TEXT: Matthew 7:1-5

SUBJECT: Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount #17: Judge Not

"Judge not..."

This is one of the Savior's best-known sayings. It is also one of the least understood. "Judge not" is often taken, without qualification, to mean something like this: You mustn't evaluate any person, any doctrine, or any action. To tell an unbeliever he is in danger of hellfire is to "judge". To say that Mormonism is a false religion is to "judge". To think that pre-marital sex is wrong is to "judge". And if the Lord says, "Judge not", we must be tolerant of everything and critical of nothing. Except maybe intolerance.

But is this what He means by "judge not"? If so, He is guilty of the most blatant hypocrisy. In this very sermon, He evaluates men, their doctrine, and what they do. He calls them "hypocrites", puts them on par with the publicans, and vilifies them as "pigs and dogs" as poisonous trees and wolves in sheep's clothing. And so, "judge not" can't mean "do not evaluate anyone or anything".

What does it mean? This: "Don't be a faultfinder or a nitpicker". There is a kind of person who takes pleasure in pointing out the defects of other people. Don't be that kind of person! This is what "judge not" means. Many Scriptures can be marshalled to support this interpretation. Proverbs 19:11 is one of them: "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and it is to his glory to overlook a transgression". I Peter 4:8 is another: "...love covers a multitude of sins". I Corinthians 13:5 puts it in perspective: "Love...thinks no evil"--it is "not suspicious".

Here the Lord's example shines with its customary brilliance. His disciples were not the most discerning of men, far from consistent, and often arrogant. Yet He isn't overbearing toward them; He isn't quick to find fault. Does He ever reprove them? Of course He does. But reproof was the exception--not the rule. This is why He could say, "Come, learn of Me for I am meek and lowly of heart".

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you".

The Lord gives a reason for not "nitpicking" others. If you take pleasure in finding fault with another, some one else will take the same pleasure in finding fault with you.

Who is this "someone else"? Is it other people or God? Both interpretations are true. And both can be fit into the context. The choice, therefore, is not between "right and wrong", but "good and better". I am of the opinion that God is the "Some One Else" our Lord has in mind. And so, what He means is this:

If you judge others without mercy,

God will judge you without mercy.

This is a fearful prospect. "Do not enter into judgment with your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous" says the Psalmist. In another place: "If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?"

Do you want mercy from God? If so, you'll give it to others. "Judge not, that you may not be judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you". If there is a stronger incentive for mercy, I haven't found it.

This is the doctrine: Don't nitpick. The reason: If you do it to others, God will do it to you. An illustration follows.

Galatians 6:1 is the parallel: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted".

James Russell Lowell described many in his age who, "stood ready at a moment's notice to reform everything but themselves".

In sum: we must be charitable in our evaluation of others. Not naive or hopelessly optimistic, but generous and merciful. To quote v.12: "...whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them..." Do you want others to give you the benefit of the doubt? If so, give it to them. This kind of benevolence captures "the law and the prophets".

A qualifier: "Judge not", of course, does not forbid all reproof. The Bible often commends it: "Open rebuke is better than secret love". But it does forbid every reproof that is arrogant, bitter, cynical, or pleasing to yourself. We must be willing to reprove others, but never eager to do so. "Judging" is not a matter of the mouth, but of the heart.

May God change our hearts, for Christ's sake. Amen.