“Jesus said not to judge others,” didn’t He? We are often reminded of this because in today’s culture, one thing is made very clear: we aren’t supposed to judge anyone! Of course, sometimes what’s missed here is that those who say this are, in fact, being quite judgmental against those whom they are rebuking. This type of irony is common.
Jesus did not say, “Do not judge” (period). He warned about making bad judgments, not about making any judgments. To say that no judgments can ever be made is untenable and impossible to consistently live with. There is no way to deal with others without making some kind of judgments. Further, verse 6 shows that sometimes we must make judgments about casting our metaphorical pearls before swine. Jesus, then, is warning about judging unfairly, judging hypocritically, and judging hypercritically. He is warning that whatever standard of judgment we use against others will be used against us.
- Judge fairly. Don’t just look at the outward issues (cf. also 1 Sam. 16:6-7). Jesus was misjudged because His opponents only saw the superficial aspects of who He was. Had they looked deeper, they could have known and appreciated Him as they should have. Sadly, their own prejudices blinded them to the truth. Can this happen to us?
- Have pure motives. Make sure your own heart is right before making judgments about others. The greatest motive is love (1 Cor. 13), and we should always seek what is best for others. This includes giving the benefit of any doubt to others.
- Show a spirit of forgiveness. Avoid the carnal “gotcha” mentality of this world. Jesus taught, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions” (Matt. 6:14-15).
- Be cautious about your own problems. Don’t use hypocritical, double standards. This is the point about removing the log from your own eye before trying to remove a speck from another’s. Paul wrote, “Therefore you have no excuse, every one of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things” (Rom. 2:1). He further taught, “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).
- Stay humble. This is the only way to see clearly. God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble (1 Pet. 5:5). The fact that we all have stumbled should keep us humble as we seek grace both for ourselves and others. Arrogant judgment is to be avoided as a sin, but humble judgment in line with God’s will is to be commended.