Judge Not

     Over the past week, I have heard the phrase, "Judge not that you be not judged" leveled at Christians for not acquiescing to a pro-homosexuality agenda and lifestyle. In short, the verse-quoting was an attempt to tell Christians (who some have irrationally blamed for creating the atmosphere that led to the horrific Orlando massacre) that we should not be verbalizing disapproval of their life-style. Before we Christians swallow this confused interpretation, it would be wise to consider what Matthew 7:1-4, in context, actually says and does not say.

     Before launching into a brief Bible lesson, let me relate something I heard over twenty years ago. A prominent speaker made the observation that the upcoming generation would embrace whole-heartedly this very verse, "Judge not lest you be judged." He explained that a world-view was emerging which asserted that no absolutes existed with respect to truth. When this assertion is embraced, its corollary is that no one can or should form value judgments which are universally true. The result of embracing this perspective is relativism. Relativism declares that there are no absolutes which in its nonsensical way of thinking is the only absolute. So, whenever a person takes a Biblical stand, it should be no surprise that we have this verse brought up. Now, before someone swallows this interpretation and its corresponding mind-set, it would be wise to consider what Jesus actually said and meant in context. From my understanding, these verses are some of the most frequently quoted, yet misunderstood and abused verses in the Bible. So, what does this passage really mean?

     First, if you will read the Sermon on the Mount in total (Matthew 5-7), you will discover that it is full of judgments with respect to absolutes. Jesus made judgments and declared that some things were factual, and we need both to consider and to embrace what He said. For example, Jesus resoundingly criticizes the scribes and Pharisees in 5:20 for holding to an external "appearance" of righteousness while not living righteously. Jesus said that was unacceptable.

     Second, the imperative of the verse (7:1) "judge not" has the plural "you" as the understood subject. His point is that we are not to form our own judgments with respect to right and wrong, good and bad, wisdom and foolishness. Rather, we are to submit to our Creator, the God of this universe, to communicate those things. That is one reason why He gave us His Scriptures. The point is that our human judgments are faulty, and that whenever we make up our own rules apart from God, we are inevitably in trouble.

     Third, Jesus did point out that if we judge with a faulty judgment ("I will make up my own rules and my own standards. I do not care what either God or His Bible says."), we can expect to find ourselves under the judgment of God. In fact, He warns us that if we judge by our own standards, we can expect to be judged by those very standards. Now this context points out that He is dealing particularly with those who profess a certain standard, but in actuality refuse to live by those very standards. Jesus had no patience with hypocrisy.

    Fourth, Jesus gets to the concluding point noting that people tend to judge others while excusing themselves. Human nature tends to overlook and even justify its own faults. At the same time human nature magnifies the perceived faults of those it criticizes. Jesus concludes that we should deal with our own issues first before attempting to address the issues of others. He did not say that it was inappropriate to address the issues of others. Much less did He say there are no standards of morality.

     Everyone has a right to their opinion even if it is wrong. The attempt to silence the affirmation of a Biblical standard of morality by intimidating those who embrace it is wrong, but it works. Burke was right, "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to say nothing."