Are Christians to judge others?

[KingJ]

Many people reference Jesus' words “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matt. 7:1) to mean that Christians should never make moral or spiritual evaluations. However, the broader teaching of Scripture shows that believers are not only permitted to judge certain matters - they're commanded to do so, but with the right heart and standard.

1. Jesus Commands Righteous Judgment

John 7:24 "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."

2. Discernment Is Required of Believers

1 Corinthians 2:15 "The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one."

Paul says that a mature Christian judges/discerns all things. It's part of spiritual maturity.

Philippians 1:9–10 "...that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent..."

We’re supposed to discern and approve what is excellent—which involves making value judgments.

1 Cor 6:3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

From verse 1 to verse 9 Paul is rebuking Christians who cannot judge matters better than the unsaved.

3. Judging Sin Within the Church

1 Corinthians 5:12–13 "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. 'Purge the evil person from among you."

Paul explicitly says the church must judge fellow believers when it comes to unrepentant sin.

Galatians 6:1 "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness."

To restore someone caught in sin, you must first discern/judge that sin is present.

4. Wise Judgment in Daily Life

Proverbs 31:9 "Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

This verse calls for righteous judgment, particularly in defense of the vulnerable.

Proverbs 18:13 "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame."

Right judgment requires hearing both sides and thinking carefully.

5. Testing and Discerning Teachers and Spirits

1 John 4:1 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God..."

We are commanded to test (judge) teachings and spiritual influences.

Matthew 7:15–16 "Beware of false prophets... You will recognize them by their fruits."

In the same chapter people use to say "don’t judge," Jesus tells us to judge whether someone is a false prophet—based on their fruit (life/actions/teachings).

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Direct rebuttal of Matthew 7

Matthew 7:1–5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.”

1. Jesus is not forbidding all judgment.

He is forbidding hypocritical judgment. The person with a log in their eye judging someone with a speck is the issue.

2. “Then you will see clearly…”

Jesus actually says once your own sin is addressed, you’ll be in a position to help (judge rightly) your brother’s situation.

3. He continues to command discernment.

Just a few verses later in Matt. 7:6, Jesus warns not to “give dogs what is holy”—requiring judgment of who is a “dog” (symbolic).
In Matt. 7:15, He warns of “false prophets”—again requiring discernment and judgment.

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The woman who was caught in adultery:

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7)

The Pharisees wanted to trap Jesus, not serve justice. Jesus’ statement convicts them of hypocrisy—not of judging itself.

Jesus did not excuse the sin. After dealing with the hypocrisy, He told the woman: “Go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

His rebuke was about punitive, hypocritical judgment by people who were not truly righteous or merciful.

 

[KingJ]

Matthew 5 vs 39 Christ said "Resist not Evil and whoever would smite you on the right cheek offer the left also", in Matthew 7 vs 1-2 he said "Judge not that you be not judged, for with what Judgement you judge you shall be judged...." Evil comes in many forms in this fallen world, from the murderer to the child rapist, to those that live in wealth and comfort while millions suffer and die in poverty, to the arms manufacturers who deal in death and destruction and the bankers and Financial institutions who with a stroke of a pen condemn millions to lives of oppression and destitution, and the Oil and Gas companies who through their greed have brought this world to destruction. In John 8 vs 1-11 Christ says of those wishing to stone the woman taken in adultery, " Let him without sin cast the first stone", my sins are too great to cast the first stone but perhaps you feel yours aren't. I believe we have to lock up those that commit violent crimes but that many of the real "criminals" are free to commit their Evil without consequences and i would never advocate for the death penalty for i see that Judgement as Gods alone. I also recognise the contradiction in my beliefs with Christs words of not judging and not resisting evil, but thats so often the case, i know what i should do but fail to do it. Anyway back to topic, perhaps you have some video clips of Charlie kirk showing his better side as most of what i've seen up to now hasn't shown him in a very good light . Thanks

1. The context of 'judge not' in Matt 7 is 'punish not'. Note how His words stopped stones, not thoughts. Christians are to judge all things 1 Cor 2:15.

Hi King J, thanks for your reply, as i've said i think the context of Matthew 7 is not only in relation to eternal judgement, which is Gods alone, but also a recognition of our own sins and failings before we attempt to judge the actions of others,...

Hi Rad, I created this thread to discuss your points raised in the Charlie Kirk thread.

I do not agree with the lines I have highlighted in red.

1. "my sins are too great to cast the first stone but perhaps you feel yours aren't."

I agree that we must not cast stones. But just because we have sin does not mean we cannot judge ourselves and others for sin.

2. "I would never advocate for the death penalty for i see that Judgement as Gods alone"

You mentioned that many U.S. states with the death penalty still have high crime rates. The counter-argument is that without it, violent crime in those states would be even worse.

I would also argue that in states where violent crime persists despite the death penalty, the issue may lie more with weaknesses in the justice system.

I can promise you that when we all watch the execution of Charlie Kirk's murderer, it will have a massive effect on all other like minded individuals. No death penalty will increase the number of crazies.

3. "Matthew 7 is not only in relation to eternal judgement,"

I agree that God is the ultimate judge. But I am harping on your words here as many misuse Matt 7. Nowhere in Matt 7 does Jesus mention 'eternal judgement'. He is speaking about the here and now. It is the context of Matt 7 that we need to better grasp. As touched on in my OP.