CLAIM: Jesus said, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged” (Mt. 7:1). Does this imply that it is wrong to cast a moral judgment on a person or situation?
RESPONSE: This is not the case. In fact, there are multiple problems with this interpretation of Jesus’ words:
First, this interpretation is self-defeating. When someone says that it is wrong to cast a moral judgment on a person, aren’t they casting a moral judgment themselves? Thus this view is logically incoherent.
Second, Jesus and the apostles regularly judged people. For instance, Jesus asked the evil, religious leaders of his day, “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?” (Mt. 23:33) He also told them that they were children of Satan (Jn. 8:44). Even in the context of Matthew 7, Jesus refers to some people as “dogs” and “pigs” (v.6) and “false prophets” (Mt. 7:15-20). Paul writes that false teachers will be “accursed” (Gal. 1:8), and he rhetorically asks, “Do you not judge those who are within the church?” (1 Cor. 5:12; cf. Phil. 3:2; 1 Jn. 4:1) In fact, Jesus commanded us to judge others, when he said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (Jn. 7:24). How can we claim that moral judgment is unbiblical, when it is so prevalent throughout the Bible? Moreover, can we really state that it is impossible to speak against immoral acts like rape, torture, and murder?
Third, Jesus was attacking HYPOCRISY—not MORAL ACCOUNTABILITY. Jesus’ audience were composed of legalistic Pharisees, who were judging others in a self-righteous manner. In context, Jesus says that before we are fit to judge others, we need to take the log out of our own eye. Otherwise, we are a “hypocrite” (Mt. 7:5). Thus, Jesus isn’t doing away with judgment; he is doing away with hypocritical judgment. As scholar Eric Bargerhuff writes, “Jesus was explicitly rebuking the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who were quick to see the sins of others but were blind and unwilling to hold themselves accountable to the same standard they were imposing on everyone else.”[1]
We might articulate righteous judgment from self-righteous judgment in this way:
Differences between Righteous Judgment and Self-righteous Judgment |
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Righteous Judgment |
Self-righteous Judgment |
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Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (Jn. 7:24).
Paul wrote, “Do you not judge those who are within the church?” (1 Cor. 5:12) |
Jesus said, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 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?” |
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Based on the objective moral imperatives of Scripture. |
Based on the subjective standards of relative comparison and performance. |
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Intended to bring people to the truth of what God says. |
Intended to elevate the righteousness of the person who is admonishing the person in sin. |
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Focuses on the external actions of a believer that can be judged as either right or wrong (e.g. adultery, murder, etc.). |
Focuses on the internal motives of a believer, which only God can truly judge (Jer. 17:9-10; 1 Cor. 4:3-5). |
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Takes into consideration the relative backgrounds and difficulties of others (e.g. the poor, disadvantaged, etc.). |
Judges others’ performance based the opportunities afforded to the individual judging (e.g. “I can do it… Why can’t they?”). |
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Leads to seeking counsel and trying to help the person. |
Leads to gossip and contempt for the person. |
[1] Bargerhuff, Eric. The Most Misused Verses in the Bible: Surprising Ways God’s Word Is Misunderstood. Baker Publishing Group. 2012. 26.