“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ¹ For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ²”

(Matthew 7:1–2, NIV)

Do We KNOW the Appropriate Time to Judge?

(1) How many of us here today know that our society detests moral absolutes? A recent poll estimated that 72% of Americans between the ages of 18–25 do not believe in absolute truth or in moral absolutes. They tell us that relativism takes the clearly observable fact that we have a multitude of views and values and practices in this world, and draws the illegitimate conclusion that there is no justifiable way of choosing among them.

(2) Truth is merely opinion, goodness only what the majority says it is. In one public high school, the sociology textbook being used says, “Everything is right somewhere, and nothing is right everywhere.” Let me translate this: there are no absolute moral standards in the universe. Everything is relative. The mantra of this “No Absolutes” thinking causes many to shy away from the exclusivity of the Christian message for fear of backlash, torment, or…

(3) The Wall Street Journal had a story on Reverend Bruce Robbins, the staff leader for the United Methodist Church, who was explaining that Methodists are encouraged to share their faith but qualified this with the caution to be very careful about trying to target other groups for evangelism. He explained, “We have to honor diversity. We believe that God’s call through Jesus is universal and that other people know God through their religious traditions.”

(4) However, as long as we are in this mortal life, we shall necessarily come into contact with those whose lives are godless and evil. Evil people and seducers will wax worse and worse. People will always abound who will not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to godliness. There will always be perverse disputings of the Adamic race—corrupt minds, destitute of the truth, and enemies…

(5) …to whatever is pure, lovely, holy, and of good report. In chapter 7, we see this paragraph of the Sermon on the Mount where our Lord sets Himself to show us how to act toward such. It is clear that the Master had no desire that His servants should retire from human society, but should live amongst the Adamic race as salt and light, arresting the progress of corruption and abasing the evil deeds that hide under the cover of darkness. But in addition to the quiet…

(6) …influence of our character, there will always be scope for a further exercise of Christian principle. In what direction, and to what extent, is this to take effect, and by what laws is it to be governed? In answer to these questions, our Lord lays down a general principle, which is removed as far as possible from that which obtains among people. He says: whatever you do, think, or say about others must be in precise accordance with what you would like them…

(7) …to do, think, or say about yourself. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ¹ For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ²” It is clear that there are three circles in this paragraph of people with whom we are constantly thrown into contact. First, our associates and neighbours, whose characters and conduct are constantly passing in review before us. Secondly, the ones…

(8) …whose lifestyles trouble us. And thirdly, the dogs and swine, which stand for the notoriously vicious and profane. As to our family, associates, and neighbours, our Lord says: First, “Judge not.” We need hardly say that there is a sense in which we are bound to form careful judgments on those around us. The judgment is one of the noblest faculties of our moral life and our surest safeguard from the sharks that infest the seas of life.

(9) The young girl must use it of the man who is seeking to engage her affections; the young man must use it of the man who offers him a partnership; the seeker after truth must use it of the teacher who professes to be able to lead him. There is no prayer that we need more often or more fervently to make than that God would give us right judgment in all things. “He that is spiritual judgeth all things. ¹” But the judgment prohibited by our Lord is altogether…

(10) …different from this, and is that spirit of censoriousness and unkindness which is always lying in wait for others, and making strong and uncharitable statements on the most superficial view of their words and actions, without trying to understand the motives by which they have been actuated or the difficulties of their position. We must never forget that the Adamic race is proud, haughty, and self-opinionated. They have a great contempt for, and a great…

(11) …prejudice toward, those who do not belong to their own sect or party. They are, therefore, very censorious of them, making faults where there are none, and aggravating them where they are. When they have formed, however hastily, their judgment, they truly are not content with contemplating it for themselves—however, they will always take every opportunity of venting it in word and act. If a person like this can win another person to their party, they are dedicated…

(12) …and at the least willing to condone his or her faults; otherwise, they will not scruple to extinguish him or her influence by poisoning the minds of their neighbours and contemporaries. Censorious judgment is a constant peril to us all, and one against which we need to watch and pray. We must never forget—or should I say, BEWARE—lest you fall, having a secret joy in seeing that another irreproachable character has failed! BEWARE lest you form your estimate of…

(13) …another on idle stories, suspicions, suggestions, and surmises, and without sufficient evidence! BEWARE of seeking after a reputation for quickness in estimating the true worth of others, since the desire to maintain such a reputation is fraught with temptation! BEWARE of speaking of the faults of others (except you have prayed about them first)! BEWARE of uttering your criticisms unless there is some end to be gained in warning others!

(14) Beware of speaking of others till you have looked not at their home but at YOUR HOME! Let us never forget this proverb about a glass house! There are some who seem unable to form a generous estimate of any. According to them, there is always some evil motive behind apparent goodness, which detracts from all merit or virtue. “Yes, they do seem religious and humane, but then you know, there is a rich old relative in the background, and it is…

(15) …all-important to keep in touch with them, and that sort of thing goes down well with that discourse.” Or, “Yes, they are religious enough just now, but you know there is someone in the question, and they are perfectly right in the way he is taking to win her.” Ah, it is a sad and miserable state of mind to have no eyes but for wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores, and to find these beneath the surface when they do not appear to the eyes of others.