More than likely you have heard others say that it is wrong to judge others. The most cited verse on this subject is, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1 NASB)
This statement is often used to stop someone from calling out the wrong behavior of others. It is only wrong to judge others if the person correcting the behavior is, in fact, guilty of the same behavior.
Look at the verses that follow (Matthew 7:2-5) to see the context of that verse:
“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
Now one can see that one is not to judge others regarding the same issue that one is facing himself.
Look at Romans 2:1-3 (NASB) to see the same message of looking at one’s self before passing judgement:
Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things. But do you suppose “this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?”
Paul also addressed this topic in 1 Corinthians 2:15, when he referred to mature Christians who walk according to the Spirit: “But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.”
The only way to help someone out of a certain behavior is to call it out. If you are truly trying to help someone, be sure to point out the sin in a loving way, so
See these verses for how to bring loving correction:
- James 5:19-20
- Galatians 6:1
- Titus 3:10
- 1 Timothy 5:20 (applies to believers)
