Judge Not Is For Cowards

People often take an argument in the Sermon on the Mount and use it to say we should never judge anyone. That is a popular use of what Jesus said by the secular crowd, especially when someone tries to call them to task over their behavior or lifestyle. While Jesus did say, “Judge not, that you be not judged”, it was not meant how most people use it, as a prohibition on judgment. In reality it is reminder that we reap what we sow since the remainder of the verse, which often gets left by the wayside says,

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:2

Jesus was not saying we should never judge, but that we need to remember the context in which that judgment will be seen by God, our heavenly Father. People of integrity, with great hearts, step forward and judge when necessary, knowing that God will use that same standard in examining their lives. They are not afraid of this intense scrutiny, since at the core of their being they want to correct whatever is wrong with their discipleship process and they are willing to be disciplined wherever and however God finds it necessary. They are not cowards, shrinking back from being a watchman, but bold champions of the faith. They are not afraid to enter into judgment where necessary, albeit always with compassion and discernment.

Sometimes it is good to read how another person addresses the same issue. With that in mind, I want to point you to Kristin of Walking Circumspectly and her article Judge Not, Dude!

May God bless your day, and may you always have a discriminating but compassionate heart.

Update: Kristin has a new article on Jessica Simpson’s reaction to Christians who don’t like her attire in the Dukes of Hazard movie. You might also want to check out So what? by Miss O’Hara. Both of these posts revolve around this same issue.

Christian Carnival Explorers: A hearty welcome to all of you coming from the 82nd Christian Carnival at In The Outer. I invite you to explore this site and comment on what you see. Scripture reminds us that we are sharpened by others who take the time to engage us (Proverbs 27:17 losely applied). We could all use a little sharpening so undertand that while I may not respond to every comment, I do read them all and with appreciation for the willingness of the poster to extend themself, consider what was said. May God use my meager offerings to help you in some way today. Grace and peace.

3 thoughts on “Judge Not Is For Cowards

  1. This is the most out of context quoted scripture in the world. “Don’t judge me,” people say. But judgment calls make up our lives for we are constantly choosing one thing over another. No judgment and we cease being human. Seems to me that Christians who do not know any better use this as a cop-out, as if to say that do not have to engage the culture around them because that would be judging. Shame on us.

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