Judge Not, That You Be Not Judged

“While Jesus was dining at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with Him and His disciples— for there were many who followed Him. When the scribes who were Pharisees saw Jesus eating with these people, they asked His disciples, “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:15-17

Jesus said, “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 However, what Jesus was teaching here is widely misunderstood. A common expression coming from this scripture is, “Don’t judge me.” What’s interesting is that this interpretation infers the opposite meaning of Jesus’s lesson. Jesus is not telling us we should confront others who judge us; he’s telling us not to become the judge of others based on who they are and how they are labeled by others (tax collector, sinner, etc.). All people, no matter what their lifestyle, are in need of God’s love and mercy. The Lord made it clear to us that we are not the one who dictates how we should treat others! “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27

Consequently, this morning while talking with the Lord I asked Him to reveal to me whether or not I have been judgmental toward the many people being misled by today’s local church system or simply revealing how these institutions are misleading many through false doctrines and practices? I instantly had peace in knowing that we must point out the ploys of the adversary (false teachings) for the benefit of those being deceived, but we should not judge those who are being deceived. In other words, if the Lord should give us spiritual insight we should share it as the Lord leads to others for their benefit, but we should not judge those who are being deceived regardless of who they are. This is not to say we should not recognize (or condone) the practice of sin in the lives of others, yet in spite of their sinful ways we must love them as Jesus does and pray for them.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48 Therefore, we must love and not judge others as the Lord has commanded for us to do.

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