Judge not, that you be not judged.1 Right out of Jesus’ sermon on the mount and one of the most quoted phrases from scripture. It speaks to the issue of judging others. Jesus’ statement in John is usually uttered when someone is criticizing another’s actions. Specifically, it’s typically used as the first line of defense when someone’s moral character has been called into question. It is also sometimes used to emphasize or highlight the Christian’s responsibility in mercy and compassion as in the following statement:
The Bible is clear that God does not want people to be judgmental. Christianity teaches that people do not have the entire picture as God does. Since human viewpoints are thought to be skewed based upon human limitations, people are not in a position to judge others well. Instead, according to Christians, God calls everyone to have compassion and forgive one another.
The implication or outright conclusion in both of these scenarios is that the Bible teaches that nobody should judge another. Is that really what Jesus meant?
How Scripture answers "Should we be judging others?"
Regarding spiritual matters, including morality, we are to be judging others1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. This is clear even in the very next things Jesus states1 after the oft-quoted prooftext for justifying the opposite. It is of course true that we are making thousands of “judgments” every day3,6 about all kinds of things, and Paul amplifies the great care that’s required among brethren – not being judgmental on matters of opinion4. But concerning spiritual matters, followers of Jesus are called to make judgments of others from the standard of God’s word2,8 – in particular, those with whom they worship locally as a basis of fellowship5,6,7. We must do so while acknowledging our own shortcomings1,4,9 and tempered by the fact that all will come before God in judgment one day1,4,6,10,11.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
1
We judge others with a humble attitude and while recognizing we are all sinners.
!! scripture-block context extra important here !!
Jesus is not saying “don’t judge others” (otherwise, He would be contradicting himself later in John2).
2
We are not only to judge others’ actions, but judge them according to a Godly standard.
3
It’s not directly applicable, but does show Jesus actually asking someone to make a judgment.
4
Paul says not to judge our brothers, but the context is regarding “matters of opinion” and specifically deals with the relationship between stronger and weaker brother.
!! scripture-block context extra important here !!
5
John instructs the brethren to make a judgment about associating with those that do not “abide in the teaching of Christ”.
6
Paul’s prayer is that Christians grow in knowledge [of God’s word] in order to better judge [discern] those things that are good/righteous.
7
Paul is explicitly calling for the church in Corinth to judge each other in order that they might remove any sinner from their midst (not have fellowship with them any longer).
8
Paul’s instruction to the churches of Galatia implies that they must judge all (even the apostles or angels) on the basis of, or against the standard of the gospel of Christ.
9
Jesus isn’t necessarily condemning their judgment of her. His statement and lesson are directed at their self-righteousness and arrogant self-interest in testing him (rather than concern for the woman).
!! scripture-block context extra important here !!
10
Paul is effectively making the same point that Jesus made1. His warning is for those that judge others while engaging in the same thing themselves. He says that God will be their ultimate judge for their deeds.
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In the immediate context of Matt. 7, verse 6 specifically, Jesus gives a direct statement where judgement is REQUIRED on our part. “Do no give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” It should be obvious that Jesus is not referring to literal dogs and pigs here, but rather is using them as a metaphor for people, who from a character standpoint, are dogs or pigs. Whatever the “pearls” are in this passage, we know they are something precious and valuable, and He is warning us not to offer them to people who display the character of dogs or pigs. In order for us to ascertain a person’s character, we would have to make a judgement. Therefore, to the heart of the question “Should we be judging others?”, the answer is a qualified “yes”. “Qualified” based on the guidelines given in God’s word, regarding righteous judgement.
Excellent observation!