Does anyone know what "judge not" means?

Question

Apparently from the look of recent posts a lot of "Christians" are having a hard time with this one.It basically means, mind your own dam* business,live and let live, even if someone disagrees with you.But I know...whats the fun in being a pacifist right.People would rather let their ego get up on it's hind legs and tear someone down to make themselves feel better,even though it doesn't work that way.sad.

Answer 1

Jesus said "judge not," but readers should not be too quick to judge what he meant.

Matt 7:1-2: "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."

Here Jesus is saying we need to apply God's standards, not human standards. That message is even plainer in John 8:15-16: "You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me."

Perhaps the clearest meaning is apparent in John 7:2. When some of Jesus' enemies accused him of being demon-possessed, he said, "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

Judging by mere appearances is a prejudicial judgment, the worst use of human standards imaginable. Yet, we must make judgments constantly--what to eat, what to wear, whether to take drugs, whether to honor movie starts, whether to save a life or commit suicide.

In all things, our task is to make a right judgment.

Cheers
Bruce

Answer 2

Yes, I think this is a very misunderstood passage.

First, we can and should judge:

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 Don't you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (3) Don't you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?

Second, we should not judge in a way we don't want to be judged (look down on people, be hypocrites etc.):

Matthew 7:1-5 "Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. (2) For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. (3) Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye? (4) Or how will you tell your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye;' and behold, the beam is in your own eye? (5) You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye.

Hopefully, I haven't been hypocritical and looking down on others. If so, please bring the incident to my attention and I'll apologize. I have pointed out differences between what I believe and others quite a bit. I'm more than fine if they point out differences as well.

Thanks,

Mike

Answer 3

Hmm? If your interpretation is correct, why exactly are you asking this question as it *judges* others? (Exactly what you are telling others not to do.) Not only do you judge others, but with your man-made law you condemn (judge) yourself. Think about it.

Do you feel judged? Don't look at me. You just judged yourself! Go ahead and make up some more laws for yourself that you are unable to keep. Maybe then you'll realize that there's absolutely no way you can keep even your own laws & you will be crying for what God's *objective* Law is. A law that isn't subject to man's whims & desires. Maybe then it will convict you that you are also a sinner, like the rest of us, and in desperate need of forgiveness.

Are you ready to hear what God's Law says?

Answer 4

Judging is a matter reserved for God and God alone. He is the only one that knows the heart. He is the only one that determines our final destinies.

There is, however, the ability to judge an action, like lying or stealing. These are objective events that are intrinsically evil and can rightly be judged as wrong. People, though, tend to think that when you judge the act that you're also judging the person. That is totally incorrect. Again, judgement of the person is only for God, but we do have the ability to judge an act, like murder and/or dishonoring our parents, etc.

Answer 5

Judge Not means you can't make the judgement of someone going to Hell or Not. A person does not have the authority to judge that because they do not know what is in a person's mind.

We are allowed to judge though when it pertains to ourselves. We are allowed to judge whether or not someone is a good influence in our lives. that type of judgment is allowed. But it doesn't mean to force stuff on them, or to treat them badly...

Latter Day Saint

Answer 6

Yes. We do. And it obviously does not mean what you THINK it means.

Your mistaken biblical exegesis is also an idea based upon the most misquoted and misunderstood Scripture in all of the Bible (IMHO).

Jesus did say, "judge not". However, is it our duty to keep qualified, discerning conclusions to ourselves in order to avoid "judging"?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Matthew 7:1 does not teach that it is sinful to confront and, if necessary, publicly expose evil!!!

If this were so, how could Jesus say, "And if you brother sins, go and reprove him...?"

How could Jesus go on to say, "And if he refuses to listen...tell it to the church"? (Matthew 18:15,17).

How could Jesus' apostle, Paul, say, "Do you not judge those who are within the church?...Remove the wicked man from among yourselves" (1 Corinthians 5:12,13).

Matthew 7:1 does NOT forbid us either to form or express our opinions about such hypocrites. Jesus expressed such an opinion in this very passage. In Matthew 7:5 He said, "You hypocrite." John the Baptist expressed his opinion of the Pharisees publicly to their faces, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Matthew 3:7). We must do the same. Jesus in this very chapter (Matthew 7:15,16,20) commanded, "Beware of false prophets...you will know them by their fruits."

It's time for Christians to stop being bound by such false interpretation and to start dealing with sin. "Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive with them" (Proverbs 28:4)

Answer 7

Biblically the meaning of "Judge Not" is closer to "Don't falsely accuse" than "Mind your own business".

Answer 8

YOU ARE WRONG

That scripture refers to telling someone they are going to hell, and only God can do that.
But, I can judge whether someone is doing something bad or not: God gave us brains you know. By your reasoning, no Christian could ever serve on a jury. That's just dumb.

Answer 9

Judge not means not worry about what others do.

Answer 10

it means you do not judge others, least you will be judged according to how you judged others. meaning Judge, not just about Hell.