Judge Not (At Least in the Wrong Way) - Matthew 5-7

 Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 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? 4 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? 5 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.

Judge Not (At Least in the Wrong Way)

The majority of people probably know most of the above passage, if not, at least, the theme.   We know that judging others is wrong.   We are taught that, even in the most liberal of homes.  It may not be practiced that much in homes, but it is taught.   Jesus, in the above passage, is teaching those listening to Him that judging others is bad IF you do it without considering your own condition first.  It is important to note that He is not telling NOT to judge.  In fact, on the contrary.  He is telling them the “conditions” in which judging others will be met and what should be done to make sure we honor the fulfillment of God’s Law.   Throughout the Old and New Testament men were actually instructed to judge others.  That was the entire role of the Levites (see the book of Leviticus).   The leaders of Israel were to judge the people (see the book of Numbers).  There is actually an Old Testament book entitled, Judges.  In the New Testament we are also told that judgment is actually a role of the believer in the Church:

Galatians 6:1-3

Romans 16:17-18

1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Ephesians 4:17-32; 5:3

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Titus 3:8-11

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is telling us this about judging others:

1. The way we judge will be the way we are judged.

2. We are to consider our own condition before we judge others.

There is an imperative to “judge not” in the beginning of the passage, that is clear.   But the “for” of verse two tells us why.  It is not because it is “wrong” to judge.   It is because the role of judge is so severe and grave.   Judging is a role Believers will join Christ in the end of time (1 Corinthians 6:2,3).   So, the concept in the above passage is to avoid careless and judgmental judging.  The concept throughout the Scripture is to realize the role and gravity of judging others and the role and responsibility of restoring them to good standing before God.