Would you eat kiwi? Are you interested in driving a Yugo? Have you thought about living in Russia? Guess what you have just done? You have judged. The biblical definition of “judge” means to separate, to pick out, select, or choose. The word judge is also tied to having discernment. In terms of our thought, “Only God Can Judge Me”, it leads us to understand that there exists a correct and an incorrect form of judgement. There is man’s judgement and then there is God’s judgment. Many people who flippantly use the phrase, “Only God Can Judge Me”,try to silence their critics or their haters in order to avoid hearing the truth or the opinion of others. Paul addressed this in Romans chapter 2 verses 6-8 when he said, “He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.” When someone judges another person righteously there is always time for that person to repent of his or her wrong. However, when God judges you that is it- heaven or hell; no do overs.

     So many times, people will jump straight to Matthew 7:1 and they misquote that. Nevertheless, upon examining Matthew chapter 7, we can also gain insight into Jesus’ teachings on the topic of judging. As verses 1 and 2 inform us, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.” Jesus had already emphasized the importance of a righteousness that surpasses that of the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew chapter 5. He was basically saying that people desire to make themselves more righteous in order to judge others. Then Jesus goes on to say in verse 3, “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” Jesus is addressing the issue of self-righteousness in this passage. Continuing with verses 4 and 5 it states, “How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” Yes, it is hypocritical when we can find a way to ignore our own sins but notice the shortcomings in others. Jesus is clearly talking about our motives and our hearts when we “judge” someone.

     Unfortunately, as Christians, we are often accused of “judging” or intolerance when we speak out against sin. But opposing sin is not wrong. Anything that contradicts the truth is a lie. So, when Jesus said not to judge others, He did not mean that no one can identify or point out sin for what it is, based on God’s definition of sin. Jesus is saying we need to look at our own sins first before judging someone else. We are to judge fairly and righteously, as Jesus said in John 7:24.

       Finally, when we examine judging in context, we will learn that the key principle here is simple: Jesus requires true followers to apply His teachings first to themselves and then to others with love, truth, and wisdom.