How To Judge Not

_{Matthew 7:1-5 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 to you again. (3) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (4) Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam isin thine own eye? (5) Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. (KJV Bible)}

I am reminded of an amusing anecdote about a critical sister of the church who wanted to straighten her pastor out over a bad misquote from one of his texts. Mrs. Hansen had been a member of First Baptist church for 25 years. As she walked toward the pastor, who stood waiting at the sanctuary door after the service, it was obvious that she had something on her mind. "Reverend, if God were alive today, He would be shocked at the way you used the Bible!"

I find it sadly interesting to hear folks quote (or misquote) the Bible. Their citations are often an undressing of their spiritual person. The observant individual can see what they are by listening to their words. When I hear someone spurt, “Judge not, that you be not judged,” most often I see a man/woman who is doing something he/she should not do. To add to this train, one of the most often quoted verses by the backslidden Christian is ,”Judge not!”

This fantastic Scripture is a rebuke towards certain kinds of judging. I am speaking of that which is hypocritical, arrogant, or condescending. The Christian should not be in this type of judging business. In this passage Jesus condemns judging as the Pharisees were so guilty of doing. We are to bless others and not to condemn them. Jesus wants all mankind to come to Him. However, if we examine judging in a balanced manner throughout the Scriptures, we also understand that some judging (or discerning) is necessary.

The great question is, “How do I find that balance?”

What is “Judging” – What does the word, “judge” (Greek word is “krinō “ kree'-no) mean?

_{(STRONGS) Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: - avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.}

When are not to Judge?

First, we should not use condemning words to control others. Some people are judgmental in an effort to have power over others. For example, the Pharisees were trying to control the blind man, his parents, and the crowd on that Sabbath day when Jesus healed this precious man near the pool of Siloam (John 9). They decreed this "sin" of Jesus because of the day. Another instance occurred when Jesus met with Peter after the resurrection and told him, “Feed My sheep.” Peter later asked, “What about John?” Jesus told him to mind his own business. These examples are vastly simplified, but the Bible is full of such examples.

Secondly, we are not to be in the condemning business!

_{Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (KJV Bible)}

My point is that we all do things worthy of condemnation and judgment, but when we are in Christ, walking after Him, Jesus becomes our advocate. We live, learn, and grow in discipleship. I am so glad God is my judge and not some third party like you! We are just not wise enough to be judges!

Finally, we do not judge others to make ourselves look better.

Your suit does not look any better by smearing dirt on your neighbor’s. Look what Paul says:

_{2Co 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (KJV Bible)}

_{Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;}

Make no mistake: As you judge, you will be judged. The farmer who plants certain seeds knows what to expect. He knows he will reap what he sows. He may not know exactly how many bushels of corn he'll get to an acre, but he knows it will all be the result of the seeds he planted. That is an unbreakable law of nature: we reap what we sow, but we can never know exactly how much the harvest will be. This also holds true in the spiritual dominion. We find absolute laws of sowing and reaping there also. Don’t be like the mole that is ignorant of the existence of the sunlight because he is blind.

If your two kids are playing in the mud, and if one is dirtier than the other, both are muddy. If the younger says she needs no bath because she is not as filthy as her brother, do you excuse her? NO.

A PHILOSOPHER witnessed from the shore the shipwreck of a vessel, of which the crew and passengers were all drowned. He inveighed against the injustice of Providence, which would for the sake of one criminal perchance sailing in the ship allow so many innocent persons to perish. As he was indulging in these reflections, he found himself surrounded by a whole army of Ants, near whose nest he was standing. One of them climbed up and stung him, and he immediately trampled them all to death with his foot. An Angel of the Lord presented himself and rebuking the Philosopher said, "And are you indeed to make yourself a judge of the dealings of Providence, who hast thyself in a similar manner treated these poor Ants?' For this reason we should never judge God's actions or plans. He alone knows what is best for the human race. Likewise, Christians have no business judging others as well. (Aesop’s Fables)

Now, a word for the other side! There are times we are told to judge.

I like the word, “discern” a little better here, but my point is that there are times when we are to distinguish between right and wrong. If you do not, you cannot be a meaningful disciple of Christ, a good soul winner, or a happy Christian.

_{1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (KJV Bible)}

_{1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.}

When I was raising my children, I repeated four principles of discipleship ad infinitum: Know who you are in Christ; Discern right and wrong for yourself using Scriptural Christian principles; do not allow anyone (including mom and me) to squeeze you into their mold for living; rejoice in each day. Now, this is a partial list, but it is good place to start.

Dear readers, my best advice is for you to do the same. Remember, some things are just not your business. Take care for yourself and you’ll be happier!