I wanted to write something about a verse I hear quoted out of context all the time; ironically by non-Christians most of the time. Now Christians don’t get a pass here, because they are just as bad if not worse because they should know the context and how to use the verse.
I think most people know Matthew 7:1 even if they don’t know they do, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” This verse has been morphed and twisted to mean something it was not intended by secular society; namely telling someone they can’t judge someone’s actions or lifestyle. NEWS FLASH, you are wrong if you think that; and if you tell someone they can’t judge, well guess what? Based on your rules, you have done wrong by telling someone else they are doing wrong. See how that works?
Clearly we can’t escape making moral judgments.
Alright, if we take look at the context in which Jesus is speaking in Matthew 7:1-5, you will see Jesus IS making a moral judgment about certain people using metaphors comparing people to dogs and pigs.
Let’s take a look:
You can see in verse 6, Jesus is stressing that we should not continue to present Gods grace to those who persistently scoff and ridicule. As in Matthew 10:14, we must at some point shake the dust off our feet and move on to more receptive people.
The plank in the eye, I know, I’m getting to it. I did not skip verse 3-5, it’s coming. I have to say this first, I find very important to state that Jesus commanded us in John 7:24 to, “Stop judging according to outward appearances; rather judge according to righteous judgment”. So we see that we are not to judge people who look different to us or are outside of what we consider “normal” looking. Having worked with teens in youth Groups, you will see some that will make you go “hmmmmmm” but you will learn they are good kids with a big heart for the Lord.
So now to digest all this; how do we resolve this conflict of judging? We resolve it by taking a look at the spirit in which we make judgments. Are we making this judgment because we think we are better than them; or is there some true issues with their actions and or attitude that we need to address in the spirit of caring and humility? Are we self aware enough to see our weaknesses and if we are clean in the area in which we are pointing out in someone else?
Matthew 7:5 tells us to first look at ourselves, examine ourselves to remove the sin in our life first before attempting to remove it from someone else’s life. How can we help someone if we ourselves are doing the same thing? So if there is a problem to be dealt with, do it, but only after self examination.
Now the wrong kind of judgment will come across condemning and not helpful to the person. For us to make the correct type of judgments on moral or doctrinal matters, we need to first pray and approach the person with a humble heart (after self examination.) Also, we must always remember to treat others as we would like to be treated; we are not trying to come across as another hypocritical “religious” person condemning someone to hell. We have enough hypocrites in Christianity; we need disciples willing to lead the way by example, with caring and love. True, we are all sinners, but people still need to be called to task on moral and doctrinal issues.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. - (Matthew 7:12)
So when “judging” comes up with people, make sure to define what you mean by the word judge. These conversations are never easy ones. Defining what your intent is will help in greasing the wheels in the conversation. We as Christians can’t back down on moral issues or making moral judgments, it is impossible to do. Even the people who say “don’t judge” can’t escape making a judgment. So yes, we can judge, we have to, no one can escape it; but remember we have enough hypocrites, so be careful. Remember we cannot judge someones place before God, only God can do that.
I think most people know Matthew 7:1 even if they don’t know they do, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” This verse has been morphed and twisted to mean something it was not intended by secular society; namely telling someone they can’t judge someone’s actions or lifestyle. NEWS FLASH, you are wrong if you think that; and if you tell someone they can’t judge, well guess what? Based on your rules, you have done wrong by telling someone else they are doing wrong. See how that works?
Clearly we can’t escape making moral judgments.
Alright, if we take look at the context in which Jesus is speaking in Matthew 7:1-5, you will see Jesus IS making a moral judgment about certain people using metaphors comparing people to dogs and pigs.
Let’s take a look:
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “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? 4 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? 5 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.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
You can see in verse 6, Jesus is stressing that we should not continue to present Gods grace to those who persistently scoff and ridicule. As in Matthew 10:14, we must at some point shake the dust off our feet and move on to more receptive people.
The plank in the eye, I know, I’m getting to it. I did not skip verse 3-5, it’s coming. I have to say this first, I find very important to state that Jesus commanded us in John 7:24 to, “Stop judging according to outward appearances; rather judge according to righteous judgment”. So we see that we are not to judge people who look different to us or are outside of what we consider “normal” looking. Having worked with teens in youth Groups, you will see some that will make you go “hmmmmmm” but you will learn they are good kids with a big heart for the Lord.
So now to digest all this; how do we resolve this conflict of judging? We resolve it by taking a look at the spirit in which we make judgments. Are we making this judgment because we think we are better than them; or is there some true issues with their actions and or attitude that we need to address in the spirit of caring and humility? Are we self aware enough to see our weaknesses and if we are clean in the area in which we are pointing out in someone else?
Matthew 7:5 tells us to first look at ourselves, examine ourselves to remove the sin in our life first before attempting to remove it from someone else’s life. How can we help someone if we ourselves are doing the same thing? So if there is a problem to be dealt with, do it, but only after self examination.
Now the wrong kind of judgment will come across condemning and not helpful to the person. For us to make the correct type of judgments on moral or doctrinal matters, we need to first pray and approach the person with a humble heart (after self examination.) Also, we must always remember to treat others as we would like to be treated; we are not trying to come across as another hypocritical “religious” person condemning someone to hell. We have enough hypocrites in Christianity; we need disciples willing to lead the way by example, with caring and love. True, we are all sinners, but people still need to be called to task on moral and doctrinal issues.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. - (Matthew 7:12)
So when “judging” comes up with people, make sure to define what you mean by the word judge. These conversations are never easy ones. Defining what your intent is will help in greasing the wheels in the conversation. We as Christians can’t back down on moral issues or making moral judgments, it is impossible to do. Even the people who say “don’t judge” can’t escape making a judgment. So yes, we can judge, we have to, no one can escape it; but remember we have enough hypocrites, so be careful. Remember we cannot judge someones place before God, only God can do that.
No comments:
Post a Comment