Is it right for a Christian to judge others?

Is it right for a Christian to judge others?

If ever there is a scripture that is grossly misunderstood, it is Matthew 7:1. “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” The reason for this misunderstanding is not far fetched. First, it is the wish of Satan and its agents that we are denied the knowledge of truth about God. It is owing to the lack of the knowledge of God that men are destroyed through the many traps of Satan. (Hosea 4:6). Satan is aware that truth will help set us free from the bondage of ignorance and sin. (John 8:32).

Many Christians would hurriedly quote Matthew 7:1 each time they are confronted with their errors, omissions, or commissions. They believe that only God has right to correct them or point out their errors. This is not true. Let us attempt to define what to “judge” means. According to the definition of Cambridge Advanced Learner’s dictionary, to judge is, “to form, give or have as an opinion or to decide about something or someone especially after thinking carefully.” It also defines a judge as, “A person who has the knowledge to give an opinion about something or is able to decide whether something is good.” How do we reconcile this with Matthew 7:1?

For reasons closely linked to the wide acceptance of Biblical teachings, most people try to validate their actions with scriptures in the Bible. In most cases, their reference to scriptures does not interpret the mind of God. Take for instance someone who justifies polygamy because King Solomon had many wives and concubines. There are people who defend their feat of anger with reference to Jesus cursing the fig tree as recorded in Matthew 21:18-19. The Bible must not be read upside down. God is a spirit and we must be spiritual to understand His mind. This was the reason why Jesus recommended that we “worship God in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24). What then is the truth about Matthew 7:1?

Truth is one the pillars of Christianity. Although, it is bitter, Christians are expected to stand by the truth no matter the consequences or situation. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul enjoined Timothy and other brethren to “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” As Christians, we cannot reprove, rebuke, or exhort without saying the truth. In saying the truth, we would definitely be forced to make judgments. Nevertheless, we are cautioned to judge with wisdom and humility. See also Titus 1:13: “This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.”

In saying, “Judge not, that ye be not judged”, Christ had a good intention. This is hidden in verse 2 of the same chapter. Unfortunately, supporters of “Judge not, that ye be not judged” are too busy to even recognize this. It says, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Jesus Christ in His infinite wisdom was only saying: “Practice what you preach.” This opinion is confirmed in Mathew 7:3-5. “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.”

In Jesus’ opinion, a thief should not accuse another of stealing. A corrupt person should not point accusing fingers at another man that has stolen public funds. A fornicator has no right to counsel others against fornication. Only upright people have the right to criticize or correct others. How will you feel if someone who committed the same offense with you is asked to sit in judgment against you? In making criticisms or corrections, we must be humble and having a genuine intention to save the person from harm. In many cases, people make criticism in order to humiliate others. This is not in line with God’s principle.