From Matthew 7:1-6 / Judging and Judgment – It used to be that the most quoted verse in the Bible was John 3:16. No more. Today, the most ubiquitous Biblical citation in the culture is: “Judge not, that you be not judged.” As though naming any person’s actions, or anything at all as “wrong” is somehow contradiction the teaching of Scripture. It isn’t.

As is often the case with quote-rs of Scripture, one phrase can be latched on to and absolutized so as to both wrest it out of its immediate context, and distort it from the greater teaching of the Bible as a whole. Nor is this error to be seen only in unbelievers. Sadly, all too often, Christians do it too. We’ll see that in verses 7-11. And in this case, one need only look at vs. 5 where someone is judged a “hypocrite”, and vs. 6 where some are judged to not be worthy of that which is “holy” and “pearls.” Some amount of judging has to be going on there.

The “judgment” being referred to in the entire context refers both to simple determinations (is it better to brush my teeth with toothpaste over dish washing liquid?) – and, as in verse 2 reveals – it may be connected with actually imposing some sort of penalty on others. It is not that we are to be blind to right and wrong, but that we are not to become judge, jury and executioner. Let God carry out the penalties. As individuals, and especially as dealing with other peoples faults and sins, we are not to be spiritual vigilantes. God will take note if we are constantly critical and censorious.

Jesus’ simile of the ship’s mast or telephone pole versus the speck is truly useful. When approaching another brother or sister regarding their sin, take care. If you have done the hard work of taking the log out of your own eye first, then you should have great compassion for the other person. You know how gingerly and carefully it must be done. You know the eye is sensitive and injured easily. You know the stakes are high – that blindness can ensue. Note how the “log” and the “speck” are the very same material. But how that material when clouding our vision, makes it impossible to treat properly what might be a much lesser version of our own sin in others. We do not swash-buckle our way into other people’s faults, failures and sins. (Gal. 6:1)

But then note lastly a judgment which must be made in vs. 6.

No one is being called a dog or a pig. The simile is that we do not put certain things in front of those who can have no appreciation for them. Wisdom is being called for here. Once one becomes a Christian, all manner of family treasures are opened up and distributed. to us But one cannot have – nor appreciate family privileges, until they are indeed part of the family. They can have SOME, but not the most intimate. Do not bestow the treasures or privileges of the kingdom on those still outside of it. What might that look like? 4 examples might help: a. Baptism belongs to those who believe. None other. b. Do not tell those who are walking contrary to the Gospel that it will be well with them, it won’t. c. Do not bring unbelievers to the Lord’s table. d. Do not intimate that those outside of Christ may live in the privileges that belong only to those IN Him.

We must make certain judgments. But we are not to be judgmental. So it is Christ judged us dead in our trespasses and sins, and yet in due time, died for us. He did not disdain or despise us in our sin, but pitied us, and moved Heaven and earth so that we might be reconciled to the Father. That same Spirit is to motivate us toward others.