The subject of judging others, particularly in terms of accusing, criticizing, and condemning, is a persistent issue that requires ongoing attention within the church. In Matthew 7:1, the Lord instructs us not to judge, which is further translated as not to condemn others so that we ourselves will not be condemned. This warning from Christ emphasizes the danger of expressing unfavorable judgments, especially among the brethren, and highlights a fault-finding spirit that leads to criticism—a pervasive part of society that often seeps into the church. Jesus cautions against emphasizing the faults of others, recognizing our tendency to do so, perhaps unaware, due to how commonplace it has become. Reasons for such behavior may include feelings of inferiority masked as pride, where criticizing others boosts our sense of superiority, or envy and jealousy over attention or position. This act of judging and criticizing is sinful, the opposite of love, stemming from impure motives and seeking to elevate oneself at the expense of another's reputation. Love, as described in I Corinthians 13, is patient and kind, not arrogant or rude, and seeks to conceal unrighteousness rather than expose it. Satan, the master of accusation and criticism, distorts perspectives through such actions, as seen in the Garden of Eden when he accused God of lying to Eve, leading to sin. Similarly, in the Old Testament, Miriam's criticism of Moses distorted Aaron's perspective, resulting in sin and delaying the journey to the Promised Land. Such accusations within the church may stunt our growth toward the Kingdom of God, underscoring the need for repentance, as God mercifully grants us time to do so. Judging and criticizing others is also hypocritical, as Jesus illustrates in Matthew 7:3-5 with the figure of speech about removing a speck from another's eye while having a beam in our own. This highlights the irony of correcting others when our own faults are greater, holding a double standard by being more tolerant of our own errors. Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:12 to do unto others as we would have them do unto us, promoting good over evil, and emphasizes that we should not stand over others as their judge. Instead of judging others, we are encouraged to engage in prayer and self-examination, neutralizing the critical spirit that originates from the prince of the power of the air. The solution lies in maintaining a continued relationship with the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, judging and critiquing ourselves honestly rather than focusing on the faults of others. When tempted to criticize, we should pray for God's guidance through His Holy Spirit to respond rightly.

Our Savior commands us in Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that you be not judged." This directive focuses on a specific type of judgment that He forbids among His disciples, as it opposes the work He and His Father are doing in the church. Refraining from this kind of judgment benefits us greatly, aligning with His ultimate plan for all humanity, starting with us as forerunners. When we judge in this forbidden manner, we risk taking a prerogative that belongs to God, which can lead to self-worship and harsh consequences. Jesus elaborates in Matthew 7:1-5, warning against hypocritical judgment, where one points out minor faults in others while ignoring or justifying their own far greater sins. He illustrates this with the imagery of a speck in a brother's eye versus a plank in one's own, emphasizing the hypocrisy of condemning others for small sins while bearing monumental guilt oneself. He urges us to first remove the plank from our own eye, addressing our significant flaws, before attempting to help a brother with their lesser sin, doing so without condemnation or hypocrisy. The principle of reciprocity underlies His teaching: the judgment we mete out will be measured back to us. If we judge harshly, we can expect harsh judgment in return, ultimately facing divine judgment before the judgment seat of Christ. Therefore, we must be cautious, as God will not be lenient with us if we are not lenient with others. Jesus reinforces that judgment is His domain, not ours, and we often lack the full perspective to judge rightly, unable to discern motives or hidden spiritual matters in others. He further models this principle in His actions, showing mercy rather than condemnation, even when He holds the authority to judge. His example sets a high standard for us to follow, encouraging us to avoid hypocritical condemnation and instead support one another. By prioritizing self-examination and humbly addressing our own character flaws, we can then assist others in a spirit of love and forbearance, fostering unity and growth within the church as we journey toward the Kingdom of God.

Some might cite Matthew 7:1 as a directive against all forms of judging, stating, "Judge not, that you be not judged." Here, the Greek word for judge, krino, implies to condemn, avenge, damn, sentence, or levy a punishment. Christ warns that if we condemn others, we too will face condemnation. Yet, in context, He clarifies that we are to evaluate the deeds of others with caution. We must first consider our own weaknesses and sins, striving to overcome them before making harsh judgments on others. How can we condemn another when our own faults may be greater? He instructs us to remove hypocrisy from ourselves, and only then to assist our brother with his struggles. Christ's initial statement on judgment must be understood within His broader explanation, which includes recognizing others' sins and their disposition, but only after addressing our own faults. This aligns with His teaching in John 7:24, where He urges, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." We are to analyze what is right or wrong based on the mind of God as expressed in His Word, applying that judgment to others with care, for Christ will mirror the attitude we show to others in His judgment of us. Life compels us to make judgments about people daily, whether in mundane matters or significant decisions like friendships and marriages. These evaluations, though sometimes seeming harsh, are necessary. We weigh known factors to avoid deception or poor choices, such as mistaking a wolf in sheep's clothing for an angel of light. Proper judgment is crucial, and snap decisions or those driven by selfish desires like lust or greed often lead to grief. Our purpose in life includes learning to render proper judgments of right and wrong, exercising wisdom as we are trained to be leaders and teachers in God's family.

As God's firstfruits, we are called to judge situations, our government, people in office, those over us, each other, and especially ourselves, constantly. However, our judging must be righteous, grounded in the Word of God, the Bible, and not based on personal opinion or political correctness. In Matthew 7:1-2, God instructs us not to judge in a condemning way, yet He also urges discernment, warning us not to cast pearls before swine and to beware of false prophets in Matthew 7:6 and 7:15-16. This shows that we are permitted to distinguish right from wrong, but our judgments must align with His standards, not ours. There is a clear distinction between judging and being judgmental. Being judgmental involves condemning others or passing sentence like a court judge, which we must avoid. Instead, our judgments should resemble a referee's call in a game, neutrally based on the rulebook, which for us is God's Word. We must not judge others' motives or rush to conclusions without full understanding, but we are to discern actions and behaviors that could harm us or others, as God instructs in I Corinthians 5:11-12 to judge within the Body of Christ. Our judging must be done with humility and love, remembering that we too are sinners in need of repentance. God desires us to speak truth to one another in love, gently confronting erring brothers, as seen in the call to church discipline. We should judge all things—cruelty, covetousness, dishonesty, and other sins mentioned in His Word—but never in a harsh, unforgiving, or self-righteous manner. Above all, our primary focus must be on judging ourselves, examining our hearts and actions daily, seeking His help to root out sin and draw closer to Him.