Growing up, I always heard preachers and church members say, "Don't judge me" or "The Bible says it is wrong to judge." I must admit, after many nights of searching I am still yet to find the verse that says that. This is a myth. This myth has been created because of an not so careful reading of Matthew 7:1 which says, "Judge not that you be not judge" and also an attitude that seeks to justify the sinful lifestlyes of some people.
Now, if this verse was the only verse involved in the context then there would be no question that judging is wrong. However there are more verses in this context. Notice the reading of Matthew 7:1-5:
"Judge not, that you be not judged. "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?"Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
To understand this, attention must be given to Jesus' question: "Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but DO NOT CONSIDER the plank in your own eye?" A speck is like a splinter. A plank is like a large board. His point is, how can someone who has a large object in their own eye help someone who has a small particle in theirs. It is impossible!!! To help someone's vision you must have good vision yourself.
So, what was Jesus' conclusion? Verse 5 says, "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." This is the key verse. From this verse we can learn there is a process for helping others with their problems and it goes like this:
Step 1- Examine your own life to see whether or not you have a problem with the same sin. If you do, THEN FIX IT BEFORE YOU SAY ANYTHING TO SOMEONE THAT HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM.
Step 2- Once you either have CLEANED UP YOUR ACT or have determined your do not have that problem, then you can have a clear conscience to HELP someone else.
Notice the word HELP. This judging process should be about helping rather than condemning. God' word does the condemning. Even Jesus did not come to condemn but to save. (John 3:17) The point is clear. It is very difficult for me to help someone with lying if I am a liar. It is very difficult to help an Adulterer if I am committing adultery. The only way I can help anyone is if I have overcame or never had the problem.
In conclusion, the only type of judging that is condemned in the Bible is HYPOCRITICAL JUDGING. But remember, even after you have cleaned up your life, be prepared to HELP people rather than CONDEMNING them. But the only way to help anyone IS TO POINT OUT THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE BY USING THE BIBLE. This is not judging, God's word is judging.
Now, if this verse was the only verse involved in the context then there would be no question that judging is wrong. However there are more verses in this context. Notice the reading of Matthew 7:1-5:
"Judge not, that you be not judged. "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?"Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
To understand this, attention must be given to Jesus' question: "Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but DO NOT CONSIDER the plank in your own eye?" A speck is like a splinter. A plank is like a large board. His point is, how can someone who has a large object in their own eye help someone who has a small particle in theirs. It is impossible!!! To help someone's vision you must have good vision yourself.
So, what was Jesus' conclusion? Verse 5 says, "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." This is the key verse. From this verse we can learn there is a process for helping others with their problems and it goes like this:
Step 1- Examine your own life to see whether or not you have a problem with the same sin. If you do, THEN FIX IT BEFORE YOU SAY ANYTHING TO SOMEONE THAT HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM.
Step 2- Once you either have CLEANED UP YOUR ACT or have determined your do not have that problem, then you can have a clear conscience to HELP someone else.
Notice the word HELP. This judging process should be about helping rather than condemning. God' word does the condemning. Even Jesus did not come to condemn but to save. (John 3:17) The point is clear. It is very difficult for me to help someone with lying if I am a liar. It is very difficult to help an Adulterer if I am committing adultery. The only way I can help anyone is if I have overcame or never had the problem.
In conclusion, the only type of judging that is condemned in the Bible is HYPOCRITICAL JUDGING. But remember, even after you have cleaned up your life, be prepared to HELP people rather than CONDEMNING them. But the only way to help anyone IS TO POINT OUT THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE BY USING THE BIBLE. This is not judging, God's word is judging.
RSS Feed