Few Bible verses are quoted more often—or understood less accurately—than Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1: “Judge not, that you be not judged.” These five words have become the go-to defence against moral critique, the ultimate conversation-ender when anyone dares suggest choices have consequences or that some ways of living might be better than others.

But here’s the problem: if Jesus really meant what most people think He meant—that we refrain from making moral evaluations or distinctions—then He spent the rest of His ministry contradicting Himself. Within the same sermon, He tells us to discern between dogs and the holy, to recognise false prophets by their fruits, and to help others remove specks from their eyes. Either Jesus was confused about His own teaching, or we’ve misunderstood His warning entirely.

 

READING JESUS IN CONTEXT

The Sermon on the Mount isn’t a collection of random sayings but a unified teaching on what life in God’s kingdom looks like. By chapter 7, Jesus has spent considerable time exposing religious hypocrisy—those who make a show of their righteousness while missing the heart of God’s law. Now He turns to relationships and wisdom, beginning with these challenging words about judgement.

But notice what happens immediately after “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Jesus tells a parable about someone with a log in their eye trying to remove a speck from their brother’s eye. The punchline? “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” (Matthew 7:5).

Read that again carefully. Jesus doesn’t say, “Don’t worry about the speck—live and let live.” He says “first take the log out… and then you will see clearly to take the speck out.” In other words, He commands the very thing He seems to forbid—removing specks from others’ eyes. The issue isn’t whether we should help others with their problems; it’s the order and attitude we bring to that help.

The immediate context confirms this reading. Just one verse later, Jesus says, “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs” (7:6). This requires discernment—judgement about who is ready to receive sacred truth. Later that same chapter, He warns about false prophets and says, “By their fruits you will know them” (7:16-20). Knowing people by their fruits demands careful evaluation, yes, even judgement.

 

WHAT JESUS ACTUALLY FORBIDS (AND COMMANDS)

Jesus forbids certain kinds of judgement while commanding others. Understanding this distinction is crucial for faithful Christian living.

• Jesus forbids hypocritical judgement—condemning in others what we excuse in ourselves. When we’re harsh with others’ failings while blind to our own, we’ve missed the heart of His teaching. Calvin observed the problem isn’t the act of judging but the self-righteous spirit that often accompanies it.
• Jesus forbids hasty judgement—drawing conclusions without sufficient evidence or understanding. Love requires that we listen before we speak, seek to understand context, and consider charitable interpretations of others’ actions.
• Jesus forbids final judgement—assuming God’s prerogative to determine someone’s eternal destiny. We can evaluate actions and their consequences, but we cannot see into hearts or pronounce ultimate verdicts on souls.

But Jesus also commands righteous discernment in multiple areas. Church discipline requires careful judgement about sin and repentance (Matthew 18:15-20). Leadership evaluation demands assessment of character and qualifications (1 Timothy 3). Doctrinal discernment calls us to test teachings against Scripture (1 John 4:1). And restoration ministry requires gentle correction of those caught in sin (Galatians 6:1).

The Westminster Confession wisely notes Christ has given the church authority to exercise spiritual discipline—which necessarily involves making judgements about conduct and doctrine. This isn’t a contradiction of Matthew 7:1; it’s the proper application of it.

 

HOW TO JUDGE RIGHTEOUSLY

So how do we navigate the tension? How do we exercise necessary discernment while heeding Jesus’ warning? Three principles can guide us:

First, examine our hearts. Before addressing anyone else’s issues, ask yourself: What’s motivating me? Am I seeking this person’s good or my own vindication? Do I approach with humility, remembering my own failures and need for grace? Is my goal restoration or condemnation? The log-and-speck parable isn’t just about moral inventory; it’s about heart posture.

Second, meet the evidence standard. Fair judgement requires sufficient evidence, careful listening, and charitable interpretation. James reminds us to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (1:19). This means taking time to understand circumstances, asking clarifying questions, and assuming the best until proven otherwise.

Third, speak the truth in love. Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 4:15 provides the model: we speak truth, but always in love. The goal is building up, never tearing down. We follow the Matthew 18 process—private conversation before public confrontation. We approach with gentleness and patience (2 Timothy 2:24-25). And we remember love sometimes requires difficult conversations precisely because we care about the other person’s wellbeing.

 

BEYOND THE FALSE CHOICE

Modern culture presents us with a false choice: either accept everything uncritically or become harsh, judgemental people. But Jesus offers a third way—communities marked by both grace and truth, where people care enough about each other to speak honestly and lovingly into each other’s lives.

This isn’t easy. It requires the kind of humility that regularly examines our own hearts and motives. It demands the wisdom to know when and how to speak. It calls for the courage to have difficult conversations and the grace to receive correction ourselves.

Jesus’ “dire warning” in Matthew 7:1 isn’t ultimately about silencing moral reasoning or avoiding difficult conversations. It’s about ensuring that when we do exercise judgement—as we inevitably must—we do so with the same mercy we hope to receive. Because the measure we use will indeed be measured back to us.

 

‘JUDGE NOT, LEST…’: RELATED FAQs

How do we interpret “the measure you use will be measured back to you”? DA Carson and John Stott emphasise this isn’t karma but a principle of divine justice—God will judge us with the same standard of mercy or harshness we apply to others. Tim Keller notes this creates a powerful incentive for grace: if we want mercy when we face judgement, we must extend mercy to others. The phrase doesn’t eliminate judgement but calls us to judge with the same compassion we hope to receive.

• What’s the difference between judgement and discernment in Reformed theology? Reformed scholars like Sinclair Ferguson distinguish between “judgement” (final condemnation) and “discernment” (careful evaluation). RC Sproul taught that discernment is a Christian duty—we must evaluate teachings, behaviours, and situations against Scripture. The key difference is that discernment seeks restoration and truth, while forbidden judgement seeks condemnation and superiority.
• How does this passage relate to church discipline in Reformed practice? John MacArthur and others argue Matthew 7:1 actually supports rather than undermines church discipline. The “log and speck” teaching shows self-examination must precede correction, but correction itself is commanded. Reformed churches following Matthew 18 practice what Joel Beeke calls “redemptive discipline”—judgement aimed at restoration, not punishment, exercised by those who’ve first examined their own hearts.

Did Jesus actually practice what He preached here in His own ministry? Absolutely, say scholars like Craig Blomberg. Jesus consistently demonstrated righteous judgement—He called out pharisaical hypocrisy, cleansed the temple, and warned against false teachers. But His judgements were always accurate, motivated by love, and aimed at redemption rather than condemnation. His harshest words were reserved for religious leaders who should have known better, showing the principle of proportional responsibility.

• How do we account for Jesus calling people “dogs” and “pigs” in verse 6? Kevin DeYoung and others note these aren’t personal attacks but wisdom about evangelistic strategy. Jesus uses hyperbolic language (common in Jewish teaching) to warn against giving sacred things to those who will only trample them. This requires judgement about receptivity and readiness—ironically proving that discernment is necessary for faithful ministry.
• What about Romans 14’s instruction that we refrain from judging in matters of conscience? Reformed scholars like Tom Schreiner distinguish between clear biblical commands and matters of Christian liberty. Paul’s instruction not to judge in disputable matters (like food laws) doesn’t contradict Jesus’ teaching about necessary discernment in moral issues. The key is distinguishing between Scripture’s clear teachings and areas where mature Christians may legitimately disagree.

How does the Reformed view differ from other Protestant interpretations? While most Protestant traditions agree on the basic interpretation, Reformed theology particularly emphasises the corporate responsibility of the church community in exercising discipline and discernment. Lutheran scholars like David Scaer focus more on individual conscience, while Reformed scholars like Cornelis Venema stress the church’s collective duty to maintain doctrinal and moral standards. Pentecostal interpreters often emphasise spiritual discernment gifts, while Reformed theology grounds discernment in careful Scripture study and pastoral wisdom.

 

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