“Do not judge so that you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1).
This might be the most misused passage of Scripture in the whole Bible. Even non-believers rush to quote it, to assert that a Christian should never question their participation in sinful activities.
But, in many other passages, Christians ARE called to make judgments. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul says, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” In 1 Corinthians 5:7-13, Paul says Christians are “not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person or covetous man or idolater… Do you not judge those who are within the church?… Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.” This requires discerning the rightness and wrongness of our actions, even the rightness and wrongness of other people’s actions. In fact, in the very same sermon (Matthew 7:15-20) Jesus demands His followers make judgments to discern between sheep and wolves in sheep’s clothing. He says, “you will know them by their fruits.” Clearly the Bible speaks approvingly of making judgments.
But there is a difference between making judgments and passing judgment, and it is the latter that Jesus cautions us against. A Christian has no business passing judgment on the eternal destination of another person, for three reasons:
1.) Only God has the power to pass judgment. James 4:12 says, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?” We humans do not have the power to admit to Heaven or cast into Hell. In as clear cut a case as could ever exist, Michael the archangel refused to pass judgment on Satan the fallen angel (Jude 9). So, I am comfortable saying, “if you continue in this behavior, God’s word says you will be lost to Hell.” But we must stop short of saying, “you’re going to Hell.”
2.) Only God reads the heart (2 Chronicles 28:9). We do not have the ability to understand why a person chose to do what he did, what extenuating circumstances or dark hidden secrets exist. “Do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts” (1 Corinthians 4:5). This doesn’t mean we lack confidence in the promises of God, nor lack confidence in our assurance of eternal destination, but we recognize that only God sees the full picture.
3.) Only God is without partiality (Acts 10:34). I am thankful that judgment is entrusted to God alone, because any person would be patient with his friends, and be harsh to strangers. I am confident that whatever God decides on Judgment Day about the people whom I love, it will be the right decision.
So let us discern right and wrong, and declare it with confidence, but steer clear of passing judgment. Furthermore, let us err on the side of mercy in our personal dealings. Being scornful and judgmental shows blindness to our own sins, both those in the past, and those present. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2). How silly and hypocritical it is to shake a finger at someone for doing 70 in a 60, when we just finished a text while driving. Better to knock off the bad behavior ourselves, then be able to caution others about the dangers. Let’s be forgiving toward all. Jesus forgave those who crucified Him, and He expects us to be merciful to those who sin against us. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and He expects us to guide them to salvation, too (Matthew 9:10-13, Galatians 6:1, James 2:13, James 5:19-20).
—John Guzzetta