In 1940 two British RAF pilots, having just completed a dangerous mission, changed into civilian clothes and went to London for dinner. On that day both had received citations for gallantry in battle, but a civilian woman in the restaurant assumed they were men who were merely “sitting out the war.” Adding to her poor judgment, she went boldly to their table and gave each of them a white feather, at that time a badge of cowardice. Had she known the facts she would have honored them as heroes, but instead she dishonored brave men.
Such unfair judgment takes place today, even by those who should know better, and usually for the same reason—we don’t know all the facts. Most of us have done so at times, including this writer.
In Matthew 7, Jesus discussed this subject, saying: “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ” [NKJV]
This familiar passage is often the only verse in the Bible some are willing to remember, thinking that it teaches one thing, when in reality it teaches just the opposite. Many suppose it forbids the making of any judgments, but if we read the entirety of the context, we see that it forbids the kind of judging that is blinded to one’s own faults.
One who is accused of the sin of adultery is often known to respond by saying, ”Don’t you know the Bible says, ‘judge not’?” But, had they read the next verse, they might learn something important: “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”
If Jesus forbids His disciples from making judgments of any sort, how then can those same disciples obey Jesus’ command to “beware of false prophets,” in this same chapter, verse 15? And how could a Christian do what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22? “Prove all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” This is the consequence of taking one verse of scripture and arraying it against another. Not only is this bad exegesis, but it ignores very obvious truths in order to hold to obviously false viewpoints. Choices, decisions, judgments are constantly required by those who follow Jesus. If not, how can we choose that which is right instead of that which is wrong, good rather than evil?
In John 7:24, Jesus gives more instruction on this subject: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
These two statements from Jesus do not contradict, but complement each other. In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus says that His disciples, yea everyone, should look into their own lives before making harsh judgments about others. A person with gross sin in his own life is ill prepared to point the finger of guilt at another. The sin in your own life, the beam, or a “plank” in your own eye, makes it hard to see clearly enough to judge another person’s life. Jesus says, “first” rid yourself of that sin which is in your own life, and “then” you can see well enough to help another to remove a “speck” from his eye.
This is not only biblical, but is full of common sense, seeing man is usually prone to being more harsh with others than he is with himself. In John 7:24, Jesus reminds us that what appears to be the case is not always accurate. A person or an act may appear to be righteous or evil, but when judged objectively, with “righteous judgment,” the very opposite may be true.
Indirectly, Jesus had more to say about this in discussing a similar situation. In Luke 6:31, Jesus said, “Just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” Commonly called the “Golden Rule,” these words address the very principle we are discussing. Few of us would appreciate being judged by insufficient information. Such could easily damage our reputation, our example before our neighbor or our family. In the tension of some circumstances, it may be easy to reach an erroneous conclusion, but the long-term effects can be devastating. Consequently, every person, especially every Christian, should always consider all the facts before we make harsh judgment of another person. That is not only fair, but it is in keeping with all biblical principles.
When Samuel sought one to replace King Saul, God told him, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature...the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart,” 1 Samuel 16:7.
We would all be wiser if we look more on a person’s heart.
