NOT SUPPOSED TO JUDGE?

NOT SUPPOSED TO JUDGE?

One of the most popular passages of scripture quoted today is Matthew 7:1 which says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.”  Is it right for Christians to judge?  Christians are often described as judgmental by others and even by those within the church.  Often this judgment of Christians is warranted.  Christians can be very judgmental.  Of course Christians aren’t the only ones who can be judgmental.

It is ironic that many of the people who quote Matthew 7:1 are judgmental themselves.  In today’s popular culture there isn’t a prohibition against all judging, there are just new rules on what you are or are not allowed to judge.  In the popular culture Christians are judged for making judgments about sexuality and religion!  Those are two issues that are off limits.  It is permissible to make judgments about environmentalism, global warming, homophobia, republicans, democrats, the rich etc…Just don’t judge my sexual lifestyle or my religious beliefs.

Of course the people who preach this judge the religious beliefs, values and practices of those they consider to be bigoted and judgmental.  That is the irony and contradiction of much of today’s conversation on judging.  Now, back to the original question, “Is it right to judge?”  The biblical answer is yes and no.  There are different types of judgments and some are required and some are prohibited.  What type of judgment is Jesus talking about in Matthew 7:1?  The following are six types of judgment:

1. Judicial (Required type of judgment) Legal, Government, Businesses, Organizations, Families and Church (Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Cor. 5:12-13,
   6:1-5).  In the pursuit of justice all of the above must render judgments.  Jesus taught it in Matthew 18 and Paul required it of the Church at Corinth, even in matters of sexual conduct.
2. Opinion (Not a matter of right and wrong)  This is simply a matter of preference—I like it or I don’t like it.
3. Acceptance or Rejection (Wrong type of judgment)  The culture of cool—who is in and who is out.  This is the kind of judgment that pits one group against another typified by the struggles of youth and fitting in to peer groups.  This is a judgmental attitude of superiority. The judgmentalism of superiority and rejection is rooted in pride, shame, and inferiority.  The only true cure is to humbly receive the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
4. Moral and Discerning Judgment (This is expected and required of Christians) Jesus assumes this in Matthew 7:6&15.  Jesus instructs us to remove the speck from our brother’s eye (7:6).  Judging is required in order to identify a false prophet (7:15).  In John 7:24 (ESV) Jesus says, “Do not judge by appearance, but judge with right judgment.”  This is a judgment that is based upon truth.
5. Hypocritical Judgment (This is what Jesus condemns in Matthew 7) There is a failure to first judge oneself.  Jesus says in Matthew 7 to take the beam or plank out of your own eye before you take the speck out of another’s eye (7:3-5).  Paul says that some of the Corinthians had suffered judgment because they did not judge themselves (1 Cor. 11:31).
6. Restorative Judgment (Necessary and required) This judgment is motivated by love.  If you truly love others you will seek to
   correct them and keep them from going down the wrong path.  If you truly love others you will seek to protect them and to ward off dangers that threaten them and others (Matthew 7:5, Gal. 6:1).