“Judge not, lest ye be judged.”
This excerpt, taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, is perhaps the most well-known verse in the entire Bible. In fact, if an unbeliever is able to quote anything from the Scriptures, it’s usually these words. It’s nothing new. People have been using this command as a license to sin for generations. That’s why it’s often quoted in the original King James Version.
A couple weeks ago, as I was scrolling through Facebook, I saw a graphic from a “church” that was hosting and promoting a family-friendly drag show in their building. Dripping with oxymoronic satire, I had to make sure it wasn’t another post from the Babylon Bee. It wasn’t. It was a local “church” right here in New Braunfels, TX. Having lived here for nearly 20 years, I’ve seen the “progress” that this quaint little historic town has made. “Don’t Austin My New Braunfels” is a bumper sticker that always makes me laugh.
But instead of just rolling my eyes and scrolling on, I felt a strange sense of anger begin to well up within me. I spent a few minutes trying to discern if this qualified as “righteous indignation.” This is not the first drag show in New Braunfels, but how in the world could a “church” be hosting such a thing? I’m usually not one for engaging in social media controversy, but I couldn’t keep silent about this hash.
I commented with one word. “Disgusting.” My comment was quickly responded to by (who I can only assume was) the “pastor.” She quoted a bible verse. Guess which one? Yep – Matthew 7:1 – “Judge not, that you be not judged.”
Context, context, context. When you read the Bible, you HAVE to understand the surrounding verses in order to rightly discern the meaning of a particular verse. Was this a blanket sweep statement by Jesus that we are never to judge anyone, anywhere, ever? If so, that would mean our entire judicial system is sinful. Most people would agree (with God) that a certain type of judgment is absolutely necessary, good, and just.
If you read on in Matthew 7, you’ll see that Jesus says, “Do not give dogs what is holy,” “Do not throw your pearls before pigs,” and “Beware of false prophets… you will recognize them by their fruits.” How are we to know who qualifies as dogs, pigs, and false prophets if we don’t utilize some sort of discernment or… judgment?
The subject of Matthew 7:1 is hypocritical, self-righteous judgment. In other words, “don’t point out the speck in someone else’s eye when you have a log sticking out of your own.” Contrary to popular belief, Christ-followers ARE commanded to judge. Jesus says in John 7:24, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Calling out and opposing sin is not wrong. In fact, it’s right. It’s commanded. Ephesians 5:11 says, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” A lot of Christians do a pretty good job of keeping the first part of that command, but not so well with the second part. Wisdom is needed in knowing when to speak up and when to remain silent. But, make no mistake, there ARE times when God-fearing individuals ought to stand up for what’s right and oppose what’s evil.
I’m not too thrilled that my father, Adam, stood by in silence as the serpent coerced his wife to do that which was wicked. And I don’t want to repeat his sinful passivity as a “church” in New Braunfels celebrates sin this weekend. (The point of this blog is not to detail the arguments of why a drag show is sinful. Many others have done a fine job of that.)
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul is made aware of an egregious sexual sin in a local church and he doesn’t mince his words. “Purge the evil person from among you! Deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.” Furthermore, he tells us that we ought to pass judgement. “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?”
Those who claim the name of Christ and yet engage in and celebrate wicked worldly wisdom (such as hosting a “family-friendly drag show”) ought to be judged loudly. Our message should be simple: Repent and turn from your unbiblical, progressive, social “gospel” and place your faith in Jesus Christ. “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel – not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9).
To the non-Christian who might be reading this and thinking that this does not sound very loving: let me try to shift your paradigm real quick. I am a Bible-believing Christ-follower who believes that there will be a greater Judgment to come. I believe hell is real; and I don’t want anyone to go there. The least loving thing I can think to do is to remain silent. This judgment is ultimately for the sake of turning hearts to Christ (1 Corinthians 5:5).
The most loving thing I can do is to declare the Truth. Hell is the just punishment for sin (Matthew 25:41-46). We are all sinners and deserving of hell (Romans 3:23). Jesus, the Son of God, is the perfect, sinless sacrificial substitute that died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:21). If you repent of your sins and trust the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved, forgiven, redeemed, and made new (Mark 1:15, 1 John 1:9).