Do Not Judge Others

 As we continue our study of the teachings and commands of Jesus, He teaches about judging people in Matthew 7. This is a continuation of the Sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 7:1-6 NIV

[1] “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. [2] For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 

[3] “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [4] How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 

[6] “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Jesus starts this passage by saying "Do not judge or you too will be judged." If you do then you'll receive the same kind of judgement from others as a result. You'll get whatever you give to others. So, He starts off by saying just do not judge others. Verses 3-5 does not give you permission to judge someone else when you remove the "plank" out of your own eye. He just said do not judge others. Verses 3-5 emphasizes that we all have sin in our lives and are in no position to judge or condemn someone elses actions. 

Keeping in mind the central thought of Romans 13:10, that "Love does no harm to a neighbor," we do not judge or condemn people, because that is causing them harm. It hurts them, makes them feel bad, or rejected. We never want to push people away by our words or actions. Just because we don't approve of their behavior, we have no right to judge them and make them feel bad about themselves. We ALL "fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. Everyone has specks and planks of sin in their lives.

In another situation, these guys caught a woman in adultery and brought her to Jesus. Jesus did not condemn her, but chewed out the guys that brought her to him. They said she was supposed to be stoned to death according to Mosaic Law. Jesus said Okay then you who do not have any sin, throw the first stone. Of course they all had sin as we all do, so they could not stone her. They dropped their stones and walked away. See the point? None of us are ever in a position to judge someone else, because we all have sin in our lives. Plus, this brings harm to another person which is not loving them like we are supposed to do.

So, just love people. Do not ever judge, condemn, rinder an opinion, or whatever else that could cause harm. We want to bring people to Jesus, not push them away.

The end of this passage is simple. It says don't tell people about Jesus who don't want hear it. When they don't want to hear it, we should respect that and move on. Don't infuriate people by persisting, because they might attack us. So we just move on to people who are receptive to the gospel of Jesus.

Here are other passages about not judging people:

Luke 6:37-38 NIV

[37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. [38] Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Romans 14:4, 10, 13 NIV

[4] Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

[10] You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

[13] Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

James 4:11-12 NIV

[11] Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. [12] There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post