How many times has this been thrown in your face?  "Oh, you are so judgmental!  Haven't you heard not to judge lest you be judged?"  It is not just "Christians" that embrace this rationalized, yet in their minds absolute, assertion but also those who proclaim that they adhere to no religious ideology.  Typically what follows is an attempt to stigmatize you as intolerant and even odious. Sound familiar?   
  

  What is the source for this pervasive claim?  It is a biblical citing of Matthew 7:1 that states; "Judge not, that ye be not judged".  Standing alone it does seem to confirm their allegation.  However, when we review verses one through five we discover the context of this verse and a much clearer message from this passage emerges.  It is not a prohibition against honest judgment, but rather a solemn warning against hypocritical judgment.  In fact, the last statement in verse five commands sincere judgment - "Then thou shalt see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye".   Many who piously quote, “Judge not” out of context do not see their own inconsistency or hypocrisy in judging.  They are making a judgment that we should not judge.  However more importantly, taking verses out of context or reading something into a verse that is not there (eisogesis) is prominent within what is liberally identified as "Christianity" today.

 

  Sound Biblical exegesis (critical explanation or interpretation) has been tossed aside in so many churches for the sake of increasing their congregations.  Success unfortunately is quantified solely upon the scale of a church rather than the spiritual condition of the congregants.  Determining the meaning or interpretation of a verse in scripture requires one to examine the context of the passage, chapter, book and the totality of Scripture to correctly differentiate between truth and fiction, otherwise we are misusing scripture, posing quandaries and leading others astray.      

 

  So does a theme exist in scripture that directs us not to judge?  Let's look at a few declarations from Jesus himself and the apostle Paul.   Jesus commanded, “Judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). Jesus said, “Thou hast rightly judged” (Luke 7:43). The apostle Paul said, “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say” (1 Cor. 10:15). Paul said, “He that is spiritual judgeth all things” (1 Cor. 2:15).  Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets…. you will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15,16).  This is a warning and command from our Lord.  How could we “beware” and how could we know that they are “false prophets” if we did not judge?  The apostle Paul admonished believers, “Now I beseech you, brethren, MARK THEM which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and AVOID THEM. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17,18).  This apostolic command could not be obeyed were it not right to judge. God wants us to know His Word and then test all teachers and teaching by it (remember the Bereans). The apostle John wrote, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test, judge) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). We must judge by God’s Word, not by what appeals to human reasoning as many things seem good to human judgment but are false to the Word of God.  

 

  Scripture does identify limitations of human judgment.  Romans 14 tells us not to judge one’s eating habits (vegetarianism) as does 1 Cor. 10:23-33 (see also Col. 2:16,17).  In 1 Cor. 4:1-5 we are told not to judge someone’s motives; only God can peer into one’s heart and identify the motives that underlie their actions.  And we are also not to judge who is saved; “The Lord knows those who are His” (2Tim 2:19).  Again, only our Lord can see one’s true inner commitment. 

 

  Scripture is clear - judging is appropriate for the Christian.  The greatest peril of our day is not unwarranted judging, but too little judging of spiritual falsehood.