when jesus said judge not lest ye be judged, was this a commandment or a suggestion?

Question

the reason i ask, is because i see so many christians, both in real life and here on YA, that i just have to wonder if it is only a suggestion or are all of these people commiting a sin?

Answer 1

It is neither. Jesus said if you judge expect to be judged the same He did not say do not judge.

Answer 2

The entire verse says "Judge not lest you be judged... FOR by what measure YOU judge YOU too will be judged"
There's another verse that says: "The spiritually man judgeth all things, yet he himself not subject to any mans judgement." 1 Corinthians 2-15
So the meaning is not that we shouldn't judge, it merely means that IF we DO judge we need to make it reasonable, with a proper basis, and not be concerned IF God judges us on our judgement.
Some judgement's are absolutely necessary. IE: My son wants to go play at a child's house down the street, a home that I know the parents sell crack out of... WHEN I say NO, it's because I have made a judgement on the people and the scene, and it's absolutely necessary I protect my child.
All in perspective. God appointed judges all through the bible, and in the church the church is to "expel and immoral brother" for committing adultery... in order to do that, a judgement MUST be made.
Christians LIE if they say they don't judge.. we ALL do, it's part of life, and absolutely necessary.
Have a great one =)

Answer 3

Mathew 7:1-5

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother 'Let me take the speck out of your eye', when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brothers eye".

We are all guilty of judging others. And to go against any of God's words, (suggestions or otherwise) it's a sin. God Bless, I hoped this helped.

Answer 4

Nor a commandment, nor a suggestion.. Have you heard " Do unto others as you would have done to you" It is a lesson on justice, charity,peace"{ Because you will be judged by your actions. It has to do with the second part of the first commandment "and thy brother as you love yourself" As to Christians, many are just in appearance. I f you refer to people judging others, as it is not the same advise-judge, passing judgment, making comments in the wrong way, yes, it is a sin. You should judge yourself " Don't seek the , don't remember the exact term used in N.T. see the one on your eye first" We mostly judge others because they remind us of our stupid actions.

Answer 5

Actually, it was more of a warning:

If you judge others and justify doing so; then people judging you are justified doing so...

Jesus was trying to point out the begining of a vicious circle of self-righteous hatred.

The problem with YA, just like any other chat, is that people think, because this is anonymous, that they can say whatever they like. In a non-virtual conversation, most of the "flamers" would keep quiet...

Flaming someone on the Net is a victimeless crime, it's like punching someone in the dark...

Answer 6

It's a warning to hypocrites (in the context of the passage, to Pharisees). It is perfectly legitimate, and even required of us, to judge behaviors as being good or evil. But if you're looking down on somebody for sinning in ways you yourself are, then that will be brought against you on judgment day. Example: you judging Christians who judge between right and wrong,

Answer 7

It's wisdom...a wise person is one that can see both sides of the "story"....judging is an opinion limiting your view to only one side....it's like saying touch that fire and it will burn you....judge and you will be judge as well....it's wisdom from an enlighten source. My favorite writing is...the great road to enlightenment is easy for those who have no preference. But, to answer your question it was a truth that Jesus made to help ease life on a divided Earth.

Answer 8

it's a karmic warning...... chiristianity introduced by the Romans 2000 yrs or so ago was not introduced by the "powers of good" by any stretch of the imagination.... the bible was introduced as a tool of conquest. as they judge those who are not of their religion, in the time of nature's healing and return to power they will be judged.... if we look at the history of both the catholic church and the christians we see they judge us to death.... the foolish christians would call their deserving judgment (death) a rapture. It's the same as when they go insane (like a demonic possesion really) they call it speaking in tongues..... it is quite an illness being christian.

Answer 9

Christians know that ALL people are sinners... but they are also admonished to look at the plank in their own eye before they can worry about the speck in their brother's eye...it is what is expected of Christians, it is not an idle suggestion.
However, the urge to judge others is also a human frailty, and ALL humans are susceptible to it...NOT just Christians...

Answer 10

It was his directive, so we are required to obey it.

HOWEVER....we must also understand EXACTLY what He meant.

We are NOT to judge the inner heart of man. We are not to judge whether they are "good" or "bad"; whether they are sincere or false; whether they will go to hell or heaven. THAT ALONE IS FOR GOD TO JUDGE.

We ARE, however, called to judge outward behavior. Matthew 18:15-17:
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.".

God said it. End of story.

Answer 11

This is more of a commandment, but not only for Christians. God's word is the same for everyone.

We are allowed to correct each others behavior in brotherly love when we see that things are not quite like they should be. : )