Thou Shalt Not Judge?

License to Turn the Blind Eye to Sin?
Sinners' And Satan's Favorite Bible Verse and the Most Wrongfully Applied Scripture Ever!

Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

People use the "judge not" verses from the bible to excuse sin and justify all kinds of evil.

Every time you correct a false teaching, they say, "judge not". Every time you tell someone they need Jesus, they say, "judge not".

If you tell them that doing drugs is wrong or that watching horror movies and other satanic trash is wrong, or that homosexuality is wrong or some other sin is wrong, they say, "Why are you judging me, the bible says not to judge." "Judge not" is one of the most common excuses for sin and for not confronting sin. Even Christians take this one verse out of context and make an erroneous doctrine out of it. We should always look at the context of a scripture as well as study the subject in the rest of the bible, here a little and there a little. Isa. 28:10

To truly understand the bible, you must read the entire bible and consider every verse of the bible. People who believe that we shouldn't judge anyone totally ignore all of the following verses:

Ephesians 5:3-11 (KJV)
:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words (such as judge not): for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Did you read the above scriptures in your personal paperback/hardback bible today or just only on this website?
If only online, I encourage you to please open your bible and read these verses both on our website and in your bible. There is power in reading the real bible. Also, did you pray before beginning to read about this specific subject today? If not, I encourage you to take the time now to pray for understanding of truth.

Definition of reprove = Reprimand or censure someone. Just Google "reprove" and see the very first result!

1 Corinthians 5:11-13
:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without (outside the church)? Do not ye judge them that are within (the church)? 13 But them that are without (outside the church) God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."

But in order for you to put that sinner who is not a church member away from you, you first have to make a righteous judgment/discernment/decision! Judging inside the church means that not only do you make a discernment about that person but also you take that person to the entire church if necessary! 1 Tim. 5:19-20 Matt. 18:15-20

2 Cor. 6:14-17
:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Most people believe that Jesus never judged anyone and never offended anyone. But the truth is, Jesus openly rebuked the Pharisees for their sins.

And Paul judged and distanced himself from those that opposed the truth of God and even publicly proclaimed their names to warn other people about them!

Paul rebukes Peter publicly - Galatians 2:11-14

Paul named Hymenaeus and Alexander - 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Paul named Demas - 2 Timothy 4:10

Paul named Hymenaeus and Philetus - 2 Timothy 2:15-18

John named Diotrephes - 3 John 9

Paul wrote that he has judged the brother in the church who is sleeping with his father’s wife. Note that Paul wasn't even physically there and he judged this brother.

1 Corinthians 5:3 "For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I was present, concerning him that hath so done this deed".

John the Baptist openly judged and rebuked Herod for sleeping with his brother's wife. Mark 6:18.

Let's take a closer look at the "Do not Judge" Verse!

Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

Don't stop reading there!

Matthew 7:2-5
:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Clearly, the context is that Jesus is saying that if you yourself have a large sin that you do not have the right to hypocritically judge the person with the smaller sin by comparison. I know that is unpopular to say or write. And I know that sin is sin. If you break one commandment, you break them all. No sin will enter the fullness of the Kingdom. However if it is very clear that what Jesus is saying is for example, that if you are sleeping around with 3 different women, then you have no right to judge the person who is living with one woman outside of marriage since you yourself are sleeping with 3 women. Another example would be if you are stealing televisions out of people's houses, then you have no right to judge someone for cursing. If you get drunk every night of the week, you have no right to judge someone who only gets drunk once a year. No sin is being condoned here. But the context is hypocritical judgment. Jesus does not say that you should not judge at all, but rather that you are to be sure to have your own life clean first before you try to help the other person. "Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam (larger piece of wood) out of thine own eye and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote (smaller piece of wood) out of thy brother's eye". He doesn't say to never help get the wood out of your brothers eye. That would be wrong to see someone in need and not help them. But we can't help them if we ourselves are in a worse situation.

Here is the Study Note on Matthew 7 in the Zondervan KJV Study Bible:

"The Christian is not to judge hypocritically or self-righteously, as can be seen from the context (v.5). The same thought is expressed in 23:13-39 (cf. Rom 2:1).

To obey Christ's commands in this chapter, we must first evaluate a person's character- whether he is a "dog" (v.6) or a false prophet (v.15), or whether his life shows fruit (v.16). Scripture repeatedly exhorts believers to evaluate carefully and choose between good and bad people and things (sexually immoral, 1 Cor. 5:9; those who masquerade as angels of light, 2 Cor 11:14; dogs, Phil 3:2; false prophets, 1 John 4:1). The Christian is to prove all things. 1 Thes 5:21."

End Quote.

Study note on Luke 6:37:

"Jesus did not relieve His followers of the need for discerning right and wrong (cf.vv.43-45), but He condemned unjust and hypocritical judging of others".

End quote.

We are also not to judge without proper information and correct doctrine.

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24)

Perfect example of this is one time when I was in a Dollar General store. A young man came in the store without a shirt, (innocent enough) but a very legalistic woman in the store became enraged and judged him without knowing the situation. She left. And he came to the counter to buy a shirt. He did not have a shirt with him and was there for the purpose of buying a shirt. She had unwisely judged him without knowledge of his situation. Besides which, even if he wasn't in his special situation, the bible never condemns men being barechested. Legalistic fake Christians have made up their own rules about what's not acceptable. But Jesus died for your sins shirtless! We must judge with correct doctrine.

We are also not to gossip and slander people and publish their sins to the whole neighborhood, (unless they are a danger to the neighborhood. If there is a wolf, you should yell wolf!).
James 4:11 "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother speaketh evil of the law..."
The context in this verse is slander. That is different from trying to help your brother overcome their sins. It is also different from intervention by the church or family or friends. The context is talking about people behind their backs.

But it is clear in scripture that we should not turn a blind eye to sin. We are to recognize it and distance ourselves from it and from those that are lost in sin. Of course we can't hide ourselves in the closet, but neither should we embrace their sin and accept their sinful lifestyle into our lives. When we see sinners on the street, we are not to stare at them or run the other way, unless they are a danger. We can speak to them and witness to them. But to do so, requires that we have already made a judgment about them that they are lost and in need of help. We love them enough to try to help them. It's not to condemn them but rather to help them. But we should not go back to their place and sit around with them and partake of their sins.

Many sinners love using the Matthew 7 bible verse against Christians and to justify their sins, they even tattoo it on their bodies and sing about it in satanic music but they don't even live by it. They are constantly judging Christians. The bible tells us to not just be a hearer of the word but a doer of the Word!

When an elder constantly sins without repentance, we should be absolutely sure we are judging correctly. There must be more than one witness. The men in the church should confront him privately. Then they should rebuke him openly if he doesn't repent. 1 Timothy 5:19-20

We are to judge scripturally. We should not wrongly judge based on non-existent scriptures or false doctrine or misinterpretation. Know what you are talking about! And use Godly wisdom. Have adequate information and judge only in love. But love does not equal acceptance of sin nor a blind eye. If you see your brother headed toward a cliff, you have a duty and Christian responsibility to try to keep him from falling off the cliff. You have a duty to protect yourself, your family, your church, your neighborhood and your community and to help your friends. You also have a duty to speak out against sin, in the proper spirit and place and time. Don't you know that you will judge Angels?

People say they can't judge someone who is gay. Yet they do judge someone who is a murderer, a thief, a child molester, etc. According to Holy Scripture, all of these will inherit the same fate in the lake of fire. There is no difference between them. They are all the same in the eyes of God & therefore should all be the same in our eyes too!

Homosexual activity is a crime against God & against mankind. There is a worldwide movement toward endorsing homosexual activity as normal & guilt free. Now even the "Pope" says he cannot judge someone who is gay. That is crazy! The bible is very clear on this issue! Homosexuality is an abomination to God & it is a sin (transgression against The Law of God) therefore it is a crime against the Law of God. It is also a crime against the laws of nature. The fruit of it is death in our lifetime and later in the lake of fire. A person cannot live that lifestyle (death-style) without repentance & still inherit the Kingdom. It's impossible! When a person says they can't judge a person for being gay, they are denying the Holy Scriptures & partaking of their sins & themselves will be thrown into the lake of fire for accepting homosexuality. The scriptures are clear that we are not to bid god speed (wish farewell) to those who do not accept the doctrine of Christ lest we be a partaker of their sins. The bible tells us to rebuke false doctrine. We are told to reprove (denounce) sin. People say we should love them. Yes we should. We should pray for their repentance & inform them that they are in danger of the lake of fire. That is true love. To withhold the warning, is to hate them & contribute to their destruction. To love them is to point them toward repentance & thus save their life. People take the "judge not" verse completely out of context! Jesus was not teaching that we should never make a judgment about someone's spiritual condition. But rather, that we should not judge hypocritically. The bible tells us to make righteous judgment. It tells us to not keep company with fornicators & to not touch the unclean (to not condone sin). When we proclaim that they must repent, we are proclaiming the holy word of God which is our duty & responsibility as a true follower of Christ.

The bible is very clear that we are not to sin, not to accept sin, not to condone sin and not turn a blind eye to sin. We are to abstain from every appearance of evil. We are to abhor it (Regard with disgust and hatred). We are to hate evil, hate sin. Love the sinner but hate the sin. But loving the sinner doesn't equal accepting his sin and turning a blind eye to it. We have to make righteous judgments every day. What church to attend, whether they are preaching the word of God, whether or not to return, who to date, who not to date, who to marry, who not to marry based on whether they would be a godly partner for us, who to be friends with, and who not to be friends with, who to hang out with and not hang out with. God doesn't want us to hang out with drug dealers and satanists. It is very clear in scripture that we are to distance ourselves from the evil doers of this world. It is not wrong to distance our family from pedophiles, rapist, drug dealers, witches, satanists and other sinners.

You have to make righteous judgments on a daily basis. Sinners try to say that Jesus hung out with sinners. The fact is that Jesus was only with each group of sinners for a short time and was witnessing to them and teaching them, not partaking of their sins and not condoning their sins. He spoke the Word of God to those sinners.

They try to say that Jesus did not judge the woman adulteress. The fact is that He told her to sin no more! He did not condone her sin or overlook it. In fact, He pointed out that her persecutors were also guilty of sin. He pointed out sin. He did not approve of her sin but rather only rescued her from the angry mob of people. Then He very clearly warned her to sin no more.

It is not wrong to observe that a person's sins could be a danger to you, to your family and to your church. They can tempt you and draw you away, they can harm your children and your family, they can damage your church. It is Godly wisdom to confront sin. What fellowship does light have with darkness? None! We are to make righteous informed judgments and then cast out the sinners from among us. This is bible teaching!

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Judge Not, Sinners' Favorite Out of Context Bible Verse. Copyright 2008 I Saw The Light Ministries