What did Jesus mean when he said "do not condemn and you will not be condemned"?

[com7fy8]

I think Jesus means to have hope for any and all people. But do tell them what is wrong and what is condemned. But do this with hope for them.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

It is directly and positively absolute when HE tells who will NOT be in heaven, ever.
(no matter what people say or think or do , there will be no thieves in heaven, no liars, no greedy ones, no adulterers, no child offenders, no homosexuals or other perversions, no hot tempered ones, no bearers of false witness against others, and so on (all clearly written in Revelation, et al Scripture) )

What Jesus means is that in a sense God has no absolute standard of judgment, but rather we are judged by the standard we apply to others:

 

[Yarddog]

How can you tell if your neighbor is mired in sin,
or if your neighbor is a devout Christian , either one ?
(or even ones own self , for that matter)
(preferably with Scripture, as Scripture Says (as YHWH Says), or at least not opposed to any Scripture ) ....

Please provide the scripture which says whether my neighbor Pat is going to hell or not. I'll let him know what he can expect.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

Simply put, it means we should be merciful in our dealings with others.

It cannot mean that we should not have laws and courts where temporal judgments are made.
It cannot mean that sinners who mistakenly think they live by a "judge not" principal will not be judged by God on the day of judgement. It cannot be interpreted as a means of escape from the judgement of God.

It has much to do with judgmental attitudes and hypocrisy in the heart, serves as a warning against such.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Please provide the scripture which says whether my neighbor Pat is going to hell or not. I'll let him know what he can expect.

Well, I don't know about the destinations you believe in, but for as who will be saved,
this is basic belief in Scripture known to all the churches! (how is it that some don't know? < shrugs > I don't know) ......

Mark 16:16 - Bible Gateway
Mark 16:16 - Bible Gateway
He who believes [who adheres to and trusts in and relies on the Gospel and Him Whom it sets forth] and is baptized will be saved [from the penalty of eternal death]; but he who does not believe [who does not adhere to and trust in ... Whoever trusts and is immersed will be saved; whoever does not trust will be condemned.

 

[dqhall]

In Luke 6:37 Jesus tells us not to condemn others and not to judge others. Does this mean that condemning others to hell is God's job? And warning people that they're going to hell is a bad thing? How are we to spread the gospel if we can't warn other people about hell?

One may tell people the wages of sin is death. Without going into theories about torture after death, one might witness what people lost in sin, such as alcoholics lost jobs, driver's licenses, houses, wives, children, their health and their lives. There was psoriasis of the liver, brain damage, delirium tremens, hallucinations referred to as "seeing pink elephants," heart disease, liver cancer, etc. That is not exactly Dante's Inferno, but it is real, and a person should avoid such a life of perdition. Likewise there are other sins leading to death and unintended consequences.

One might emphasize the power of the Holy Spirit to lift poor people off the ash heap and to lead homeless people to positions and places in the community. Talk about God's power to heal and make whole, in the name of Jesus. One might speak of God's salvation. Amen.

 

[Yarddog]

Well, I don't know about the destinations you believe in, but for as who will be saved,
this is basic belief in Scripture known to all the churches! (how is it that some don't know? < shrugs > I don't know) ......

Okay then, you admit that what I wrote was correct. There was no need for all the rhetoric that you wrote.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Okay then, you admit that what I wrote was correct. ...

No. Not at all.
Did you not read the post and especially the Scripture !?

 

[Yarddog]

No. Not at all.
Did you not read the post and especially the Scripture !?

None of what you provided covered what I was referring to.

 

[Blade]

.. I don't understand how some questions can be asked. Lets say theres this BOOK/BOOKS that only a GOD can write in. Lets say the hear of man/woman no one can know but a GOD. Hmm I like this 'To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."

Judge? Condemn? (forgive me Father)Hell? Jesus " I came not to judge the world, but to save the world." John 3:17.."For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." Now.. Jesus goes.. Holy Spirit comes who "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"

Now.. all of this did not happen over 2 thousands years ago but a tad over 2 days. So.. nothing has changed. The reason Jesus came.. and what He said then. 100% applies to today. What we need to learn is.. what SO and SO does.. your NOT their God. You are not here to control them. You have no power what so ever over anyone but our enemy.. the fallen one and his angels.

Think.. Jesus died rose PRAISE GOD GLORY TO JESUS.. then walked this earth for 40 days. So .. that would mean ANYONE on this planet that rejected Jesus..did not believe are lost forever right? Yet.. did He once hit the streets preaching.. warning crying out to them? No.. yet He was here 40 more days AFTER He rose. Did He not care at all? There is SO much more to this then what we see. YOU and I have no say on who lives forever and who does not. All you see is flesh and that is ALL you judge and condemn on. Which you were NOT told to do.

Fact.. there are things we say.. JESUS never did and HE was the one that all things made were made by Him. To talk about a place and use it in ANY WAY to have someone make a choice.. is NOT FROM GOD! The choice HAS TO BE a free one. Yet you can say ANYTHING that GOD did not would not ever say. And He will do and say? Nothing. He already did. When you judge.. when you condemn. You open a door that the enemy NOW looks at your life your words. And God is now forced to judge you by your own words. For you as your right judged someone else. By your own words you will be not maybe.. judged. SO many things happen to us.. because we dont LOVE 1st.. see the GOOD 1st.. some of you need proof?

The POPE? Prosperity preachers? Your 1st thought is what is in your heart. So.. have faith that a GOD that sees the heart.. will fix all. Try NOT to get in His way

 

[Another Lazarus]

Obviously if our brother is sinning we should be allowed to point it out. Or is that God's job as well?

Giving a kind advice is not the same with condemning, if we condemn the sinners we forget that God wants us to pray for them to repent.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

In Luke 6:37 Jesus tells us not to condemn others and not to judge others. Does this mean that condemning others to hell is God's job? And warning people that they're going to hell is a bad thing? How are we to spread the gospel if we can't warn other people about hell? Is Jesus saying we can't tell people "I sentence you to hell for sinning against God and for denying Jesus." that obviously is God's job. But there has to be more to it than that. Just what did Jesus mean when he said we can't judge and condemn others? Obviously if our brother is sinning we should be allowed to point it out. Or is that God's job as well?

When Jesus says do not judge, he is talking about hypocritical judgment. So this does not mean we cannot judge other believers or correct them according to God's Word. When Jesus says do not condemn, he is saying that we are not say to a person that they are forever damned with no hope of salvation. I would also take this to mean that we are not to make a written list of people who are not saved, as well. In other words, attack the sin or false belief and not the sinner.

Note: Granted, if a person spoke bad words against the Holy Spirit, then obviously this does not apply. We can say the truth to a person if they have openly committed this sin.

 

[Emmy]

Dear mmbattlestar. In Matthew 22; 35-40: Jesus tells us: The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy hearts, with all thy souls, and with all thy minds. The second is like it, love thy neighbour as thyself." In verse 40 we are told: on these two Commandments hangg all the Law and the Ptophets. What did Jesus mean when He said Treat your neighbour as yourself? It is straightforward, do to others as you would want the to do to you. Always be kind and loving, and helpful and friendly Jesus gave us two Commandments, LOVE GOD with heart, soul, and mind, and love others (your neighbour ) as you love yourself. Be kind and loving ALWAYS. Jesus died for us and now Jesus lives for us. The Bible tells us: Give up all selfish and unloving words nd deeds, and start loving and caring. Ask God for Love and Compassion, then thank God and share all love and compassion with thy neighbour. That is what God wants from us. I say this with love, and send greetings. From Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[Devin P]

In Luke 6:37 Jesus tells us not to condemn others and not to judge others. Does this mean that condemning others to hell is God's job? And warning people that they're going to hell is a bad thing? How are we to spread the gospel if we can't warn other people about hell? Is Jesus saying we can't tell people "I sentence you to hell for sinning against God and for denying Jesus." that obviously is God's job. But there has to be more to it than that. Just what did Jesus mean when he said we can't judge and condemn others? Obviously if our brother is sinning we should be allowed to point it out. Or is that God's job as well?

You can judge, but judge righteously. Condemnation is God's job.

You can warn someone of hell, but don't warn them that they're going there, because that wording implies condemnation.

 

[Buzz_B]

In Luke 6:37 Jesus tells us not to condemn others and not to judge others. Does this mean that condemning others to hell is God's job? And warning people that they're going to hell is a bad thing? How are we to spread the gospel if we can't warn other people about hell? Is Jesus saying we can't tell people "I sentence you to hell for sinning against God and for denying Jesus." that obviously is God's job. But there has to be more to it than that. Just what did Jesus mean when he said we can't judge and condemn others? Obviously if our brother is sinning we should be allowed to point it out. Or is that God's job as well?

Yes, if our brother has mixed up thinking of any kind we are not wrong to notice it and love him enough to try to help him. We would violate the law of love if we took Jesus' words at Matthew 7:1-5 the wrong way. Verse 5 clearly says why it is important to be slow about judging and ascertain what is real and not real as to what we think we see:
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

What Jesus is speaking of is similar to James counsel about being slow to wrath, at James 1:19-20 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."

The Proverbs speak much about that also.

We see that the major cause of our problems is in man's quickness to make judgments while being so right in his own eyes that he cannot see that he has judged wrong: Proverbs 12:15 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."

Because of man's being right in his own eyes God cannot get through to them to even help them correct their errant beliefs. That is why God must chastise even the meek ones of the earth before they can learn anything. Its either that or let them proceed their own way: Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Hasty judgment is tied up with why men apposed Jesus and all of the Apostles eventually putting them to death. And men continue to do that to any who God sends to them. When a country's laws prevent them from actually putting God's messengers to death, they yet find passive ways of doing so. They figuratively behead those they have hastily judged so that they don't have to hear them. They justify it by imagining they are performing God a service when in fact they are imitating Herodias', Herod's brother Philip's wife, whom Herod was fornicating with. Herodias' couldn't bear to listen to John and so manipulated Herod through her daughter to have John silenced by beheading. And today that silencing is done in many ways by many who claim to be Christian. If we would take this subject you have brought up to heart much of that would stop. Of course there will be wolves in sheep's clothing who will yet do that themselves and push for others to accompany them in the same, but the meeker ones would cease being so gullible to those wolves and things would be better than they are. Nothing will end it all except for the return of Christ and the bringing of God's wrath upon such wolves along with the evil trouble-makers of this world.

 

[Viren]

When you judge and condemn others you experience judgement and condemnation within your self. When you love and are merciful to others that's what you experience within yourself. You can tell people about Jesus and the Kingdom of God without judgement or condemnation. Instead of warning them about the outcome of a sickness why not just share with them the antidote. Love.

 

[Monk Brendan]

In Luke 6:37 Jesus tells us not to condemn others and not to judge others. Does this mean that condemning others to hell is God's job? And warning people that they're going to hell is a bad thing? How are we to spread the gospel if we can't warn other people about hell? Is Jesus saying we can't tell people "I sentence you to hell for sinning against God and for denying Jesus." that obviously is God's job. But there has to be more to it than that. Just what did Jesus mean when he said we can't judge and condemn others? Obviously if our brother is sinning we should be allowed to point it out. Or is that God's job as well?

It's very simple--but it takes a lot of time. Instead of scaring the "HELL" out of them, love them into heaven. Make a friend-=-no matter what he is doing, how he is sinning, etc. Once you have a friend, just BE a friend, and then, lead that friend to Christ.

 

[hedrick]

I'd like to argue that Jesus actually meant what he said in Mat 7.

In context he's pretty clearly talking about judging people. In a number of places we're told that we need to judge claims that something is true. I'd say also that we can judge whether a certain type of action is ethical. But I'd argue for a literal reading with regard to condemnation of people.

Let me quote from the Hermeneia commentary:

"How extensive is this prohibition then? Wisdom admonitions such as this one are aimed first of all at the individual’s actions. They are not thinking of institutions such as law courts. Still, it is noteworthy that Jesus’ prohibition is stated as a principle; it is not focused on a particular, concrete situation. In the Sayings Source this statement immediately followed the section on loving enemies, which was meant as a universal principle, and it is to be understood on the basis of that text. With Jesus we find not only a completely nonjudgmental fellowship that included outcasts such as sinners and tax collectors but also a remarkable indifference to God’s law as it was known in Israel, an indifference one sees in the story of the adulteress (John 7:53–8:11*) or indirectly in Jesus’ almost total lack of interest in the halakah. Everything supports the idea that Jesus speaks here of something very basic that, like the love of one’s enemy and non-violence, may well be associated with the coming of the kingdom of God. Although the admonition is directed primarily to the individual, Jesus “does not make a distinction between private judgment and the activity of a judge.” The kingdom of God is coming; that means that people are no longer to condemn people. However, no thought is given to the consequences this principle might have for the secular legal order."

I'm not aware of any place that Jesus tells us to judge people. Mat 18 is about conflict resolution. The issue is someone who has done something to another person.

 

[FireDragon76]

Nothing new about the plan of salvation not being accepted because it has requirements, requirements that used to be obvious to Christian and even non Christian, the very reason some stayed non Christian...too costly. At least until Satan's new way started confusing the issue/started lying to people, and selling his illusion about the requirements so they could now play Christian using traditions of men that, in affect, now make sin acceptable... something that is more acceptable to them than Gods way was..

I'd be careful tossing around the name "Satan" when making veiled criticisms of other peoples churches.

We don't justify sin, we declared sinners justified, there is a difference. Maybe you don't like that. Take it up with Jesus.

God's plan of salvation was finished in Jesus Christ. This is the Gospel. It's not about what we do, but what Jesus Christ did for us.

 

[Greek2Me]

A great evangelist years ago preached "fire and brimstone", yet many revered him and crowded in to hear him speak. Someone asked, "Why is he so popular, even thought he preaches about hell and that many of his listeners will end up there?" Someone else wisely replied, "Because when he says it, he sounds like he's actually SAD that this is the case!"

We can be saying the right thing, but saying it the wrong way, and it makes all the difference. Just sayin...