It's not always wrong to judge

It has been said, sarcastically, the first words of Matthew 7 form the only text of Scripture that every unbeliever has memorized. “Judge not, lest you be judged.” (Fun fact: there is no English translation of the Bible that actually uses those words. So when you hear this, it’s a misquotation.)

This topic demands some study, but the problem boils down to this: Our culture does not use the term “judge” the way the Bible does.

The culture now calls every form of criticism “judging.” I can’t openly disagree with any of your words, actions, or choices, much less say they are wrong, without being accused of judging you.

The Bible’s discussion, on the other hand, is diverse. It doesn’t always use “judge” in the same way. It has a range of meanings; but, that range never includes simple disagreement or critique. In all our reading, we have to allow the context to determine what is meant.

For instance, if we keep reading the words of Jesus that were misquoted above, we see he was talking about hypocrisy, and not merely pointing out something wrong. His warning was about calling our neighbor to repentance when our own sins are worse.

When we turn from our sins, we will be able to help others do the same. (Matthew 7:1-5)

True enough, there is a sense in which judgment belongs to God alone. Only the Lord knows the heart, and he is the only one who can pass judgment regarding our eternal destinies. (Revelation 2:23)

There are other senses, however, in which we are called to judge here and now. The same Jesus who said, “Judge not,” also urged his hearers to judge with righteous judgment. (John 7:24)

Christians are repeatedly commanded to confront sinful behavior. See for instance Matthew 18:15-17; 1Corinthians 5:3-5; and, Galatians 6:1.

In fact, judging the rightness of one thing over another is unavoidable. The question is not whether to judge, but how. We each make countless choices every day. Every decision comes down to an internal judgment about what we desire the most, or what we believe to be moral or needful.

Christian evangelist, Sye Ten Bruggencate, was confronted by an atheist who told him that he should stop judging people. Bruggencate asked, “So, you’re saying it’s wrong to tell people to stop doing wrong?”

“Yes,” said the atheist.

“Stop judging me, sir,” said the preacher and went back to preaching.

Even the act of determining that someone is being sinfully judgmental is itself a judgment. Since these moral evaluations are inescapable, the Bible commands us to judge based upon the unchanging standard of the word of God. We should use great generosity, compassion, and mercy, certainly, but we can’t avoid making judgments.

You aren’t necessarily being judgmental when you tell someone that they’ve done or said something wrong. Frankly, I realize that the people in my life who really love me are the ones who are not afraid to confront me when I have missed the mark.

Gordan Runyan is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Tucumcari. Contact him at:

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