The Danger of Improper Judgment

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." Jesus’ words, recorded in Matthew 7:1, are among the most often quoted of the Bible. Unfortunately, they are also among the most misunderstood. Whenever someone points out the sins of another person, emphasizes the need for church discipline, or exposes those who teach error, you can be sure someone will be heard to say, "Watch it! You’re judging! Why, don’t you remember what Jesus said, Judge not, that ye be not judged." But Matthew 7:1-5 is not a condemnation of all judging. Consider Jesus’ words in John 7:24: "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

However, Jesus’ words serve as a caution against improper judging. From Matthew 7:1-5, we learn we judge improperly when we judge without mercy and love. "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged" (7:2). It is said that the Sioux Indians have a prayer, "O Great Spirit, let me not judge another until I have walked in his moccasins a moon or two." We ought to judge others in the same manner we want to be judge – mercifully and lovingly.

We judge improperly when we judge without self-examination. "Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye" (7:34). Unfortunately, it’s often easier to recognize the faults of others than it is to recognize our own faults. We fault others for their conceit, but when we display the same attitude we call it self-respect. We fault others for being "overly touchy," but when we possess the same characteristics we simply say we are sensitive. We criticize others for their constant worry. But when we display the same characteristics, we simply say we are concerned. Friends, before judging others, we ought to examine ourselves.

We judge improperly when we judge without self-discipline. "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" (7:5). Jesus called the man who criticizes others without first correcting his own faults a hypocrite. Thayer’s Lexicon indicates the word translated "hypocrite" is related to the word from which we get our English word "actor." Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament words indicates the word translated "hypocrite" means a dissembler, or pretender. Before judging others, we ought to make an honest evaluation of ourselves.