CONNECTING POINT: Judgement Gone Awry

Certain verses of the Bible are well-known, yet many of those same verses are taken out of context and improperly applied. Doing so breaks several rules of Bible interpretation, notably understanding the original author’s intention and cultural context. Next, identify the text principle and consider if the application applies today. Many principles do, and others do not; as a pastor, I will beat this drum of “context” until my last breath because without proper

context, the truth can be muddied.

You’ve probably heard statements like, “Jesus said don’t judge others, so don’t judge others.” or “The Bible teaches us not to judge people; if you do, you’re intolerant.” Slow down for a moment and think Biblically; partial truths can be problematic. Just as in day-to-day conversation context is imperative; the same goes for Bible interpretation.

The Bible is clear: right and wrong do exist; however, as people, we tend to blur those lines. Christians are to use discernment in two major fields: morality and doctrine.

The infamous verses on “judgment” are found in Matthew 7:1 and here in Luke 6. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. He also told them this parable: ‘Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. ‘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, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye,’” (Luke 6:37-42).

Jesus’ intentions can be summed up simply; we must guard against being hypercritical of others in a negative sense, to be unnecessarily harsh and punitive. I appreciate how Steve Wickstrom paraphrases verses 37-38, “Do not judge by finding fault with, and pointing out shortcomings in others, so that you may not be judged and have your faults exposed and have your shortcomings pointed out. For just as you judge by finding fault with, and point out the shortcomings in others, you will be judged and have your faults exposed, and have your shortcomings pointed out, in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal this out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.”

There is a proper and improper place for judgment regarding our attitudes toward others. Remember, our words reflect our state of mind or attitude. Superficial judgment is wrong; we should refrain from being critical of others based on mere appearance. Self-righteous judgment is wrong because, as Christians, we are called to be humble. Untrue judgment is a lie; slander should be far from us.

Are you aware that the Bible gives us examples of how to judge properly?

I would encourage you to read and contemplate the following verses: John 7:24, 1 Corinthians 2:15, 1 Corinthians 5:1-12, and 1 Corinthians 14:29. Discernment is closely related to rightful judgment, so think Biblically, we shouldn’t throw judgment out the window.