There’s an oft repeated mantra among church goers that “we shouldn’t judge others.” This is a half truth that needs clarification.

First, this is sometimes used as an excuse to not speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). When we confuse judgement and honesty then we don’t allow other people to help us, or we unnecessarily restrict ourselves from helping others.

Second, what Jesus actually said was,

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 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? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log 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)

Notice the emphasis. These verses are about hypocritical judgement, not judgement in general. Jesus doesn’t want you holding others to a standard that you don’t even meet, but he does want you to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Just make sure you remove the log from your own eye first.

At another point in Jesus’ ministry others were upset with his behavior on the sabbath. Jesus didn’t tell them to not judge him, but he said, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24)

Third, within the church we are actually commanded to judge others in regard to certain sins (1 Corinthians 5:9-12). We can’t expect the world to adhere to our standards, but we must expect the church to be holy. However, our judgement even goes beyond sin. In Corinth believers were taking believers to court and Paul tells them that we must be able to judge the matters of this life amongst ourselves, especially since we will judge the world and angels later (1 Corinthians 6:1-8).

To judge or not to judge? It depends. Click here to read part 2 of this post.