Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, lest you be judged.” What does this mean?!

Is this a teaching against discernment or against prideful hypocracy?

Now we come to arguably the most misunderstood statement of Jesus throughout all of history. How often have you heard people justify outright evil by stating, “didn’t Jesus say, ‘you should not judge?’” Yet, if you read this passage carefully, this is not a prohibition against discernment. It is a warning against pride expressing itself in self-righteous condemnation.

As we examined previously, Jesus is concerned with our hearts, and values humility toward God as the most important prerequisite for all other virtues. So, this teaching should be viewed as yet another exhortation to humility. Our focus should be on keeping our hearts right before God, not pridefully pointing out the faults in others. And should we be tempted to misunderstand his statement, we would do well to note that later in the very same chapter, Jesus warns us to “beware of false prophets.” How could we be wary of them, if we cannot first identify them? Wouldn’t that take some “judgement?” Yes, indeed, identifying false prophets would require “judgement” in the form of “discernment.” So, clearly, Jesus is not commanding us to foolishly applaud and accept evil people for being evil, or to allow them to corrupt us.

Let’s put this in context: Remember the Pharisees of Jesus’ day were following a set of empty rules and rituals, then pronouncing judgement on others for not following the rules as well as they did - (…often their rules actually NEGATED the spirit of the Law as handed down from Yahweh - see Mark 7:13 “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”). And let us also define a word: “Judgement.” In this context, it is more like “condemnation.” The Bible is clear that there is only one who is righteous and wise enough to pronounce condemnation upon anyone - namely, God. He is the ultimate judge who will determine with perfect justice what each person deserves - “‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” (Romans 12:19). If we deem ourselves worthy to pronounce condemnation, we are, in essence, making ourselves to be God.

Throughout this gospel, Jesus has pointed out over and over that he wants humble and sincere faith, not prideful and hypocritical outward adherence to empty rituals with no vibrant relational connection to God. A humble person would realize he is every bit as much of a sinner as the person he is observing. So wisdom would dictate some honest reflection as opposed to hypocritical condemnation. Paul sums this attitude up well in Romans 12 where he reminds us in verse 9 to “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” We cannot abhor what is evil, if we cannot first identify evil using discernment. But our attitude toward others should be one of radical forgiveness, generosity and hospitality. Paul echos what Jesus taught by saying in verse 14 “Bless those who persecute you” and in verse 16 “Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight” and in verse 21 “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” All of this is only made possible with love. Love for our family, love for our church, even love for our enemies. If we first humbly recognize our own fallen state, and our deep need for forgiveness, we may then have the capacity for compassion toward fellow sinners.

Does that mean we cannot recognize sin? Not at all. Does that mean we embrace and even applaud sinful actions? Never! Let us not forget that pride itself is the worst sin, so rather than pronouncing a prohibition against discerning good from evil, Jesus is actually teaching us to avoid the worst evil of all: pride.

In conclusion, what Jesus is actually warning against is hypocrisy and a judgmental and condemning spirit that flows from pride. He NOT warning against discernment or encouraging us to embrace sin. We should remember this the next time we hear someone flippantly quote this verse out of context in an effort to justify whatever sin may be in view, saying, “didn’t Jesus say, ‘do not judge?’” I believe it is helpful to reread an example Jesus gave us showing how this concept is applied. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:23-33 (reprinted below). Could this shed light on why he taught us to pray, “forgive us our sins, AS WE FORGIVE those who sin against us.”? (Luke 11:4). We should never neglect discernment, and we should abhor and resist evil with our entire being. But, at the same time, if we refuse to forgive, and instead pronounce condemnation upon others (for sins we ourselves commit), we prove ourselves to be deceived by the worst sin of all: pride. And we are placing ourselves in the role of God, which is a very precarious position to be in.

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’”