Judge Not Blog

“Judge not, that you be not judged (Matthew 7:1).

Now, what could be clearer than that?

To add emphasis, our Lord Jesus explained that we are liable to hypocrisy in attempting to judge, since we ourselves are not without sin. Therefore, any judgment presumably must occur only after finding and disposing of our own “plank” in our eye. That being the case, it seems clear that none of us should judge, or perhaps even ever attempt to judge another.

Later, in the Epistle to the Romans, chapter two, verses one and two, we again seem to be subject to error in judging another. Indeed, that is exactly what many well-meaning Christians insist is the case. It seems a cardinal rule not to cast a judgment or even an opinion on an individual or a group. If we do, we are immediately hauled up short with this verse in the Gospel of Matthew.

“How dare you?”, they say, while remaining sublimely oblivious to the fact that he or she is judging us at that very moment!

Of course, they may respond that they are simply following the Lord’s command in judging us; okay. Still, the question persists, were we (and they) honest and accurate in our original judgment? Let’s ponder that a bit.

Interestingly, in this very discourse (the Sermon on the Mount), we are often called upon to make a judgment. In fact, shortly after verse one, we are directed, in verse six, not to “give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast (y)our pearls before swine…” How can we accomplish that, without making some sort of judgment? Later, in verse fifteen, we are warned to “beware of false prophets…” Well, how can we do that without judging?

The rejoinder is usually, “Read on, my friend. You will see that you can evaluate their message by the fruits of that message.” Okay; but, doesn’t that require some sort of judgment (at least on the fruits) on our part?

In Second Thessalonians, chapter three, verses six, and ten through fourteen, how can this be accomplished without judging? In our culture today, we are often called out when we say that homosexuality, “same-sex marriage,” and all the misbegotten offspring (transsexual, bisexual, identity, etc.) are wrong. We are immediately informed that, as Christians, we have no right to render such judgments. We are being harsh and judgmental where we should be practicing Christian charity and tolerance.

Let’s consider a few other passages that may shed a bit of light on the issue of judging. Galatians 1:8-9: In verse eight, we are directed to let one “be accursed” if he dares to promote “any other gospel….” This is reinforced and re-emphasized in verse nine. That seems like a very strong judgment! Should we not rather let the person alone and wait for the Lord to sort out his false message?

Or how about Galatians 2;11 and following, where Paul publicly calls out Peter for his hypocritical stance. Was Paul right in doing this? Is he not wrong in making that judgment? What about the passage in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5? Paul makes a strong judgment on a person and calls upon the local fellowship to make a harsh judgment, turning the offender over to Satan. And, Paul chastises the group severely for their “tolerance” in this matter. Was he wrong in all this?

Another case in point: 1 Timothy 4:7, where we read, “But reject profane and old wives’ fables…,” which problems include some very serious issues (verses one through three.) How can we do this without rendering judgment? Or, 2 Timothy 4:10, 14-15. Are these not judgments? Is Paul wrong in making such judgments? Of course, he was an Apostle, so perhaps it does not apply? And, we are not Apostles, so we should not dare to make such judgments, should we? But, are we not called to render such judgments?

There are multitudes of other examples in Scripture, but perhaps you begin to get the point. In fact, the Epistles are chockful of demands to evaluate and make judgments as a Christian. We cannot live without making such judgments. Indeed, much of Christian living and sanctification requires making judgments again and again.

One little example from my pastoral experience may be helpful here. One night in a church where I had been asked to teach on “Christian Cults,” I attempted to explain as kindly, honestly, and fairly as I could where several such cults twisted, misused, or departed from Scripture. Afterwards, a sweet elderly lady came up and questioned my view on Christian Science (Mary Baker Eddy.) Somewhat carelessly and perhaps flippantly, I said something like, “They may be fine folks, but the doctrine is neither Christian nor scientific.” Angrily, she said, “How dare you judge that. I am a Christian Science follower!” I apologized by saying that I meant no insult to her or her group, but that these were demonstrably true points. I attempted to explain why that is so. I’m afraid I didn’t make a friend that evening.

So, what did Jesus mean by His statement in the Sermon on the Mount?

I believe His point is that we are not to be the judge of anybody, for we are not qualified to be a judge. There is one Judge only, and that is God. However, whatever God has judged (as recorded in Scripture, we must agree with and act in harmony with God’s judgment. If God has judged something or someone, we are obligated to line up with His judgment.

For instance, in the case of homosexuality noted earlier, God’s judgments on this act are very clear. Check these out: Genesis 19:15; Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13; and Judges 19:27. But, you may say, these are from the Old Testament and don’t apply to Christians. Really? The Genesis passage certainly precedes the Mosaic Law. The Judges passage deals with a problem of that time. Can anyone find any passage of Scripture which affirms homosexuality as a good or acceptable behavior? And, doesn’t God’s clear intention concerning sexuality and marriage in Genesis 1:26-27 and 2:18-24 apply?

These passages were from the time of Creation. Did God create a third “gender” that had identical features to Adam and Eve, but was not called on to “be fruitful and multiply,” since that would be impossible for them? The only way for homosexuals to multiply is through enlisting others (a là the Shaker Community) to join them, or by adopting some of the progeny of Adam and Eve. If so, why didn’t God somewhere make this third “gender” known? Why would He be so against this in the Old Testament.

But, of course, we Christians are not limited to the Old Testament. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9, where Paul names both types of homosexual (“homosexuals” - this term refers to the one taking the “female” role), and “sodomites,” referring to the male role in physically mating). Paul is clearly being quite pejorative in this passage.

Check out 1 Timothy 1:10, where sodomites are listed in very bad company. The strongest condemnation is in Romans 1:24-26, where the basis for homosexuality is given in 1:19-22, and the outcome is seen in verses 24, 26, and 28.

Homosexuals often insist that the sin here is simply that some heterosexuals crossed over into homosexual “territory,” and some homosexuals pretended to be heterosexual. Paul, they say, is condemning them for not following their “natural” bent. Really? Then, God really did create a third “gender,” while using the pattern of physical male and female? Did God also intend that such a “gender” must die out, since it COULD NOT “be fruitful and multiply.” How can one make clear words of Scripture so twisted for one’s own purposes? Yet, this is what some homosexuals do.

Additionally, in the Genesis 19 account, they insist that the sin of the men of Sodom was in not being hospitable! They weren’t homosexual; they were just rude. Read that passage again, and see what nonsense that is.

Further, if they argue that they are the product of Evolution, they should put their wills in order promptly. According to the fundamental axioms of human evolution, they are doomed to an early extinction, since they cannot fulfill the basic requirement of propagation.

The teaching of Matthew 7:1 is that we ought not judge what God has not judged, but we are obliged to line up with the judgments that God has proclaimed. Granted, that is not always easy to grasp or do. There are “gray” or unclear areas. In these we should cautiously search the Scriptures to discern basic principles, and we should not be dogmatic where Scripture is not dogmatic.

Certainly, we Christians have not always handled this issue of judgment well. For instance, many assert or demand certain behaviors in matters such as smoking, drinking of wine, dress styles, types of church organization or government. We may be free to hold our views, but Scriptural absolutes appear to be in short supply.

Interestingly enough, obesity is called a sin (look it up).

The point is that where God judges, we align with Him. Where He doesn’t, we set standards that we believe are in harmony with His Word. We are free to do this, while not condemning or judging other Christians for holding other views on such matters. I believe that captures the essence of what the Lord Jesus was teaching.

Hopefully, you’ll find this helpful. I’d be interested in your reactions (assuming they are not too judgmental. Bill.