Misquotedنموونە

The Right Way to Judge

“Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged” (Matthew 7:1 CSB) is one of the most quoted and misused verses in scripture. Many people take it to mean we should never judge anyone for anything, as if Jesus was commanding total silence about right and wrong. But when we look at the context, we see that Jesus is not prohibiting all judgment. He is warning against hypocritical condemnation.

We all know how easy it is to judge others by their actions while excusing ourselves by our intentions. Someone cuts us off in traffic, and we assume they are reckless. But if we cut someone off, we justify it by saying we were late or distracted. Jesus calls this out in Matthew 7 verses 3–4 (CSB) when He talks about ignoring the log in our own eye while pointing out the speck in someone else’s. The problem is not that we discern, but that we do it with pride and double standards.

That is why Jesus tells us to examine ourselves first. Only when we are humble about our own shortcomings can we help others deal with theirs. Judging rightly means confronting sin, but doing so with love, gentleness, and honesty.

Galatians 6:1–2 (CSB) says that when someone is caught in sin, those who are spiritually mature should restore them with a gentle spirit and help carry their burden. Ignoring sin out of fear of “judging” may feel easier, but it is not loving.

At the same time, Jesus reminds us that all of us will one day be judged by God. Acts 10:42 (CSB) says that Christ has been appointed as the judge of the living and the dead. This means we cannot excuse our own sin by saying “only God can judge me,” as if that were good news. A holy God will judge us rightly. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus has taken our judgment on Himself, so we can stand forgiven and free.

Matthew 7:1 (CSB) is not a call to abandon discernment. It is a warning to avoid self-righteous condemnation. In the same sermon, Jesus sums up the Law and the Prophets with the Golden Rule: “Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12 CSB).

To judge rightly is to love rightly, with humility and grace. We are not called to pretend sin does not exist but to address it in the way we would want someone to address us, with truth, compassion, and mercy.

Remember, Matthew 7:1 is not a prohibition against discerning right from wrong; it is a warning against hypocritical condemnation.

Reflection Question: Where are you tempted to judge others harshly while excusing yourself? How can you practice loving discernment instead of hypocritical condemnation this week?

Prayer: Father, thank you that you are a just and righteous Judge. Forgive me for the ways I criticize others while excusing my own faults. Jesus, thank you for taking my judgment on the cross so I can be forgiven. Holy Spirit, give me humility to examine myself first, and courage to speak the truth in love when it helps others follow you. Amen.