Judging

Judging

Introduction: The Misunderstood Command

Many people today quote Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that you be not judged," as if it were a command against all forms of judgment. But is that truly what Jesus meant? If we keep reading, we find that Jesus is not forbidding judgment, but rather hypocritical, self-righteous judgment. We are, in fact, commanded in scripture to make righteous judgments. This lesson seeks to clear up the confusion and restore the biblical view of judgment.

The Command to Judge Righteously

John 7:24 says, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." Here, Jesus explicitly commands judgment—but it must be righteous, not superficial. To make righteous judgments, one must use God’s standard, not personal opinion. Righteous judgment is based on truth, not assumption. It discerns between right and wrong with humility and reverence.

Psalm 119:172 says, "My tongue shall speak of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness." If we are to judge righteously, it must be according to the Word of God.

Jesus Himself gave an example of right judgment in Luke 7:40–43. He told Simon a parable of two debtors and asked which one would love more after being forgiven. Simon answered correctly, and Jesus responded, "You have rightly judged." So there is a right kind of judgment.

Hypocritical Judgment Condemned

Matthew 7:1–5 shows Jesus condemning those who judge others while ignoring their own sins. He illustrates this with the speck and the plank. The one with a plank in his eye is in no position to remove a speck from someone else’s eye. Jesus says to first remove the plank, and then you will see clearly to help your brother. That’s not a prohibition against helping your brother—it’s a call to self-examination and humility.

Romans 2:1 echoes this: "You who judge practice the same things." Hypocrisy in judgment is a sin. If we are to correct others, we must also be willing to examine and correct ourselves.

Causes of Wrong Judgment

Why do people fall into the trap of wrongful judging? Jesus reveals one cause in Matthew 7:3—diverting attention from one’s own sins. Pointing out small faults in others can be a way to ignore or feel better about our own larger sins.

Another cause is hypocrisy. Brother Wendell Winkler wrote: “While seeing a fault in the life of a person he envies or dislikes, he will condemn it—whereas he will let the same offense go unheeded in one whom he loves.” That is a clear picture of hypocrisy: pretending to abhor evil but tolerating it when it suits us.

Paul addresses this again in Romans 2:1–3. He says those who judge others for sins they themselves commit are inexcusable. God’s judgment is according to truth, and no one will escape it by pretending to be better than they are.

Still others judge out of envy and hatred. Envy led King Saul to try to kill David. When our hearts are filled with malice or jealousy, we may lash out at others unjustly.

What’s the Cure for Unrighteous Judgment?

First, love. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us love is kind, not envious, not rude, and thinks no evil. That alone would cure much of the world’s harsh, critical spirit.

Second, practice the Golden Rule. Matthew 7:12 says, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them." We could apply that to judgment: "Whatever judgment you want others to make about you, make about them." Put yourself in their shoes.

Third, self-examination. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves." Before you find fault in others, look within. Let God’s Word shine its light on your own life.

Fourth, look for the good in others. Even flawed people often have admirable traits. Be like Barnabas, the “son of encouragement,” who looked for the good in John Mark when Paul had given up on him.

Fifth, pray. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you." Ask God for the wisdom, compassion, and humility to judge righteously.

Sixth, remember that the person you are judging is your brother. We’re not attacking an enemy; we’re speaking about a fellow child of God. 1 Peter 2:17 says, "Love the brotherhood."

Seventh, remember your judgment might be wrong. John 1:46 records Nathanael saying, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" He was wrong. How often have you misjudged someone’s actions or motives and later found out you were completely wrong?

Lastly, remember that how you judge is how you’ll be judged. Matthew 7:2 says, "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged." If we are harsh and unforgiving, God will measure the same standard back to us.

Matthew 12:34–37 reminds us that our words—including our judgments—will be judged by God. "By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Idle, malicious, unjust speech will not be overlooked.

Conclusion: Judge With Righteous Judgment

Judging is not forbidden. What is forbidden is wrong judging—harsh, hypocritical, hasty, unjust, malicious judgment. But righteous judgment is commanded. It is necessary for protecting the church, restoring the fallen, and upholding God’s truth. Let us judge as Jesus did—with truth, love, and humility.

Sermon Outline

I. Introduction: Misuse of Matthew 7:1

• Common misunderstanding in religious culture
• True meaning in context

II. The Command to Judge Righteously

• John 7:24
• Psalm 119:172
• Jesus’ example in Luke 7

III. Hypocritical Judgment Condemned

• Matthew 7:1–5
• Romans 2:1–3
• Jesus’ parable of the speck and the plank

IV. Causes of Fault-Finding

• Diverting from personal sin (Matthew 7:3)
• Hypocrisy (Romans 2:1)
• Envy and hatred (Saul and David)

V. Cure for Wrong Judgment

• Love (1 Corinthians 13)
• Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12)
• Self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5)
• Seeing the good (Barnabas)
• Prayer (Matthew 7:7)
• Brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17)
• Admitting fallibility (John 1:46)
• Consequences of judgment (Matthew 7:2; Matthew 12:36–37)

VI. Conclusion: Judge Righteously

• Not prohibited—commanded with conditions
• Let love, humility, and God’s Word guide your judgment

Call to Action

Do not be silent in the face of sin—but do not be reckless in your judgments either. Examine your heart. Examine God’s Word. Judge with righteous judgment, as Jesus commands. Let your aim be restoration, not destruction. Let your speech be seasoned with grace and truth. Seek God’s help in all things, and let your judgment reflect His righteousness.

Scripture Reference List

• Matthew 7:1–5 – Hypocritical judgment
• John 7:24 – Righteous judgment
• Psalm 119:172 – God’s commandments are righteousness
• Luke 7:40–43 – Jesus commends righteous judgment
• Romans 2:1–3 – Hypocrisy condemned
• 1 Corinthians 13 – Love defined
• Matthew 7:12 – Golden Rule
• 2 Corinthians 13:5 – Self-examination
• Acts 15:36–39 – Barnabas and John Mark
• Matthew 7:7 – Prayer
• 1 Peter 2:17 – Love the brotherhood
• John 1:46 – Nathanael’s error
• Matthew 12:36–37 – Accountability for words

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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