Judge Not…?

As Christians, we seem to have a fear of the black-and-white. We are tremendously skittish when it comes to stating that an action or a lifestyle is right or wrong – especially when someone is doing it. The reason usually given for this is that “the Bible says we shouldn’t judge.” Is this really true, though, or have we taken a fraction of one verse out of the context of the whole of Scripture?

The verse in question is Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” At first blush, this does seem to state that judging is out of the question, period. A more careful reading, however, will show us that the context does not allow for this seemingly obvious interpretation. In fact, the following verses tell us how to judge!

We are not to be hypocrites, out to point out everyone’s faults while pretending we have none. Rather, “first remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (v. 5) It is important to point out the specks in our brothers’ eyes – “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20) (How can we turn a sinner from the error of his ways if we won’t acknowledge that his ways are in error?) The key is that we are to judge for the benefit of others; not so we can behave as though we’re better than anyone else.

Other Passages

There are other passages which teach us to judge, as well. Consider 1 Corinthians 5:12-13: “For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside [of the Church]? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore ‘put away from yourselves the evil person.'” We are to judge between obedience and disobedience so that those living in disobedience can be put out of the church. The surrounding verses, as well as verses elsewhere in the Scripture, teach us that the reason for this is to “shame” the disobedient brother into repentance. It is to his benefit that we come down hard on his sin!

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Ephesians tells us to, “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (5:11) We are commanded to expose the works of darkness. Works of darkness are works of darkness even if Christians are doing them!

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We are called to be fruit inspectors (especially when those bearing the fruit are in positions of leadership). Let’s go back to Matthew 7. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit….Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” (vv. 15-18,20) False prophets look like sheep. We know them as wolves by judging their works and the results of their works.

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If there are false prophets who look like sheep, is it too much of a stretch to believe there are average people who look like sheep and claim to be sheep but whose works are the works of wolves? In fact, the Bible tells us this is the case. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” (Matthew 7:21-23)

It is not enough to simply say the right things and to do those things which “look good” in the church – “ministries” and programs and things which make us look good before men. We must also obey His commandments. Those who “do the will of the Father in heaven” are those who live according to His Word. Those who have disregarded His commands are practicing lawlessness. Are we doing them a service by pretending that isn’t the case?