Matthew 7:1 (NKJV)
“Judge not, that you be not judged.”
Many times this verse is used toward Christians as a defense of someone’s behavior, often by someone who does not follow Christ. It is almost as if no one has a right to tell anyone else what to do. In reality, I think this verse and those that follow, are a clear reminder of who the judge is in this world and how we, as ambassadors of Christ, are to view and interact with others. In full context, I think this verse is a call for self-examination, love and understanding and a warning that if we do judge, we will be judged by that same standard.
My Bible shows that the word “judge” is really “condemn”. That provides more clarity for me. If I warn someone that a bridge is out, that is not judgment. That is a warning. There is a clear difference. We want to encourage each other toward holiness but not in a condemning tone. There is a difference. As we interact with others, we want to listen and respond in grace. If we are offended or hurt by someone’s words, we are not to pass judgement on them. If we see them do something “unchristian” we don’t write them off.
I see passing judgment as personal. It puts us in the position of authority over someone else. It might include the internal assassination of their character. Judging thinks of them in a negative light. Judgement looks at the actions and labels them as purposeful, personal, and/or inconsiderate and places a mark against the individual, almost like a permanent scarlet letter on their forehead.
Grace labels the actions as unintended, general, accidental and/or potentially a result of a hard or stressful day. Grace recognizes that the behavior is a single event and not permanent. Grace leaves the character of the individual in tact and leaves no long-term mark. It recognizes we are all human. Grace lets God handle it.
I think the surrounding verses lay out the difference in our interactions with those in the faith and those outside of the faith. I hope you will read through the first six verses to get the full picture and see if you agree. In the end, I think if we understand our position in Christ, recognize that we are all in this together and choose love in our interactions, we can prevent judging. Otherwise rejection will beget rejection, hurt will beget hurt, hate will beget hate, sorrow will beget sorrow and the consequences of judging will never end. Speck meet log. Log meet speck.
Did you have a long day and are a little irritable? I have those sometimes. So I’ll choose to not judge you. I’ll choose to love you even though you just spilled attitude all over me. I’ll choose to show grace and think thoughts about you and for you that have their foundation in grace, not judgement. I will think good of you despite the incidental undesirable circumstances. One day I may spill attitude on you. I hope you will choose to respond with grace toward me. Then we can both honestly say that we don’t judge.