Judge carefully!

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37)

I’ve often heard people say, “Judge not! The Bible says that!” But, they are only half right. The Bible doesn’t tell us not to judge, because you have to make judgements, you just want them to be good judgements. In life you must discern and judge what is truth.

Be careful how you judge

We’re taught in the Bible to be careful when we judge others, to be kind, be truthful, and be very accurate, and without anger and selfish motives. We also shouldn’t judge others if we’re doing the same things. And we’re told to be careful how we judge others because God will use that as a measuring stick right back to us.  

“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?” (Rom. 2:1-3)

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matt. 7:1-2)

Be a good and wise judge

Be careful, be discerning, and be wise, before you judge.

·      Be a fruit inspector

 “You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?.” (Matt. 7:16 ESV)

·      Don’t judge by appearances alone, get all the facts

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24 ESV)