Jesus commanded in John 7, “Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (verse 24).
Consider some things taught here and in other passages about judging others.
Judging is Necessary – Perhaps one of the most well-known verses in Scripture is Jesus’ command “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged” (Matt. 7:1).
Some may claim that this teaches we should never judge others. Yet, later in the book of Matthew, Jesus gave commands concerning how to handle erring brethren (Matt. 18:15-17). These commands are among many that imply a need for judging others.
More will be said about the context of Matthew 7, but it is clear when looking at the totality of God’s teachings that judging others is at times necessary. Furthermore, when judging is done right, it is a good thing rather than a bad thing.
We Must Judge Fairly – While judging is a good thing when done right, it can do great harm if done wrong.
A key to avoid judging wrongly is to judge others with fairness.
In the John 7 passage, Jesus preceded His command to judge righteously with an illustration of how the Jewish leaders were not doing that (see verses 21-23). They were guilty of judging Jesus unfairly.
We must not make false or careless accusations against others. When judging, we should fairly consider available facts.
We Must Judge According to God’s Law – Furthermore, when we judge others’ righteousness, we should do so according to God’s commands, and not according to the opinions of man.
Notice what the Holy Spirit through Paul said in Romans 14:3: Don’t let him who eats despise him who doesn’t eat. Don’t let him who doesn’t eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him.
The context of this command deals with things God has given no preference concerning. If God neither requires nor forbids something, we have no right to accuse someone of sin because he or she chooses a different option than us.
If we judge someone as guilty of sin, such sin should be something that God teaches is wrong, and not merely based on our own opinions.
We Must Not Judge Hypocritically – Something else that is involved in judging righteously is to not judge hypocritically.
This takes us back to the passage in which Jesus said “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged” (Matt. 7:1). The point Jesus was making in this passage is driven home in verse 5: You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.
It can be much easier to see faults in others than to see faults in oneself, but we should foremost focus on things we ourselves need to correct.
We Must Judge with Love – Another point concerning judging that is implied in Scripture is that judging should be done with love (1 Cor. 16:14).
When judging others, the goal should not be to “bring someone down,” “win” an argument, exalt ourselves, or any other selfish focus. Rather, the goal should be to please God and benefit other(s), including the one guilty of sin. Galatians 6:1 teaches the need to point out faults “in a spirit of gentleness.” Such will be much easier if we have the love and humility we should.
Perhaps part of the reason judging is often viewed negatively is because it is often done unrighteously. The answer to this is not to assume that all judging is bad, but to do our part to ensure that we judge rightly.
God has told us all we need to know to judge others rightly. May we heed His Word and “judge righteous judgment.”
– Michael Hickox