Matthew 7:12 - So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Perhaps one of the most misunderstood scriptures in the Bible is Matthew 7:12. "Judge not that ye be not judged." To many people it means that we can make no judgment at all about whether or not a person's behavior is right or wrong. However in verse 24 of the same chapter Jesus says not to judge according to appearance but "judge righteous judgment." So did Jesus contradict himself? Is there a contradiction when Paul tells us that a believer must go to court before the church and not world? (I Corinthians chapter 6) Obviously not. We must read the entire chapter of Matthew 7 to understand this verse in context. Let's look at it. Verse 2 says, "In the same way you judge others you will be judged." This is the key to understanding the whole chapter." Jesus is telling us not to judge other people with different standards than we judge ourselves.
Our world would be in chaos if there was absolutely no judgment. If a judge and jury couldn't hear the evidence of a crime, people would literally get away with murder. (No pun intended,) If a skilled musician couldn't correct a student, the student would never become a master pianist. If a panel couldn't judge pies at the county fair, who would win the ribbon? I am glad someone judged whether or not my physician and nurses were ready to have a medical license. Someone judged that I was competent in my driving test and worthy of a license. You get the picture.
What Jesus meant is that we should judge fairly. As the old saying goes, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Judgment in the right context is not only acceptable but necessary. It is perfectly acceptable for a father to correct his child from cursing. Now if the father is cursing but telling the child not to, this is not righteous judgment. But a father who doesn't use foul language might say this: You do not hear your mother and me use that kind of language and you will not be allowed to use that word either. If I hear you use it again you will be punished. He has taught a lesson and laid down the rules. Righteous judgment.
The problem is that when it comes to spiritual things we can all get "preachy." It is easy to overlook our own faults and see only the faults of others. This is why we must all have accountability. We need fellowship with other Christians to remind us that we live to a higher standard than the unbeliever. We need to be inspired to do our best. And we need correction when we mess up. We need someone that knows the word of God to be able tell us when we are doing wrong and show us how to do better. It must be done in love, yes, but it must be done. If not, how will we ever know what are and are not supposed to do?
Many people expect the church members to be perfect. We all know better but somehow we expect it anyway. I'm glad that my fellow members are not perfect. If they were perfect I would not fit in because I am still struggling with some things. I have grown but I have a lot growth yet before I am mature (perfect). My fellow church members are patient with me and I must be patient with them as well. I do not want them to excuse my behavior. I want to be inspired, encouraged, and even compelled to do better. I will not ask them to do anything I am not willing to do. Why? Because the scales must be balanced. I must be judged with the same judgment I mete out. This is the real meaning of Judge not that ye be not judged.
Is judgment necessary? Absolutely! But our judgment must always reflect the word of God and not our own opinions. We can all make mistakes but the word of God is perfect. So judge me preacher. Judge me, saint of God. Help me to grow but remember to do it in love. And when you need correction I will correct you in love. By doing this, we will all grow together into "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13).
Blessings,
Sullivan Jones