“I must say that this site is truly pathetic; yet that is exactly what I would expect from Christian fanatics. A web site with page after page of passing judgements on others…does the word hypocrites mean anything to you? Or a quote from that famous literary character jesus, “judge not, or lest ye shall be judged.” No wonder that religious faith relies on two things: hope and ignorance. I do own a bible…I take it camping with me in case I [inappropriate comment removed]. –Jay”
Good Fight’s Response:
The following response is taken from our article Hey Good Fight, Who Are You to Judge?
Now let’s address Matthew 7:1, the scripture that records Jesus specifically saying “Do not judge”. Matthew 7:1 is probably the one scripture that is most often misquoted, truncated and taken out of context in an attempt to tell Christians to stop “judging”.
To grasp the true context, let’s take a closer look at Matthew 7:1-5:
1 Do not judge so that you will not be judged.
2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?
5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”
If you have never read past verse 1, then perhaps you are seeing the true meaning of this verse for the first time. Notice that Jesus did NOT ever say, “don’t judge – period.” He exhorts us to judge with “righteous judgment” in John 7:24, and here in Matthew 7:1-5 He says first be sure you’re right with God before pointing out someone else’s sin, thus granting one the right to judge if this qualification is met.
The correct understanding of Matthew 7:1 is that simple! Verse 5 clarifies and exposes the skeptic’s erroneous understanding of “Do not judge” by giving the green light, if you will, to judge so long as it is not done in a hypocritical manner.
Steve Aguilar
–Jude 3
