That is Matthew 7:1.
It is one of the few scriptures that even unbelievers know (at least partially) and combatively try to use to their advantage. A lot of the time, they never get past "Judge not!"
However even in its entirety, they use it as an attempted gotcha! against Christians as an "It says so in your holy book. Or don't you believe your book?"
I have even heard this passage used on occasion by some Christians who are pushing a point of tolerance and acceptance in much the same vein as unbelievers do.
Unfortunately when it is used, it is almost always used incorrectly and out of context. A lot of the time it is used to say the bible means we shouldn't judge people at all. Even from just a logical point, that is silly and doesn't withstand even elementary examination.
People use judgement every day. For instance:
+ you judge whether or not to befriend someone.
+ you judge between relationship partners.
+ you judge whether to continue relationships.
+ you judge between potential marital partners.
+ you judge between job applicants.
+ you judge between opponents at voting booths.
+ you judge whether to believe or disbelieve someone's excuses.
And there is of course the profession of Judge which executes adjudication between right and wrong, legal and illegal, moral and immoral. Found on the discriminated end of a contest or the victim of someone's villainy, the same people crying "You shall not judge!" will certainly be crying out for judgement.
There are many legitimate judgements we make every day. If we didn't, we'd face absolute chaos.
So, let’s look at Jesus’ words in their context:
"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, 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 brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5)
The key to the context is found at the beginning of verse 5: hypocrisy.
As Jesus said, we are not to judge hypocritically. For example, if we have a problem – such as sexual sins – then we shouldn’t judge others for their problem of lust. The consequence of hypocritical judgement is in verse 2.
"For in the way you judge, you will be judged."
If you are guilty of corruption or theft, then what legal or moral ground would you have to stand in accusation against someone who is corrupt or a thief? You would be as guilty as they are regardless of whether the values of theft or level of corruption. A man who steals $10 is a thief; a man that embezzles $10,000,000 is a thief; equally guilty of the sin even if unequal in ill-gotten gain.
Jesus is saying that we are to address our own problem first. Once we've dealt with it in our own life by the grace of God, then we are in a position to judge their problem with the goal of helping them through it too.
Much in the same way that airline flight attendants tell you that in the case of an in-flight emergency that causes the cabin pressure to drop and the oxygen masks deploy, you are to put your own mask on first so that you are then in a position to help those around you.
God alone has the right to judge and ultimately condemn, so outside of our established judicial system (which is also supposed to be wise and impartial), our judgment it isn’t about condemning. Our judgement is with the intent to identify sin and wrong-doing, expose it in the light of God’s word, and render help to turn away from it. It certainly isn’t about pointing out someone’s fault in order to degrade them or elevate ourselves.
Leviticus 19:5 says to judge your neighbor fairly.
Leviticus 19:15 says not to do injustice in judgement and to not show partiality.
Zechariah 8:15 says to judge with truth.
Furthermore, John records more of Jesus’ instruction to us on the subject:
“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge righteously.” (John 7:24)
It has been asked of me, “What does that mean to judge righteously?”
Where does righteousness come from?
Righteousness comes from God through Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22).
How do we learn righteousness?
We learn it through God’s word (2 Timothy 3:16).
A passing familiarity with God’s word isn’t good enough for judging righteously. The author of Hebrews shows us that we need to study the deeper issues of God’s word so that we are able to use discernment (to judge righteously).
For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (Hebrews 5:13-14)
Therefore by biblical direction, we are in fact instructed to judge, but we are to judge honestly, fairly, and righteously in accordance with God’s word to discern good and evil.
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