“Don’t judge me.” Well, I’ve often heard those words used in a secular context followed closely by the words, “As a Christian, you’re not supposed to judge.” Then there’s the finisher by those who know the verse but not necessarily the writer: “Judge not, that you be not judged”. I have that one covered already. Revelation 20 says that a judgment is coming for each of us, but I have a special judgment waiting for me. Let me explain.
I appreciate all of that Biblical argumentation from people involved in wrong conduct that know they’re involved in wrong conduct and want to continue to be involved in wrong conduct. I love them enough to be ready to tell them the reason for the hope that I have if they’d ask me for it. (1 Peter 3:15) But, they don’t. They’re interested in telling me what Biblical constructs I cannot engage.
Well, if you want to talk about Matthew 7:1 with respect to judging, I have a few other Biblical constructs I need to consider. As a teacher, I’m more closely acquainted with the admonition I find in James 3:1. “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Trust me, I know that verse. I review it often. You can be confused about the great white throne judgment we will all face in Revelation 20, but it’s clear for me in James 3:1. I will be judged and I will be judged more strictly.
Regarding Matthew 7:1, Jesus is winding up His sermon on the mount by telling us not to become like the Pharisees who judge others early and often and strictly according to the Mosaic Law. To be clear, Jesus is telling us here that we’re not to have a judgmental spirit. There is a difference and it’s significant.
Here’s this from the Asbury Bible Commentary about Matthew 7:1. “The life of Christian discipleship, characterized as it is by a surpassing righteousness, could easily lead to an attitude of moral and spiritual superiority, to a judgmental attitude toward others. Jesus therefore ends his discussion of requirements of the kingdom by warning against such a tendency.”
Indeed, we are to judge. Why else would Jesus have told His disciples, at the very time He was sending them out, to judge others (see Matthew 10:11 – 15)? Here’s more from Asbury: “Although disciples must not assume a condemnatory spirit toward others, they should employ discrimination in their ministries.”
Doctor Luke also records our Lord’s encouragement to us: “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?” (Luke 12:57) This is from Matthew Henry: “Christianity has reason and natural conscience on its side; and, if men would allow themselves the liberty of judging what is right, they would soon find that all Christ’s precepts concerning all things are right, and that there is nothing more equitable in itself, nor better becoming us, than to submit to them and be ruled by them.”
Last weekend, our Pastor brought these ideas to the forefront for me and it’s why I am leading my next several blog posts on values, standards, and truth with these words today. Here was the Biblical text from our Pastor’s message:
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8 – 9)
Think about these things. That involves discernment. And when anyone challenges me about Biblical truth, standards, and values, I have discernment from God’s word about what I need to know and do. I have thought about them. I have discerned for myself what is right. I will share it with you because I’m a teacher, understanding fully that I will be judged more strictly.
After I draft a blog post, several days in advance of posting it here, I will let it sit. James says we should be slow to speak. And, I’ll think about how this post will reflect truth, honor, justice, purity, God’s loveliness, His commendation, excellence, and praise worthiness.
I’ll ask myself if the proposed blog post reflects a judgmental spirit on my part. Sometimes, that’s where a post will end. I am, after all, inescapably human. I may be too close to the subject or, with time, have discerned a judgmental spirit on my part. I’ll usually ask myself if I “feel better” and then I’ll rip it up if needed.
For those of us who teach or write or blog on a regular basis, my sense is that we walk a tightrope when we address a hostile culture about right and wrong, good and bad. We are to speak into the culture, but not with a judgmental spirit. And yet we are to judge what is right. That’s why we teach. That’s why we write.
As a blogger, I don’t own the right to communicate God’s truth, or His standards, or His values into a hostile culture. I am a steward of what I “have learned and received and heard and seen in [Him].” May I be found faithful in practicing these things.
Now, on to values and standards and truth.