This topic may be a controversial one. That's probably because no one wants to admit that they're wrong, so they don't want to be judged. I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say "Don't judge me!" and then they proceed to say the Bible says not to judge. (not because I go around judging people, I've never had anyone say that to ME, I've just heard it said a lot, on TV and other places...)But I don't think that's really what the Bible says. It's all about the context.
I bet the people who cry "don't judge me!" can't even show me where the Bible says that. I'm going to type out 6 verses here that deal with judging, and then try and pick it apart so you understand what I think it means.
Matthew 7: 1-6, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Do not give to dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."
This is some serious stuff. Jesus just called some people hypocrites. I don’t think it’s because they were judging someone. I think it’s because they were judging people while doing the same thing they were judging someone else for; that is what I think the point of this passage is. I think it means our primary concern should be to take care of ourselves before we worry about what other people are doing wrong. I noticed that this passage says to "first take the plank out of your own eye" and then proceeds to say "then you can take the speck out of someone else's eye." That is significant to me, because Jesus says to take the speck out of someone's eye, to judge. He doesn't say not to, He says only to do that when you're in the right position to. Yes, this passage says "Do not judge.." but it also says a whole lot more. I also noticed that at the end of these verses, that Jesus compares people to dogs and pigs. The people that are dogs and pigs, are the people who freak out when you start judging them. They take what you say, and they trample all over it. I guess all those people who say "don't judge me!" haven't read this passage, or they'd realize by saying that they're equating themselves with swine.
Here is another verse that makes me think judging is not wrong.
1 Corinthians 5:12-13, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked man from among you.'"
This one is a bit more clear I think. There are guidelines for judging. Most importantly, we are only supposed to judge other believers. The world has turned the whole "judging" concept into something evil, when really it's wonderful. When believers judge each other, it's supposed to be out of love. It helps us hold each other accountable. Accountability is fantastic! THAT is what judging is for, and that is why judging is not wrong, and that is when judging is Biblical. I think this verse makes that clear. Judge those inside the church (the body of Christ). Don't judge in a condemning way, or in a holier-than-thou way, or anything like that. But in a loving way, because the body of Christ grows stronger as we hold each other accountable for our problems. If we see a brother or sister doing something they shouldn't, we should take them aside and talk to them about it. We should judge because we care about each other, and we want to see the body grow stronger.
One of my friends here at school made a great analogy. If you're on some kind of athletic team, and one of your fellow athletes isn't doing such a good job...do you tell them? Yeah. Why? Because you want your team to do good... not because you think they're no good or you want to make them feel bad, but because you want your team to do well. It's the same with judging. You shouldn't judge because you want to make someone feel like they're worthless or a failure, but because you love them and you want to see our "team" of Christians grow stronger in Christ. The way to do that is to hold each other accountable, and that involves judging. (I really hate Christian analogies. I think Christians using those all the time is really lame and cheesy and unintelligent, but I really liked this one. The end.)
I do think there are instances when judging is wrong, instances the Bible points out. In the last verse I typed out, I think it's pretty clear that we are NOT supposed to judge unbelievers. That is not our job or our place, God will judge them Himself. Don't judge them. I also think it's wrong when you're being hypocritical, like in the first passage. Take care of your issues before you go around judging other people for the same things you have a problem with. It's also wrong if you're doing it to make yourself feel righteous or holy, and you just want to feel like you're better than someone. You should judge when you really and truly care about the person who is struggling, and you want to help them see what the problem is. My friends point out to me when I'm being stupid. At first I might feel a little defensive, but then I realize...this is my friend, this person loves me, I know they're not telling me this because they're being mean or anything. My friends hold me accountable and it helps me to grow and change, and it also makes us better friends. It's also good not to be over-critical, and find fault in every single situation you come across in life, by pointing the finger at people and placing blame all the time. Check your heart.
Anytime I feel the urge to say "Don't judge me!", I'll remember that's what pigs say.
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