Judge Not? Unpacking Matthew 7 Beyond the Cliché

Have you ever expressed an opinion about something that many people do that you do not particularly care for and been confronted by someone with the statement, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged?” I have. I said that I didn’t like a certain kind of fashion. The person I was with said I was judgmental, which was wrong.

I pointed out that I was just stating an opinion, which is far different from judgment. I just don’t like it and don’t understand why some people do. So that verse (Matthew 7:1) does not apply in that particular situation.

Using this verse out of context also leads to the thought that there are no moral absolutes (a problem in popular culture!). There really are things that are right and there really are things that are wrong, not that we should be expecting non-Christians to act like Christians.

I bring this up because one of the most misunderstood passages of Scripture is Matthew 7:1-5. In verses 1 and 2 Jesus says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (NIV).

This is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount that was addressed to His disciples, and a large crowd of others who listened as well. This particular verse is referring to fellow members of the community of faith. There may very well be times when someone who is known to be a Christian is in the wrong and needs to be confronted. We can see an example in Paul’s writing (I Corinthians 5). Also, Jesus gave instructions on how to confront someone who has sinned (Matthew 18). Jesus also told us we will recognize false prophets by their bad fruit (Matthew 7:13-20). Clearly, it is ok to notice something that needs to be corrected and to be a fruit inspector so that we don’t fall for the wrong teaching.

However, we get in trouble when we scrutinize others without looking in the mirror. Jesus gives an example in the form of a hyperbole in verses 3 through 5 when He says, “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? 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? 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” (NIV).

This is about self-righteous judging. Luke 18:9-14 is a perfect example of the type of self-righteous judgment Jesus was against. The tax collector was humbled and sought God’s mercy, but the Pharisee was so self-righteous he didn’t see his own wrongs and his need for forgiveness. The tax collector was justified, but the Pharisee was not.

To avoid this judgmental attitude, we can remember the mercy God has shown us and that He also shows that to others. All believers are on equal ground when it comes to God’s grace and mercy.

Questions to consider or journal about:

• Have you ever experienced this kind of judgment from someone else who scrutinized you without looking first at themselves? How did that make you feel?

  
  

• Have you ever been on the side of judging someone and later realized you had no right to do that because of a sin of your own (plank)?

  
  

• What can you do to make sure you have removed the plank from your eye before confronting someone else's actions or behaviors?

  
  

• How can you come alongside someone struggling in some area to be merciful to them as God has been merciful to you and help them in their walk with God in a kind, loving, non-judgmental way? (Rowell 85). 

  
  

• How does knowing that God is the righteous judge who sees the heart make you feel (Acts 17:31)?
  

• Are there any passages that you wonder about and would like to learn more about? And discover how we can apply them to our lives in a real way? Let me know by either adding them to the comments section or emailing me at lynnettebuckministries@gmail.com.

  
  

Rowell, Jeren. These Forty Days: A Lenten Devotional. Kindle ed., The Foundry Publishing, 2015.