Most people, Christian and non, are familiar with the saying judge not. It is often quoted as a way to deflect someone’s disapproval of another’s current actions. It comes in many forms, the most common being the simple phrase “Don’t judge me.”
The saying is biblical, but it is incomplete. It is a section selectively chosen to convey the meaning desired by the user. Rarely does someone continue on to the next part “lest ye be judged.” and almost never do you hear someone complete the whole saying.
“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? Matthew 7:1-3
Judge not is not a blanket shield against other’s displeasure at your actions. In this section, Jesus is teaching his disciples something very important. If you are going to judge, correct, guide, etc. someone else, you should be aware of your own self in the matter. You may not be perfect, but you better be honest with yourself. If you judge someone on a matter, and are doing the same thing they are doing, you are judging yourself as much. You are leaving yourself open to the judgement of others.
When looking at issues such as this, we must be careful of how we approach them. Judgement in these instances should not be condemnation, it should be discipline and guidance. It should always be out of love for the individual, not out of anger. Discipline among Christians is like the discipline of a child. You do not hate your son or daughter because they stole a cookie before dinner, or because they called another kid at school a mean name. You love them and realize that they need guidance and teaching to know when things are wrong.
At one point an opponent asked Jesus about the laws in the old testament. His response should still guide us.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
The bible always instructs us to deal with one another in love. We are to build one another up in mutual friendship as we all try and fail to emulate the example Christ left for us.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Rarely does the bible instruct us to go further in our discipline of each other. When it does, the activity in question has gone beyond the person involved, and is threatening the church itself.
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17
The instances cited in the bible deal with activities that reflect the way the rest of the world views the church. These are activities that damage the message of God.
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
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 person from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. 2 John 1:9-11
In these cases we see that the biblical teaching when dealing with those claiming to be Christian who willfully, not ignorantly, act against God is to not include them. In church terms, we are not to have communion with them. They are treated as if they were non-Christians because that is what the truth of their actions show them to be. It must be stressed that these are willful actions. Every Christian, every day of their lives, commits sins against God and others. A sin committed out of ignorance is confessed when the truth is revealed, a sin committed willfully and without remorse is a different matter.
In most instances dealing with such people may be done quietly, but in cases where the individual, or group, has caused grievous harm to the message of God, the renunciation must be public. It does no good to put someone out in quiet if their ways are still seen as our ways in public. Even then, we are still to love and pray for the individual.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
About the Author:
Stephen Mayo lives in Montana with his wife, daughter, corgi, and three cats.
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