“Judge not, that you be not judged.”
This is one of the most quoted verses in all of Scripture. It is often used as a defense when someone feels criticized or held accountable. But what if Jesus was not calling us to silence or passivity? What if “do not judge” meant something more thoughtful and intentional?

Let’s take a deeper look.

1. What Does “Judge Not” Actually Mean?

Matthew 7:1–2 says:

“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.”

Jesus is not forbidding all judgment. He is warning against hypocritical judgment — the kind that stems from pride, superiority, or blindness to our own faults.

In verses 3–5, Jesus uses the image of someone trying to remove a speck from another person’s eye while ignoring the log in their own. The message is not to ignore the speck, but to address our own brokenness first. We cannot help others if we are unwilling to confront what is within ourselves.

This kind of judgment — self-righteous and lacking self-awareness — is what Jesus is confronting here. But Scripture also shows us what healthy, godly judgment looks like.

2. What About Righteous Judgment?

1 Corinthians 5:12–13 says:

“For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside.”

Paul is writing to the Corinthian church about a case of sin that the church had ignored. He makes a clear distinction between judging those inside the church and those outside of it. Christians are not called to judge the world — that is God's role — but we are responsible for one another within the body of Christ.

This lines up with Jesus’ teaching. Judgment within the church is not about condemnation. It is about accountability, healing, and restoration. When done right, it is an act of love. When done poorly, it becomes a weapon.

3. Seeing Through the Eyes of Compassion

Matthew 9:12 gives us another lens:

“Healthy people don’t need a doctor — sick people do.” (NLT)

When the Pharisees criticized Jesus for spending time with sinners, He responded with compassion. He did not deny their need for healing. He acknowledged it — and stepped in as the healer. He treated people as patients, not problems.

This shows us the tone we should have when approaching others. We are not judges in a courtroom. We are fellow patients pointing each other to the only real cure.

4. The Balance of Grace and Truth

Jesus never compromised truth. He never ignored sin. But He always approached people with mercy and clarity. As His followers, we are called to that same tension.

That means:

  • We do not avoid hard conversations

  • We do not shame people for struggling

  • We speak with love and clarity, not superiority

Before speaking into someone else’s life, we must first do the work in our own. And when we do speak, it should reflect the same gentleness Jesus used with those who were hurting and lost.

5. Verse 6 — Discernment Is Still Required

Matthew 7:6 says:

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.”

After teaching on judgment, Jesus ends with a reminder that discernment still matters. Not everyone will receive the truth. Not every conversation is fruitful. Wisdom is knowing when to speak and when to step back.

This is not about devaluing others. It is about recognizing when someone is not in a place to receive what you are offering. Even Jesus walked away from certain conversations and places. Discernment is part of spiritual maturity.

Conclusion: The Call to Humble Discernment

“Do not judge” is not a command to ignore sin or avoid speaking truth. It is a call to self-awareness and grace. It invites us to start with our own hearts, approach others with compassion, and seek restoration instead of punishment.

Before we speak, we ask:

  • Have I examined myself first?

  • Am I motivated by love or pride?

  • Does this reflect the heart of Christ?

Real judgment, the kind that brings healing and unity, begins with humility and ends with hope.

Let’s be people who live out that kind of grace — full of truth, full of love, and always pointing others toward healing, not harm.