Thou Shall Not Judge
Judge not lest ye be judged" is one of the most famous and widely misunderstood phrases in the Bible. Rather than a blanket rule banning discernment, it is a warning against hypocrisy, unloving condemnation, and judging others by standards you fail to apply to your own life. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The concept appears primarily in the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament: [1, 2]
The Core Verse: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." (Matthew 7:1) [1]
The Plank and the Speck: Jesus warns against pointing out the minor flaws of others while ignoring your own massive faults. You should address your own issues first. [1, 2]
The Type of Judgment: The original Greek word for judge here is krino, which means to condemn or pass a final, critical verdict on someone's soul. It does not mean you cannot discern right from wrong.[1, 2]
What the Bible Actually Means:
Do practice healthy discernment: Jesus Himself commands followers to recognize "false prophets" by their actions and avoid casting "what is sacred to dogs." [1]
Do evaluate with humility: Instead of a hypocritical, condemnatory attitude, believers are encouraged to gently correct others and hold themselves to the same standard. [1, 2]
Leave the final verdict to God: Judging someone's motives, heart, or ultimate spiritual standing is God's domain. [1]
For deeper study on the context of this verse, you can check out guides on The Bible Project or GotQuestions.org.
