“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
December 18, 2018 - I hear parts of this verse quoted or at least repeated so much that I feel we should clear up its meaning and intended usage.
This is not telling you, as some would suggest, that you can never judge another person that you must have associations with. No, you must indeed judge others intentions toward you and others or you will be taken advantage of daily in this evil world.
God did not put you here to walk around in a stupor letting the world run over you each day, no, he gave you a brain to use to do his work and to protect yourself and your loved ones here on earth from this cruel world and those Jesus called; “of the devil”.
Jesus makes this statement concerning being taken advantage of by those “of the devil”.
“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn and attack you.” (Matthew 7:6)
Now, I ask; does that sound like you are not to judge others that you have dealings with? No, quite the contrary, they judge themselves by their words and deeds and by the fruit they bear, good fruit does not grow on bad trees, good fruit grows only on good trees.
Now, what verses 1 and 2 are referring to and must be followed to the letter of the scripture on; is judging the relationship of another human with Almighty God. No matter what you may feel about someone it is not your right to judge if that person is saved or not saved. That is left only to God and to NO ONE on earth.
People always bring judgment on themselves by the way they live their lives, by the way they treat others, by the things they deem important.
For those who are living in the world, living for the material things of this world they're deeds show that if they are saved, they are infants in Christ. They may be saved but have not given completely of themselves and are still living “of the world”. These people will, however, remain saved and hopefully, they will grow in faith and become more mature in their relationship with the Lord.
If you were to judge this person you might very well judge him to be not saved and that would not go well for you with God for as he said; “with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged. You will receive the same judgment as you rendered to another.
Not good…
Instead of judging another's relationship with God instead ask God to give you the answer to whether or not you should associate with that person or not.
As the scripture says; Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
We are all too quick to use our own understanding in judging others and Solomon cautions us against this in the Proverbs when he says; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
He waits for you to ask him for his will and his wishes for you and if you ask in faith, it will be given and your way will become easier.
So, trust in the Lord and ask him to guide you each day through life, if you do this is faith with trust, it will happen. May the Lord’s blessings be yours this day…
