Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus Tells Us Not To Judge

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Kafziel

Active member
Dec 28, 2018
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#1
I'm not sure what definition to use for judge. I believe I had heard a definition at one point that made tremendous sense, it is to decide who is more important than whom. The reasons it makes sense are that it leads to unhappiness and strife.

Unhappiness because once you start to judge the beggar, the chances you'll find someone who's "better" than you are astronomically high, this also leads to envy. Who is more important really? The peasant or the king? Each has it's place, food is vitally important and a military is vitally important. The world works best when these people work together. So while the king makes more decisions on an individual level, they need each other.

Strife because if you think you're inherently better than someone you might treat them like dirt, which leads to friction and conflict. I mean think about it, if you and yours are superior you tend to look down on other people. Hitler believed the Germans were superior and they got into quite the fight with the world. The biggest war in human history I believe.

What are you your thoughts on this particular section?
 

NightTwister

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2023
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Colorado, USA
#2
We're told not to judge hearts (eternal status) because we can't know, but we are also told to judge fruit (or lack thereof).
From a personal standpoint, I start with "there is no greater sinner but me." That usually keeps me out of trouble.
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
5,057
2,192
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46
#5
I'm not sure what definition to use for judge. I believe I had heard a definition at one point that made tremendous sense, it is to decide who is more important than whom. The reasons it makes sense are that it leads to unhappiness and strife.

Unhappiness because once you start to judge the beggar, the chances you'll find someone who's "better" than you are astronomically high, this also leads to envy. Who is more important really? The peasant or the king? Each has it's place, food is vitally important and a military is vitally important. The world works best when these people work together. So while the king makes more decisions on an individual level, they need each other.

Strife because if you think you're inherently better than someone you might treat them like dirt, which leads to friction and conflict. I mean think about it, if you and yours are superior you tend to look down on other people. Hitler believed the Germans were superior and they got into quite the fight with the world. The biggest war in human history I believe.

What are you your thoughts on this particular section?
Nice avatar first of all and welcome back from what appears a long vacation.
I think the most valuable teaching i've learned on the topic of judgment is summarized on the words of Paul himself.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
There are many nuances here based on what you wrote in regards to collaboration, empathy, arrogance (known or unknown), insanity, evil and peace and joy.
But, Paul sums it up pretty nicely in a short sentence.
Live for now, be thankful to God for now for everything, ask for mercy and wisdom and health and keep going until the end.
God is in control and He is going to sort it all out in the end.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
193
43
#6
I'm not sure what definition to use for judge. I believe I had heard a definition at one point that made tremendous sense, it is to decide who is more important than whom. The reasons it makes sense are that it leads to unhappiness and strife.

Unhappiness because once you start to judge the beggar, the chances you'll find someone who's "better" than you are astronomically high, this also leads to envy. Who is more important really? The peasant or the king? Each has it's place, food is vitally important and a military is vitally important. The world works best when these people work together. So while the king makes more decisions on an individual level, they need each other.

Strife because if you think you're inherently better than someone you might treat them like dirt, which leads to friction and conflict. I mean think about it, if you and yours are superior you tend to look down on other people. Hitler believed the Germans were superior and they got into quite the fight with the world. The biggest war in human history I believe.

What are you your thoughts on this particular section?
In this context, it means "to condemn," that is, to consider yourself better than others, and, therefore, able to take God's place as their judge. We are forbidden to judge that way, but we are also called to discern sins to then avoid doing them, while loving the sinner.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,097
6,888
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#7
I'm not sure what definition to use for judge. I believe I had heard a definition at one point that made tremendous sense, it is to decide who is more important than whom. The reasons it makes sense are that it leads to unhappiness and strife.

Unhappiness because once you start to judge the beggar, the chances you'll find someone who's "better" than you are astronomically high, this also leads to envy. Who is more important really? The peasant or the king? Each has it's place, food is vitally important and a military is vitally important. The world works best when these people work together. So while the king makes more decisions on an individual level, they need each other.

Strife because if you think you're inherently better than someone you might treat them like dirt, which leads to friction and conflict. I mean think about it, if you and yours are superior you tend to look down on other people. Hitler believed the Germans were superior and they got into quite the fight with the world. The biggest war in human history I believe.

What are you your thoughts on this particular section?
Jesus doesn't actually tell us not to judge, but cautions us to judge carefully because we will be judged as we judge. It is akin to reaping and sowing. We are to be careful how we sow, knowing we will reap what we sow.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,191
30,325
113
#8
Jesus doesn't actually tell us not to judge, but cautions us to judge carefully because we will be judged as we judge. It is akin to reaping and sowing. We are to be careful how we sow, knowing we will reap what we sow.
Every word a seed
To feed those with great need
Avoiding those with greed
Who might tempt and then mislead
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,778
113
#10
What are you your thoughts on this particular section?
There are two kinds of judging -- righteous and unrighteous.

Judging others to determine if they are hell-bound is unrighteous. Only God can make that judgment. But judging to evaluate someone is righteous. The Bible says "try or test the spirits". That would be righteous. The Bible says Christians should have no fellowship with "antichrists" but first determine who they are. That too would be righteous. Assessing whether someone is a true or false teacher, apostle, or prophet is a necessity.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,670
5,913
113
#11
Jesus doesn't actually tell us not to judge, but cautions us to judge carefully because we will be judged as we judge. It is akin to reaping and sowing. We are to be careful how we sow, knowing we will reap what we sow.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:36-37‬ ‭

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, And every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:10-13‬ ‭

theres only one judge we all have to see him for what we ourselves do not what anyone else does . We’re only accountable for our own judgements and deeds and have no place passing any judgement in those Jesus died and rose for

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:42‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we’re taught to make good judgements about what we do

never taught to judge anyone else in any way taught to judge matters not people
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,670
5,913
113
#12
I'm not sure what definition to use for judge. I believe I had heard a definition at one point that made tremendous sense, it is to decide who is more important than whom. The reasons it makes sense are that it leads to unhappiness and strife.

Unhappiness because once you start to judge the beggar, the chances you'll find someone who's "better" than you are astronomically high, this also leads to envy. Who is more important really? The peasant or the king? Each has it's place, food is vitally important and a military is vitally important. The world works best when these people work together. So while the king makes more decisions on an individual level, they need each other.

Strife because if you think you're inherently better than someone you might treat them like dirt, which leads to friction and conflict. I mean think about it, if you and yours are superior you tend to look down on other people. Hitler believed the Germans were superior and they got into quite the fight with the world. The biggest war in human history I believe.

What are you your thoughts on this particular section?
Here’s a biblical example of how a group could judge someone

Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes,

and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.

If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:2-4‬ ‭

we often as humans think we know lord about others than we actually do . And we make judgements about peoples worth or value to God or others

every day we have to make judgements about our own selves what we’re going to do how well respond ect in any given situation the Bible teaches us to make good judgements concerning ourselves and actions and others

not judging another person as to how God sees and accepts them based on our own thinking is what Jesus is teaching his disciples

We have no place or right trying to determine who’s worthy of a relationship with Christ only he’s able and has that right because he gave his life for all of us
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,097
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#14
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:36-37‬ ‭

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, And every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:10-13‬ ‭

theres only one judge we all have to see him for what we ourselves do not what anyone else does . We’re only accountable for our own judgements and deeds and have no place passing any judgement in those Jesus died and rose for

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:42‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we’re taught to make good judgements about what we do

never taught to judge anyone else in any way taught to judge matters not people
I agree that self examination is better than the examination of others, but those who are spiritual are to judge all things...1 Corinthians 2:15.
The problem that arises in judgment is when individuals judge beyond what is revealed. In and of ourselves, we are insufficient to judge. For judgment to be true, everything that is true must be considered. Since this is true only for God, only His judgment is true. But we can judge righteously when we judge based on what we have received of God...1 Corinthians 2:12.
Even given this, we only know in part. Thus, our judgment is only a functional judgment, and not a final judgment.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
193
43
#15
Jesus doesn't actually tell us not to judge, but cautions us to judge carefully because we will be judged as we judge. It is akin to reaping and sowing. We are to be careful how we sow, knowing we will reap what we sow.
Read Jesus' own explanation in the parallel passage, Luke 6:37, “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." Judging means condemning; discerning means to determine what is sin in order to avoid it in our own lives. Judging means looking down your nose at these inferior humans that aren't as good as you are. We're all sinners.
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,748
609
113
#16
Born Again Christians are not to Judge the unsaved ----

Unbelievers living in this world are acting the way they should be for being under the rule of Satan who is the god of this world ---they are their own Judge until they die and then God will judge them -----

True Believers are to Judge another True believer who may be backsliding or wondering off the right path ----they are to do it gently and with Agape ----and if that fails then they are to send them to the deacons of the church ----and your job is done ----

! Corinthians 5:12---Paul is speaking here -----

Amplified Bible
For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]?
 

Ballaurena

Well-known member
May 27, 2024
418
282
63
#17
Unforgiveness also is a form of judgement on a other
So is forgiveness. Both forgiveness and unforgiveness are potential conclusions properly based on an assessment of the person's spiritual state. If you don't know, give it to God to determine.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,191
30,325
113
#18
! Corinthians 5:12---Paul is speaking here -----
Amplified Bible
For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge
those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]?

Micah 6:8 He has told you o man what is good and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?
:)
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,778
113
#19
Magenta disagrees with my post with a red X. But my post is biblical. So she is refusing what Scripture says. When people disagree with me they are generally disagreeing with the Word of God.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,097
6,888
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#20
Read Jesus' own explanation in the parallel passage, Luke 6:37, “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." Judging means condemning; discerning means to determine what is sin in order to avoid it in our own lives. Judging means looking down your nose at these inferior humans that aren't as good as you are. We're all sinners.
Those are fine definitions, but not the only way to define judgment. 1 Corinthians 2:15 says the one who is spiritual judges all things. This suggests we are to judge, but not as you have suggested. Because we only know in part, our judgments can only be functional, and not final; however, this doesn't preclude us from judging.