Human beings have an innate ability to judge. It makes complete sense—it’s the natural telos of being moral creatures. What’s curious is how often and indiscriminately we feel the obligation to judge everything. We judge people based on the sports teams they cheer for. We judge our co-workers based on punctuality. We judge celebrities based on their Twitter feed. We judge The Bachelorette for choosing to be with that smug chump Jed when clearly Peter was the better guy to settle down and raise a family with. It doesn’t matter the arena of life or culture; we all make judgments all the time.
On one level, making moral evaluations is a good and necessary thing. It’s how we create the boundaries that keep us out of trouble. But how we judge is a separate issue. How we judge reveals what’s inside of us, regardless of the moral validity or truthfulness of the object of our judgment.
How we judge is a topic Jesus puts under his microscope in the final chapter of the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 7 begins with Jesus’ words:
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matt. 7:1-5)
In short, He says, “Stop judging like a jerk.”
What it Means ‘To Judge…’
Certainly, Jesus isn’t telling us never to judge. In the next verse His command is to make a judgment based on who we should or shouldn’t throw our pearls to (Matt. 7:6). Even Paul reminds the Corinthian church to judge those inside the church to ensure relational health (1 Cor. 5:9-13). Judgment is not the issue. It’s how we judge.
The answer to “how” gets a little clearer when we understand what Jesus means by the command. “Judge” has a massive semantic range in Greek, and here it makes most sense to read it as, “don’t be judgmental.” That is, don’t adopt a critical spirit; don’t have a condemning attitude.
Ok, let’s pause. Think about the thoughts and conversations you have with people or about ideas you disagree with. Do the words ‘judgmental,’ ‘critical,’ or ‘condemning’ describe you? Think about the texts, emails, or social media posts you’ve written. Would those words qualify your tone? Have other people accused you of those attitudes? In an honest moment of self-reflection, do you ever judge like a jerk?
For me, Jesus’ words cut like a dagger.
How Do We Judge
How then do we make judgments without being a jerk? How do we stand firmly on and for truth without being hyper-judgmental, critical, or condemning?
Clearly it’s a loaded question, but I would simplify the answer to two words: be Holy and be Humble.
Be Holy.
Matthew 7 is the beginning of Jesus’ conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, and in chapters 5 and 6 He unapologetically preached that we should be relentless in pursuit of truth and righteousness. Our thoughts and actions should be informed by a ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ mindset. In other words, we need to be uncompromising in our pursuit of holiness. Holiness is the baseline for our interpersonal, personal, and public interactions. If nothing else, we need to be a people who sprint after Jesus and constantly make judgments with the aim that all things will be aligned with His Kingdom. When we are dogmatic in our holiness, every judgment ought to be characterized by humility.
Be Humble.
Humility is much easier preached than practiced, and that’s why much of the Sermon on the Mount is calling out the self-righteous hypocrites who know all the right things but don’t know the right person. We ought to be humble because we know who we are in light of who God is (Matt. 5:3). We ought to be humble because we grasp, if only a sliver, the patience, grace, and kindness that the Gospel has afforded us. We ought to be humble because we know God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Jas 4:6). We ought to be humble because that’s the example Jesus Himself set (Phil. 2:1-11).
There’s not a simpler way to think about it - if you’re not growing in holiness and humility, you’re not growing in Christ.
Judging Like a Jerk
Do you judge like a jerk? If you’re unsure or confused about whether or not your own behavior puts you in this category, let me help you with a few diagnostic questions.
If you’re politically conservative -
Do you think it’s possible for a godly, Jesus-loving person to lean more liberally on various issues?
If you want to limit the 2nd amendment and ban certain types of firearms and accessories:
Can godly, Jesus-pursuing people have the opposing view?
If you believe that solely male eldership is appropriate within the church:
Can a godly, Christ-like person conclude an egalitarian position?
If you promote and practice the full expression of certain gifts of the Spirit:
Can godly, Jesus-obsessed people believe some gifts have ceased?
Is it possible for people to read the Bible as faithfully as you, and yet come to different conclusions on 2nd and 3rd tier theological issues? (Aside: it’s important to clarify the difference between close-handed and open-handed theological topics. The exclusivity of Jesus, justification, authority of Scripture, etc. do not fall into the 2nd/3rd tier categories. They are solidly close-handed/non-negotiable).
Do you genuinely believe that people can think differently about culture, politics, and faith than you? If so, do your interactions communicate that?
These questions turn my stomach upside down because I know how I should answer, and yet I often judge like a jerk. If not in word, certainly in thought.
I remember reading a quote from D.A. Carson that has stuck with me for some time. He said, “If I wholeheartedly embrace only those fellow Christians who see things exactly the way I do, I will never embrace anyone, except, perhaps, a handful of weak-minded followers.”
We do a lot of damage to each other and to our faith when we act like jerks in this area. I can’t imagine what goes through an unbeliever’s mind when they read what we post about one another, listen to what we say about one another, or see a lack of grace and love extended to one another. For the sake of the kingdom, we have to stop judging like jerks.
This doesn’t start and end in our relationships with other Christians. How do we dialogue with atheists, Buddhists, Hindus, or Muslims? How do we relate with political or cultural ideologies that are proudly in opposition to the Bible?
I don't think there should be any distinction. Be holy and be humble. Holiness includes standing resolute on God’s Word and truth. Being wishy-washy or watering down the words of the Bible is not faithfulness in action. But holiness also certainly includes an evangelistic heart for lost people. It trades arrogance and smugness for compassion, and it’s never devoid of humility. Lest we forget, there was a time in our lives when we did not know or believe the Gospel. And in complete grace, God opened our eyes and hearts to see Him for who He truly is. He extended patience and love towards us. How could we not equally extend that towards our unbelieving acquaintances now?
Yes, be firm. Yes, be proud. But never be a jerk.
Two Final Thoughts
To the theological watch-dogs:
I’m grateful for you who have high Bible IQs and who cherish theological depth. The church is better off because of you. However, no one benefits from abrasiveness or aggression. Don’t misconstrue love of truth for love of being right. Remember what Paul says to the Galatians, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Gal. 6:1)
Watch out for the ‘what-abouts’:
If while reading this blog you thought, “Yeah, but what-about when…” there’s a good chance that a jerky response is about to come out of your mouth. When your first reaction is to squirm and redirect, pause instead. Open up Matthew 7, think, and pray. Look inside yourself before you look outside.
We’ll never stop making judgments. It’s how we faithfully function in a life of faith. But let's be people who pay attention to how we make our judgments. Let there never be a charge brought against any of us that our interactions both in person and online are characterized by anything but love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
