Do not judge—Is that biblical? What does the Bible mean when it says we are not to judge others?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

One of the most misused passages in the Bible is part of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, during which He says, “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). Most people, sadly, stop there. Reading on shows that Jesus was teaching His followers not to judge hypocritically (Matthew 7:2–5). In fact, in the Gospel of John, it is clear Jesus’s meaning is that believers are to “judge with right judgment” (John 7:24). That “right judgment” is based on God’s word, rather than our own opinions (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). In fact, the Lord expects us to discern right from wrong (Isaiah 5:20). Ultimately, God is the Judge of all. He alone can read the hearts of humankind (Psalm 9:7–8; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:5–6).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Only God can accurately judge, for only He sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 139:1, 23–24).
• Though we are not to judge others in the condemnatory sense, we are called to be discerning. We have a responsibility to distinguish good from evil and light from darkness (Isaiah 5:20).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus taught, "Judge not, that you be not judged... Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that 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). This passage is often misused to assert that we cannot call anything wrong. Instead, it means that we should first check our own motives and our hearts for any unrecognized sins before we can help others recognize their sin.
• Jesus told His followers, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (John 7:24).
• First Corinthians 2:14–16 says, "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 'For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." When we are submitted to Christ, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to direct us into truth and right judgment (John 16:13).
• Scripture, not our own opinions, is the basis for right judgment (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Today, Christians are often told by popular culture, “Don’t judge!”—not realizing how ironic and self-refuting that reprimand is. We can be pretty certain that the person saying it isn’t talking about shopping for cars or choosing the ripest cantaloupe. Instead, the context is usually about lifestyle choices—ones that go against traditional Christian ethics. What they usually mean by “Don’t judge!” is that we shouldn’t have an opinion on sin—and they’re right. Our “opinions” don’t really matter. Only God’s opinion matters. And He has revealed His standard of morality for our benefit in His Holy Word. When we share God’s Word, we’re not judging; we’re pointing others to what God has already judged.

If we don’t share God’s truth with others, we’re like the servant in Jesus’s Parable of the Talents who buries his talent, rather than investing it to gain more, as the other servants did. The Master in that parable called the servant “wicked and slothful” as opposed to the others whom he called “good and faithful” (Matthew 25:14–30).

By sharing God’s judgment with others, we’re investing in their eternal future. We should speak “the truth in love,” but we must speak the truth (Ephesians 4:15).

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment, not all judgment.
• The Bible commands judgment based on God's Word, not personal opinion.
• Only God judges perfectly, but believers are still called to speak the truth in love.

REFLECT

• When you feel tempted to correct someone, how often do you pause to examine your own heart and motives first?
• In what situations have you relied more on your own opinion than on God’s Word to discern right from wrong?
• How can you grow in judging with grace, humility, and truth, rather than with condemnation or pride?

ENGAGE

• How can we distinguish between hypocritical judgment and loving accountability in Christian community?
• What role should Scripture play when we try to help others recognize sin or error?
• How can we, as believers, model truth-telling that reflects both the justice and the compassion of Christ?