©2002 Charles Darby
Mat 7:1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Many, in the church of this generation, use this scripture to justify some sin they are doing. Some are committing sins that the scripture plainly says will not inherit the kingdom of God. (See Galatians Chapter five as well as other scriptures.) This scripture was never intended to give a liberty to commit a known sin.
Here is the meaning of the word “Judge” in Matthew 7:1-2, according to the Greek/Hebrew dictionary. 2919. krino, kree'-no; prop. to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by impl. to try, condemn, punish:--avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
Jesus, as most know, didn't come into the world to condemn but rather to set free those who were/are bound in sin. Here in Matthew He is telling us not to condemn either. We have the ministry of reconciliation. We, as ministers of the New Testament, are to tell people there is a remedy for your sin. God has prepared for Himself a Lamb. He gave His only begotten son a sacrifice for sin and now, if you will believe in Him you can be delivered and set free.
I ask you what does a Judge do? Does He not hear all the evidence in a situation and then, based on the evidence, He passes sentence. Only God has the right to pass sentence, thus “Judge” and condemn anyone. Only He will have all the final evidence. We can fool all those around us but we will not fool God, He knows even the thoughts and intents of our heart.
Now let's look at plain scripture that says we are to judge a thing right or wrong according to scripture.
1 Cor 6:4-5 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
The word judge in 1st Corinthians means, according to the Greek/Hebrew dictionary.
1252. diakrino, dee-ak-ree'-no; from G1223 and G2919; to separate thoroughly, i.e. (lit. and reflex.) to withdraw from, or (by impl.) oppose; fig. to dscriminate (by impl. decide), or (reflex.) hesitate:--contend, make (to) differ (-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver.
This is what teaching, preaching, Bible study, etc. is all about. We must learn what the scripture says about a thing and judge ourselves if we are walking in truth or not. If we see a brother or sister commit a sin we should go to them, in love, pointing out what the scripture says about it. We are not to condemn, pass sentence, and tell them they are going to hell for what they are doing. If this brother or sister is sincere about their walk with the Lord they will appreciate knowing the truth.
One other thing before I go. We all must grow up in the knowledge of our Lord. We should not be trying to force feed God's children. Milk belongs to babies and meat belongs to those who are ready for it. The Holy Spirit is able to make any message be just what those who hear or read need.
Thank you for reading.
