Matthew 7:1
Do not judge lest you be judged.
“Do not judge.” This has to be one of the most historically misunderstood verses in the Bible. Christians and non-Christians alike are able to quote it when the finger is pointing at them. Too bad they’re just as fast to dismiss it when the pointing is directed elsewhere. Most of the confusion comes from not approaching the Scripture with an open heart. Instead, we come to the Scriptures, and this verse in particular, looking for an advocate in some situation we think is unfair. If you read on, it’s obvious that Jesus had the same concern for His listeners.
When Jesus commands you not to judge, He uses a word that means “to condemn” or “to judge for the purpose of hurting another person.” This is what the Pharisees were doing in John 8 when the woman in adultery was brought to Jesus. In verse 11 He says to her, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.” Did Jesus excuse the woman’s behavior? No… of course not, but He didn’t condemn her either. Jesus’ response to this situation is an excellent model of what He commands you to do in Matthew 7.
As a Christian, you are expected to help keep other believers accountable to their Lord. You are also expected to place yourself under their accountability. The problem develops, says Jesus, when you fail to notice the same sin in your own life, or when you attempt to mask slander with “accountability”. If this is the judgment that Christ warns against doing, why do you practice it so much? In fact, don’t you avoid true accountability on top of the unfair judgments you make?