“Do Not Judge”
Matthew 7:1
Jesus said, “Judge not that you be not
judged.” (Matt. 7:1). Often, these words have been used to justify
immorality, or at least suggested that immorality ought to be ignored because to
speak negatively about sin is to judge. But this is not what Jesus had in mind
at all!
Jesus was not condemning all judgments which we may make. In fact, He commands
us to make judgments. On one occasion, He told us “Do not judge according to
appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24). What Jesus was
doing was not condemning all judging, but only a certain kind of judgment. He
also commanded that we judge righteously.
Back in Matthew 7:1-5 we find Jesus was speaking against judging with
hypocritical attitudes. We need to be aware of our own problems before we can
help another with his. Later in Matthew 7, Jesus tells us to judge between good
and false prophets (vss. 15-20). The Bible also tells us “not to participate in
the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead, even expose them.” (Eph 5:11).
Jesus never intended for His disciples to shut up and not speak out against sin.
To be faithful followers of the Lord we must use the light of His word, both by
living it ourselves and teaching it to others. His word says so!
By Jon W. Quinn
The Final Page
From Expository Files 17.5; May 2010
