you ever heard the expression, eyes and ears can be deceiving? It can be very easy to mis-judge when the complete circumstance is unknown or not fully known. There are reasons for every action. Rather than be labeled as being judgmental, Jesus encourages us to [judge not] (Matthew 7:1). If we judge our brother or sister un-righteously, then we have become guilty of breaking God’s law. There is one lawgiver, who can save and destroy, who judges everyone righteously, the Lord God Almighty. So, who are we to judge one another? (James 4:11-12).
If we see our brother or sister ‘in what we think is error’ the most appropriate thing to do is, apply the thing we think warrants judging to our own lives and ensure we, ourselves, are in the perfect will of God. Being prejudice against someone to make a judgment call is not beneficial. If a person’s actions draw interest to you, instead of judging, observe your own thoughts and engage yourself in prayer. As an alternate, accept them for who they are, pray for them, and let God do the rest. Prayer is always in order and besides, “men ought always to pray” (St. Luke 18:1).
The feeling of being judged can be very hurtful. When a person forms a bias and/or an opinion about another person, they have passed judgment. With no compromise or any type of considerations they have concluded that they know what is right and/or wrong about that person. Only God knows all things. What we deem righteous in our own eyes could very well be wrong in the eyes of God, because “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart” (1Samuel 16:7). The Lord has not instructed us to judge anyone by what we see on the outside, on unsubstantiated suspicions, or anything else. Additionally, different circumstances warrant different reactions. Do we know the genuine motive behind the action? Remember, only God knows everyone’s heart.
When a person deliberately de-grade, de-humanize, obliterate, or consciously ruin or tear down a person’s reputation or assassinate their character, judgment has taken place and sin lieth at the door. I would that you read Romans 2:1-3. It affirms that no one will escape the judgment of God. “For if we would judge ourselves we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31). The word of God is very transparent in Matthew 7:4, “While you are trying to get the mote out of your brother’s eye you have a beam in your own eye.”
[Jesus further states, that a person who does such is a hypocrite (Matthew 7:5). Question: Do hypocrites go to heaven? Answer: They will ‘NEVER’ enter in. A hypocrite is a sinner].
Someone penned a song that expressed a reality, entitled, “I have six months to mind my own business and I have six months to leave yours alone”. When we take care to mind our own business we have no time to mind the business of others. In due time, “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Instead of being so eagerly motivated to judge let us be guilty of encouraging, inspiring, supporting one another, and most of all praying for one another. This is the will of God.
The consideration of judging someone should first include the thought of the ultimate judgement, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Therefore, it behooves us to terminate every negative opinion we embrace of others.
Take heed and be cautious not to judge un-righteously, because the word of God says, “Whatsoever a man soweth, [that] (not something else), but [that] shall he also reap” (Galatians 6: 7). If you take the initiative to judge, ensure that it is done “righteously” only to edify, (John 7:24), because when one seed is planted it “ALWAYS” bring forth multiples. Rather than assess the lives of others, the utmost significant thing to do is self-assess. “Everyone will be accountable to God for himself” (Romans 14:12). Let us not incur a critical spirit but always look for the good in others and not focus on what we think is bad or wrong. It is essential that we daily reflect on the word of God, apply it to our own lives, and leave the judging to God, who is the only ‘righteous’ and ‘wise’ God.
Let Us Pray: I thank You Dear Heavenly Father. Instead of passing judgement on someone, help me to remain open minded and pray for them, and to remember that everyone is different in thought and actions. Instead of applied judgement, help me to encompass applied awareness, so that I will always be a help to others and not a hinder. Help me to always remember Your word, that I should do unto others as I want them to do unto me. Amen
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