Judge Not?

So, how many times have we heard that believers are not supposed to judge?  I mean, it says it right there in Matthew right?

“Judge not, that you be not judged."
Matthew 7:1 ESV

Unfortunately, that is usually all that people quote from the passage and it simply isn't enough to grasp what Jesus is teaching.  Remember that a text without context is only pretext for a proof text.  Lets look at the whole of the passage...

We are inside the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus is teaching about a great number of things.  He just finished telling people not to be anxious when he launches into this section:

Judge not, that you be not judged.  

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.  

Why do you see 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,’ when there is the log 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.

So, read in context we can see that Jesus is speaking about something very particular.  He is talking about hypocrisy.  It isn't that Jesus is trying to make a blanket comment that no one can judge ever.  In fact, he goes on in verse 15 of the same chapter to say:

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits. 


Obviously, a person would have to observe a prophet and make judgement upon their teachings and their actions to make the JUDGEMENT if they were a false prophet or not.

Scripture clarifies itself later in when Paul writes that believers are called upon to exercise church discipline against unrepentant sinners in our midst (1 Cor 5:9-13) while affirming that we should not be hypocrites (Romans 2:1-2).

So, its not wrong to preach truth.  Proclaiming biblical truth isn't the type of judging that Jesus condemns, unless the person speaks in hypocrisy.

But, as a closing note...it is always important that we speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15).  We must remember that the world is a dynamic place made up of people who deal with real struggles, therefore our truth should be expressed with care and love.

It is possible to express truth in a loving way, although you should be expectant that many will not see the love because they so vehemently disagree with the truth that it carries.  Stay in tune with the Spirit and continue to run the race regardless of the obstacles.  Finish well, and keep those specks and logs from out of your own eyes.