Is it true christians should not judge?

The world says, "You shouldn't judge; Jesus said, 'Don't judge'." What does the Bible truly say on this subject? To be "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15), we must consider the context of Jesus' words. Matthew 7:1-2 reads: "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." These verses reestablish the timeless moral principle contained in Galatians 6:7, which reads, "God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." 
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When Jesus spoke the words recorded in Matthew 7:1-2, He was addressing a prevalent condition concerning those whose lives constituted of being considered as "Thou hypocrite" (Matthew 7:5). Christ was dealing with a prevailing condition in Judaism that He described in Matthew 23:1-4. In verse 3, He spoke of hypocritical religious leaders: "They say, and do not." 

In verse 4, Jesus decried their practice, as "they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers." One principle Jesus wanted to clearly establish was that the life of the one speaking should first be measured to the truth themselves. (See Matthew 7:3-5.) 

In Matthew 7:1-2, Jesus reiterated the timeless, moral law of sowing and reaping. In doing so, He proclaimed, "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged." What will judge us on that final day? Jesus said, "The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). We are each going to be judged by "the word."

Therefore, to "judge" by "the word" is a fair measurement. However, a saint should be cautious and Holy Ghost directed. Colossians 4:5 admonishes, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without." We must also recognize that "a brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city" (Proverbs 18:19). We must keep in mind, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient" (1 Corinthians 6:12). The wise man taught there is "a time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:7). 

The only way we can determine the appropriate action ("silence" or "speak") is through Holy Ghost leadership. There are times when we will be divinely prompted "to speak" and tell what the Word of God says on a matter. On these occasions, it is both needed and proper. When we do "speak," some may charge us with judging. But if it is in accordance with the Word of God and prompted by the direction of the Holy Ghost, with a measured life behind it, it is totally appropriate and Biblical. 

Again, we should be cautious and "speak . . . as the Spirit" gives "utterance" (Acts 2:4)

Earl R. Borders

From the  July 2023 issue of The Gospel Trumpeter