Dave Chanski

One of the reasons there is such hesitance among believers to pose the question, “Are you a Christian?”, is that many people think that to ‘judge’ anyone is sinful. It seems that today’s favorite Bible verse–among unbelievers as well as Christians–is Matthew 7:1, “Judge not that ye be not judged.” If someone tells another that he is doing something sinful and ought to stop, he may be met with the rebuke, “Don’t judge!” If he were so bold as to say, “That’s not how a Christian acts”, he may hear the reply, “Why are you judging me?!”

But does the Bible require that we never exercise spiritual discernment in the judgment of anyone’s character? It definitely does not. In fact, Jesus demands that we exercise such discernment when in the very same chapter He says, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16; see verses 15-20). If we did not exercise such judgment, how could we carry out church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:12-13)? If we did not exercise such judgment, how could we responsibly choose leaders in the church (1 Timothy 3:1-12; Titus 1:5-9)?

What do the words “Judge not that ye be not judged” mean then if they are not directing us not to judge at all? They certainly forbid us from forming or expressing conclusions about others while we refuse to admit and deal with our own sins (Matthew 7:3-5). Further, they require that we be willing to subject ourselves to the same standard by which we measure others. Do you think it is sinful for others to gossip? Good. Do you confess it as sin when you gossip (Matthew 7:2; Romans 2:1)? And Jesus’ words definitely do not prohibit us from judging ourselves. In fact, they teach us first and foremost to judge ourselves with judgment day honesty. That is just what this article is calling upon you to do–judge yourself. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Are you a Christian?

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