JUDGING OTHERS

One of the most misunderstood and misapplied passages in all of Scripture may be the warning given by Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount ...

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:1-2

This command was not intended to prohibit us from using godly wisdom to distinguish right from wrong. What was being addressed is the spirit and/or motivation of one's judgment. The Amplified Version interprets Matthew 7:1-2 this way ... 

Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly]. For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you.

This admonition is aimed at the body of believers. Paul said it this way ... For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

The sole purpose of judging a brother is to help him walk in freedom. But how can you come to his aid if you are not free yourself? It is impossible to walk uprightly without a spirit of humbleness. A faithful servant will see himself as clearly as he sees others, recognizing his own sinfulness and need for God’s mercy. 

He hath shown thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8

Pride causes us to criticize and judge so that we feel better about ourselves. This ought not to be so ... 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

Jesus requires true followers to apply His teachings, first to themselves and then to others. When God reveals His truth to us, our immediate response must be, “How does this apply to me? How do I appropriate it in my own life?” 

The command 'judge not, that you be not judged', is meant to keep us from drawing conclusions that are superficial, proud, hypocritical, or self-righteous.