What Does “Judge Not” Really Mean?

I believe that the single Bible verse most taken out of its context in Matthew 7:1:

Judge not that you be not judged.

Often a person will employ this verse to defend sinful behavior, but such is not the meaning at all.  The Bible actually encourages us to look at the behavior of others.

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him – Titus 3:10

Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:20 (Speaking of false prophets)

Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. – Hebrews 13:7

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not bring death, he should ask, and God will give life to him… 1 John 5:16a

We are not judging when we measure our life and the lives of others against the plain teaching of Scripture.  Judging occurs rather when we make value judgments and assume that we know the heart and motives behind the actions of others.  We are encouraged to observe the behavior of others but we must NEVER assume to know their heart.

In addition, this verse is part of a larger passage of Scripture (Matthew 7:1-5) that encourages us to examine our own hearts before judging the hearts of others.  We must not overlook the Biblical admonition to remove the foul motives of our own hearts.  When we do, we more accurately see the hearts of others.  In fact, when we remove our own foul motives (the beam) we recognize that the motives of others were nobler than we imagined (only a speck).

So the true applications of these verses would include

1. Don’t be so quit to assume to know the heart of others, and
2. Be careful to examine your own heart.

God’s Eye Surgery

Last week, my sister had eye surgery to repair a detached retina.  She had lost the ability to see certain parts of her vision field in the one eye and often saw “floaters” – small moving spots that appear in your vision field. Thankfully, she had a great surgery and is on the road to recovery.

As I sat in the waiting room during her surgery, God began to stir in my heart my spiritual vision.  Over the last several days, I have read and meditated on some wonderful passages of Scripture that deal with vision.

Then came Tuesday…

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.  – Matthew 7:3-5

That verse made a spiritual incision that cut straight to my heart.  God challenged me in a most uncomfortable but absolutely necessary way. Just in case I was slow to get the message, God brought a confirming Word Tuesday evening at a conference I was blessed to attend.  

One of the dangers of ministry is that we spend so much time helping others with their issues and problems, their “specks,” that we fail to deal with our own “logs.”  Pointing to others, addressing others’ shortcomings, dealing with the imperfections of those around me can distract me from allowing God to deal with my own issues.

I can’t see clearly enough to blame others and their faults or to help them until first I have dealt with my own.  I invite you to join me.  Then together we can see clearly and enjoy the view of the glory of God.