Matthew 7 - http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%207&version=ESV
"Judge not, lest ye be judged." This verse has become the most quoted passage in all of Scripture, which makes it, perhaps, the most misinterpreted passage of Scripture. To paraphrase Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride: "You keep using that verse. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Let me explain what I mean. Often when people quote this passage it is as a defense to say that a person should not "judge" whether another person's behavior is moral or not. It get's used when discussions of right and wrong, good and evil, and just and unjust are taking place. In a sense, it is used as an arguement to excuse people's behaviors, misinterpreted to mean that we should never call sin, "Sin," or confront it.
The context of the passage does not allow for that. Read on, dear friend, and see what Jesus talks about. He talks about specks and logs in eyes. He's saying we should recognize our own sin and guilt - judge ourselves. But by what standard? What measure do we use to judge our own lives? Holy Scripture, which then is the same measure we should apply to others.
Jesus goes on and talks about not giving dogs what is holy, or throwing pearls to pigs. He is calling us to judge when people are dogs and pigs (which are not nice things to be called). He declares that we are evil. That is a judgement! He warns about false prophets, sheep's clothing and ravenous wolves. How do we tell one from another? Jesus says to look at the fruit. We have to judge. What is more, He says that people will come to Him and call, "Lord, Lord!" but He will state that He never knew them. Shall we not apply the standard of Scripture - the same measure we are called to use to measure ourselves - to measure the teachers we listen to?
No, this passage does not mean that we should never judge. It is a passage that speaks against hypocrissy. Our judgement is not based on our ideas or opinions, it is rooted in the judgements and declarations of God in His Word. What is essential to keep in mind as we apply those measures is that God's judgement against sin ultimately fell upon Jesus, and that leads us to respond to people in mercy. As we deal with people who are trapped in sin, we are dealing with people who have the same weakness and failing as we do. This is a call to show compassion and mercy to others and remember that God's judgement on us is that all who believe in Jesus are holy, righteous, and forgiven.
Lord, help me remember Your judgement; that my sin is condemned and killed in Jesus, and I am forgiven because of Him. Help me share that hope with others You bring into my life. Amen.
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