Judging with the Right Standard...

“Don’t judge me”, you’ve heard it a million times. You’ve even heard people tell you, “doesn’t the Bible say don’t judge”. I’m sorry to burst anyone’s bubble in their attempt to justify their actions by using scripture, but the Bible is clear on judging. It prohibits hypocritical judging. But it promotes judging correctly. It’s all about the standard in which we use. We make judgements every day. So it’s not a matter of judging that’s the issue, it’s the standard that we use to judge. If we use the standard that God uses with us, if we judge correctly, then we find favor with God. If we use it to our own benefit in judging incorrectly, then it will be used against us. If we use God’s standard, then we judge correctly. So the next time you hear “don’t judge”, ask the person where they get their instructions from. Then kindly inform them what the Bible exactly says about this issue. When you hold yourself accountable to the standard in which you use for others, your view of others is put into the proper perspective of loving your neighbor. And we sure need a lot more of that these days.

1 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. Matthew 7:1-6