Judge not lest ye be judged?

Question

The bible says we should not judge. But does this mean we should not judge people for when they do good as well as bad? If so, does this mean that compliments are really a sin?

Compliments are said based on judging something the person has done, usually what we see as something good. So yes, when you compliment, you've already judged.

Answer 1

No, the Bible is very judgmental:

Leviticus 19:15
In righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

John 7:24
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

1 Corinthians 2:15
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13
For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

1 Corinthians 6:2-3
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?.

If telling you your avatar is hot, is wrong... then I don't want ot be right.

Answer 2

The Bible doesn't say that Christians should abstain from judging; what it DOES say is that we're supposed to judge with righteousness. The problem is that many folks artificially isolate the verse you quoted and fail to take the multitude of other verses regarding judgement into account.

For example, 1 Cor. 6:1-11 discusses Christians judging other Christians instead of bringing fellow believers to court. Paul writes: "2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?"

So if we're someday going to judge the world and angels, we have to learn righteous judgement. Jesus taught that the time to learn how to do that is now. What we CANNOT do is condemn someone for a sin we also commit; we also cannot condemn a person to eternal punishment -- that's God's job.

EDIT: JP, you're completely correct! That's a very wise conclusion you've drawn.

Answer 3

The verse leaves judging up to a person's discernment. It says "Judge NOT LEST YOU BE JUDGED.. for by the same measure you judge you TOO WILL BE JUDGED"...
Another verse says, "The spiritual man/woman judges ALL things but he/she themselves are not subject to anyone's judgement."
I see that as leaving room for "reasonable and necessary" judgements. If I make a judgement around the people in the crack house down the street and determine my kids shouldn't go to play with the children there, THAT is a necessary judgement and I won't MIND GOD judging me, by the same measure I used. It would be all good.
There's no sin in using reasonable judgements. God appoints judges all through the bible. We are just not to make those when we have our own huge issues that we are ignoring.
Have a great one! =)

Answer 4

For others will treat you as you treat them. Or For God will treat you as you treat others; Greek reads For with the judgment you judge you will be judged. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. (Matthew 7:2)

As for the compliments, why would complimenting someone be a bad judgment?

God Bless You

Answer 5

Read everything in context. But to be honest I don't think we are the best judges of good or evil. (only God sees into our hearts and knows why we do what we do....maybe some seemingly good people have evil intentions and some that would be judged negatively by us are good with God)

Answer 6

Why not just get rid of our judicial system if we're not supposed to judge anyone's actions?

A great deal of people seem to believe that morality is something that religious folks want to unfailingly impose on others. But for any society or culture to ultimately survive, there must be a standard of morality and ethics. One does not have to religious to live an overall moral and ethical life. I'm a Christian myself but I know non believers whose behavior is beyond reproach. Working in the corrections field, I've come across inmates who professed to be Christians but have obviously broken one or more of the 10 commandments as well as man's laws

I think there are people who misapply "judge not least he be judged" as an excuse for their and others' bad behavior.
The meaning of that phrase, in my opinion, means that if you're going to judge someone else's deeds or actions, be prepared for others to judge you for your deeds or actions. It doesn't give you a license to disobey the law or violate society's moral or ethical boundaries.

Whether one believes in a religious or moral code or leads a completely hedonistic existence, there will always be consequences as a result of one's behavior. The consequences may not be immediate or appear to be directly related to the original action. The transgressor may not suffer the consquences themselves but those around them may innocently become victims.

Answer 7

God's Word and Will for those who willingly choose to follow are not intended to be imposed upon those who do not choose to follow The Word and Will of God... God will, ultimately, judge those... basically that saying is intended to mean that those who are of The True Christian Faith, as those are the only ones it applies to, are not to impose God's Word upon others.... as to "judging" whether or not someone is behaving according to some social rule or not... that is routinely done by ALL

Compliments may be freely given to any who deserve them.

Answer 8

Compliments are not considered judging.

Answer 9

NO! The Bible says no such thing!

"Judge not others, lest ye be judged my your own measure. For in the way you measure, it will be measured unto you."

The prohibition is against HYPOCRACY, not judgement. If we abstain from all moral judgement, then the New Testament is proclaiming anarchy.

Answer 10

Compliments are not judging. we are supposed to reward people for their good deeds, thus compliments were born :)