Does Jesus Condemn All Judging?
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
“Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matt. 7:1).
Jesus uttered these words when He delivered His great “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5-7). As the Judge, He has the right to instruct mankind as to what is acceptable and what is unacceptable.
On the Day of Judgment, all people will stand before the “judgment seat of Christ” to give an account of what they have done (2 Cor. 5:10). He will “judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:30-31) and the standard of judgment will be His words (John 12:48).
It is extremely important that we understand what Jesus said and meant when He said, “Judge not.”
Did Jesus condemn all types of judgment or does this statement mean we are never allowed to judge others?
The Kind of Judgment Jesus Condemns.
As we look to the surrounding context, we see Divine instructions regarding judgment (Matt. 7:1-6).
The word used for “judge” comes from the Greek word “krino.” Out of the 194x the word “judge” is used in the New Testament, “krino” is used 90x. It means, “to evaluate; to form a critical opinion of something by examination or scrutiny; to judge with the purpose of condemning.”
Notice the purpose and motive behind this judging is to condemn. Jesus said, “judge not” meaning we do not have the right to judge unjustly or to offer unjust criticism because prejudice is unfair.
The word “prejudice” means to “pre-judge.” In other words, you make your mind up by looking at one’s appearance or by hearing certain things about them and deciding that they are in the wrong and stand condemned.
Dear reader, the Lord is condemning this kind of hypocritical judgment, but not all judging is condemned!
The Kind of Judgment Jesus Commands.
Jesus, in this same context, says that we are to judge “prophets” (teachers) to determine whether or not they are speaking truth:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them” (Matt. 7:15-20).
As one Gospel preacher put it, “Christians are to be fruit inspectors!” Jesus said you will know a false teacher “by their fruits.” A good tree bears good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit.
We have a responsibility to put what is taught to the test! The standard is the Word of God (1 John 4:1).
If all judging is wrong, how would we determine the difference between a false teacher and one who is teaching truth?
Did you know that the same Jesus Who said “judge not” also said, “judge righteous judgment?” Consider what the Holy Spirit says:
“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24).
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were jealous and angry that Jesus had come and was teaching what he taught. They judged hypocritically and unjustly saying, “He has a demon” (John 7:20). Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance but judge with righteous judgment,” or “judge fairly.”
If all judging is condemned, why does Jesus say, “judge righteous judgment?”
All those who strive to live for God are to put things to the test. In fact, the apostle Paul taught the brethren in Thessalonica to, “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). In order to “hold fast what is good” I need to be able to “test all things” to see whether or not they are good!
The word “test” (documatzo) means to “observe, check out, and look over carefully to inspect.” This is a form of judging.
In our study today, we have noticed that not all judgment is condemned. The Lord does condemn hypocritical judgment, but righteous judgment is to be practiced.
Ultimately, the Lord is the Judge and He has the final say as His judgment is according to truth (Rom. 2:2)!
May we submit to His word and will in all things!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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It is a very simple assessment to think we should not judge, thanks for this clarification.
We are also told to judge who is a fool and who is wise:
Pro_13:20 He that walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Pro_23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Pro_26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Pro_26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.