It Does Not Mean What You Think It Means: Judge Not!

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Anytime someone takes a stand for biblical truth, and says what the Scripture says, someone will come along and say:

Doesn’t the Bible say not to judge??

At that point I realize that I’m either dealing with an unbeliever or a professed Christian who doesn’t really study their Bible….or better yet, someone who knows that the statement is true, but wants you to shut up and let them sin in peace.

So what does the Bible really say?  One thing we must remember when reading Scripture is that you always have to read it in context. You cannot just cherry-pick a verse and go running along shouting it at people, and think you have some knowledge. That’s a sure way to prove that you do not.

So with that said, let’s dig a little further into this judging thing.

“Judge not, that you be not judged.” – Matthew 7:1

Look at the whole conversation Jesus is having here:

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:2-5 ESV)

It is plain to see that Jesus is not telling believers not to judge. He is telling them to judge righteously and not hypocritically.  If I’m a liar, I can’t judge you for lying. If I’m fornicating, I better not look down on you for doing the same thing.  I first have to recognize and repent of that sin in my life, before I can say anything to anyone else.

Notice Jesus says to first take the log out of your own eye, then you can see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s.  He did not say to leave the speck in your brother’s eye.

Let’s get it straight: EVERYONE SINS.  So it does not mean that because I’m a sinner, I can’t tell you that you’re a sinner. It means that if I make sin a practice and I don’t realize my need for repentance and forgiveness, I definitely can’t say a word to anyone else about what they do.

Believers ought not look down on anyone because of their sins.  But for the grace of God go I and such were some of you, etc.  So if you find yourself on a high horse, looking down at someone because they sin, I’ma need you to consider the grace the Lord Jesus showed you and continues to show you every day.

Yes, there are judgmental people out there. But if you get offended because someone says what the Bible says, they’re not judgmental. You just don’t want to hear the truth.

I’m not judging you. I’m merely telling you what the judge has already said.

I know there are plenty of verses that people take out of context. This one irks me the most. But what about you? What verses have you heard folk use and they clearly don’t know what it means?  Leave a comment and maybe I’ll discuss those verses, one by one, in future posts!