Many people (both Christians and
non-Christians) tend to fall into this kind of judgment problem, if they are
not careful to check the facts carefully. For example, one should not judge a
person based upon the group to which he belongs. Not all Muslims are
terrorists. Not all Christians are hypocrites. Not all atheists practice
rampant immorality. Notice that the verse does not tell us not to judge at all,
but to judge according to righteousness. If we cannot verify the truth about an
accusation, we should keep our mouths shut. For this reason, you will not find
any personal judgments about others on this website. This does not mean that we
will not dispute the facts or opinions expressed by certain individuals.
However, such critiques are not personal attacks, but are usually related to a
defense of the Christian faith.
In
the Sermon on the Mount Jesus actually had a lot more to say about judging
others than just one sentence. Here is the verse in context of the other things
Jesus said about judging others:
"Do
not judge so that you will not be judged. "For in the way you judge, you
will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
"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? "Or how can you say to your
brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is 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 7:1-5)
One
of the most often cited verses in which Jesus supposedly tells people not to
judge each other is the one in which a woman was caught in adultery. Since it
is good to read the story in context, it is reproduced in its entirety here:
Early
in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to
Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees
brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the
court, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery,
in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what
then do You say?" They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might
have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote
on the ground. But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and
said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to
throw a stone at her." Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. When
they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones,
and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the
court. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no
one condemn you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said,
"I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more." (John 8:1-11)
Why do Christians make moral judgments? The Bible commands people of faith (both Christians and Jews) to make moral judgments. The Old Testament tells us to warn those who practice wicked things to turn from their evil ways.6 Jesus asked people why they would not judge what was the right thing to do,7 and instructed believers to admonish those brothers who practice sin.8 Paul reprimanded the Church at Corinth for not judging sin within their assembly.9 In fact, the Church is directed to condemn and remove sin from among its ranks first and foremost.10 The news media loves to point out sin committed by famous pastors and other hypocritical Christians. However, we are admonished that we need not judge individuals outside the church, since they be judged by God.11
“Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.” (Blaise Pascal)
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