To Judge or Not to Judge

Many Christians feel it is wrong to Judge - is this a right belief?

So is it true that as Christians we shouldn’t judge others? Many people believe that Matthew 7: 1-2 means that we should under no circumstances judge others.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Let’s face it, it sounds pretty conclusive. However let’s look at in it’s context and also at other parts of the Bible.

So if we take this passage at face value it means that we can never point out a fault in others, even if it is a truly constructive comment. It means that we can not practise any sort of church discipline as that would require some sort of judgement. We would not be able to expose any who teach in in error. We can also not speak out against Christians who live in homosexual relationships, live together outside of marriage or indeed do anything that we believe is contrary to the Christian lifestyle.

So is this right?

Let’s have a look at what James 2: 12-13 says.

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

Does this shed a bit of light on the passage? After all we will all face judgement at some point, whether we judge or not.


If we look at the context of these verses we see that in some cases correct judgement must be made. In Matthew 7: 5-6

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

We see that judgement can be made in the right way. We can take the speck from our brothers eye once we have removed the plank in our own eye. This will involve examining our motives in judging. Are we judging for the furtherance of God’s kingdom or to build ourselves up and make us feel better or look batter.

Verse 6 shows us that we need to make judgement as to who are dogs and who are pigs.

If we look further a field in Matthew 7: 15-20

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise very good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

We can see that we are actively encouraged to judge good prophets from false prophets.

So let’s have a look at other parts of the Bible:

John 7: 24

Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.

So, we are warned to not make wrong judgements, judgements based on appearances. However, we are told to make right judgements.

1 Corinthians 5: 9-13

I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you.

Here is a clear call that we must judge those who call themselves our Christian brothers. Not only are we to judge there actions we are called to harsh action and not even associate with them.

1 John 4: 1

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Testing the spirits requires judgement, not just of the spirit but of the prophet.


What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.