Does the Bible Say “Do Not Judge?”

“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is 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 neighbor’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5

There is a television show I have run into, more like crashed into while I was looking for something “decent” to watch – which usually felt like a losing battle. Anyway, I remember watching just a brief sample of this show when a woman would repeatedly say “Don’t judge me”. Have you ever said that: “Don’t judge me?” Is it biblical? Well, sort of – but it has been taken out of context for so long I don’t think people will believe you if you try to correct them. Let’s consider a few angles on this text.

First of all, for anyone to say to another “Don’t judge me – the bible says you aren’t supposed to judge a person” – well, they are in the act of judging the other person to whom they are uttering those words. You are in the act of pronouncing judgment upon another person when you say “Don’t judge me” – for you in the act of judging them thinking they will judge you. Good G-d almighty, have I made my point?

Second, the bible does not simply say: “Do not judge…” – the scripture above says “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” And in just another verse Jesus says “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.”

It appears that this text is not about judgment, it is about hypocrisy. We are not supposed to be so quick to judge the words or actions of another person until we have our own spiritual and behavioral house in order. In john 7:24, Jesus says “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” If you read a few verses before that passage, Jesus is judging the Jews and the religious leaders telling them they have not kept the law. And he concludes his argument with the words “..judge with righteous judgment.” And this appears to be the key. Jesus is charging all of us to be careful of hypocritical behavior – and hypocritical judgment.

We cannot live in a world without judgment – this is why we have court systems and people who are supposed to be steeped in-laws and “right” punishments. And those who judge are supposed to expect to be judged with the same judgment they have meted out on others. As Christians we are called to rebuke, when it is necessary – but not in a manner where we believe we are more righteous or are “better” people. If we always remember that we are all “sinful and unclean” and that Jesus teaches us to “…judge with righteous judgment”, then our relationships in the church and in the secular world may be just a little better. Perhaps it is better to leave the judging to G-d, and to be careful and prayerful with our rebuking. And in the meantime make sure we have our spiritual and behavioral houses in order. Good G-d Almighty, don’t judge……

Pastor Dave