I thought I understood what Jesus was saying in this verse, but a recent interchange with another R&Ser has me wondering .
Luke 6:37
[ Judging Others ] "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Do you think Jesus is admonishing you *not* to be judgemental, and warning you of what will happen if you are?
Or is Jesus giving you leave to judge others, and letting you know that you will also be judged?
Admonition with consequence, or permission with condition?
2007-01-01 11:08:38 · 31 answers · asked by Chickyn in a Handbasket 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Some translations say “do not judge” and “do not condemn.” Such renderings imply “do not start judging” and “do not start condemning.” However, the Bible writers here use negative commands in the present (continuous) tense. So the actions described were currently going on but had to cease.
If we appreciate the merciful nature of God’s justice, we will not be quick to judge others in matters that really do not concern us or that are of lesser importance. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned: “Stop judging that you may not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1) According to Luke’s account, Jesus added: “Stop condemning, and you will by no means be condemned.” (Luke 6:37) Jesus showed his awareness that imperfect humans have a tendency to be judgmental. Any of his listeners who were in the habit of harshly judging others were to stop it.
Why must we “stop judging” others? For one thing, our authority is limited. The disciple James reminds us: “One there is that is lawgiver and judge”—Jehovah. So James pointedly asks: “Who are you to be judging your neighbor?” (James 4:12; Romans 14:1-4) In addition, our sinful nature can so easily render our judgments unfair. Many attitudes and motives—including prejudice, injured pride, jealousy, and self-righteousness—can distort the way we see fellow humans. We have further limitations, and reflecting on these should restrain us from being quick to find fault with others. We cannot read hearts; nor can we know all the personal circumstances of others. Who, then, are we to impute wrong motives to fellow believers or to criticize their efforts in God’s service? How much better it is to imitate Jehovah by looking for the good in our brothers and sisters rather than focusing on their failings!
2007-01-01 11:20:47 · answer #1 · answered by Just So 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Many people misunderstand judging others. So what is judging others,we need to understand that before we can understand what Jesus is saying.
Keep the verse in its context: He also says not to condemn and to forgive. These are attributes of a true Christian. They understand that they have been forgiven and therefore are not condemned. So we should be all the more willing to forgive others when they sin against us.
That brings us to judging. If you form an opinion of the behavior of someone who sinned against you, thinking that you understand what motivated them to this, you now judging their heart and should not do that. But when someone does commit a sin against you, you should acknowledge their sin. Gods Word is our guide to understanding what sin is. Example: do not steal. this is one of the big 10 commandments, so if someone steals something, its okay to acknowledge their sin. But don't try to look into their heart and judge what made them do what they did. And forgiving them is only right since God has forgiven you of your sins.
2007-01-01 11:49:42 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That were not to judge other I believe this due to other verses like
Matthew 7:1-6
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; because the judgements you give are the judgements you will get, and the standard you use will be the standard used for you. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother's eye and never notice the great log in your own? And how dare you say to your brother, 'Let me take that splinter out of your eye,' when, look, there is a great log in your own? Hypocrite! Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother's eye.
You might want to read this
http://www.capalert.com/judgenot.htm
2007-01-01 11:16:19 · answer #3 · answered by singularvision 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A bit of both. We need to make some judgments. We can never know the what the inner motives might be of what others do, so cannot judge the person, only the acts. Jesus also said, "By their fruits you shall know them." That implies some judgment. But even when you hear the worst of the motives, it is best to try to bring the person to a true knowledge of good, and help him/her to overcome whatever holds them back from it.
2007-01-01 11:15:10 · answer #4 · answered by JOYCE M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even the Birds fly in heavens.(Matthew 6:26) be conscious carefully the birds of heaven, because of the fact they do no longer sow seed or gain or collect into storehouses; nevertheless YOUR heavenly Father feeds them. Are YOU no longer relatively worth extra suitable than they are? So he became transferred in mid-heaven like the birds: 2:11—What have been “the heavens” to which “Elijah went ascending interior the windstorm”? those have been neither the distant factors of the particular universe nor the non secular place the place God and his angelic sons stay. (Deuteronomy 4:19; Psalm 11:4; Matthew 6:9; 18:10) “The heavens” to which Elijah ascended have been the atmospheric heavens. (Psalm seventy 8:26; Matthew 6:26) Racing with the aid of earth’s environment, the fiery chariot of course transferred Elijah to a distinctive component of the earth, the place he endured residing for a time. Years later, in certainty, Elijah wrote a letter to Jehoram, the king of Judah.—2 Chronicles 21:a million, 12-15. So he did no longer bypass to heaven, heaven as you're able to think of, making Jesus fact real. At John 3:13.
2016-11-25 21:03:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always taken it to be an admonition. I think it is related to you reap what you sow and in some ways to the parable of the sheep and the goats. It all comes down to "you get what you give". It's a warning with demonstration of consequences.
2007-01-01 11:15:24 · answer #6 · answered by Kelley G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Example: If you judge someone on their appearance, you will also be judge on your appearance. Another Ex. If someone was so beat you up, you have to forgive them, so jesus can forgive you for the sins you commit it against him. I'm not sure about condemn. sorry.
2007-01-01 11:44:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We do not have the power to judge and condemned anyone.This is a serious disease we all had.Who we are?Human......sin and love to do and said bad things.We are not perfect?If we still had the problem like others had ,we do not said anything but change ourselves.In this world of half right and wrong ,we can only do our parts.Do not force others to change ,we change to accept all good and bad but we do not do bad .We follow all good and FORGIVE and FORGET the bad.If we are real good,bad will not even hurt you .God have eyes to see.May God Bless You . Amituofo............
2007-01-01 11:27:58 · answer #8 · answered by Jason Koh 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hes not talking about God's judgmens, condemnation and forgiveness. This particular verse is talking about people. basically if you dont judge others they wont judge you, but if you forgive others, others will be more likely to forgive you as well
2007-01-01 11:13:22 · answer #9 · answered by latenightdrives 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He seems to be saying something similar to His teaching about divorce - God does not want divorce, but gave Moses a procedure for it "because of your hard hearts".
I think He is saying that, while God does not approve, if you choose to be a critical, judgmental person, know that your style of judgment is the style of judgment that will be applied to your own shortcomings.
How many of us would like being treated by God, in the same way we treat people we feel critical toward?
2007-01-01 11:23:22 · answer #10 · answered by guitar teacher 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋