“DON’T JUDGE ME!”We’ve all heard this and probably used this phrase many times. It is not only based on Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:1-6), it is also a natural reaction when we receive criticism from others.
So what’s wrong with criticism? I discovered four reasons criticism (judging) should be discouraged.
- We never know all the facts.
- We are unable to read another’s motive.
- We are prejudiced people, never completely objective.
- We put ourselves in a position we are not qualified to fill, namely, we play God.
Even Jesus had talked about judging others. Here’s what He said:
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (Matthew 7:1-6)
Jesus gave two reason why we shouldn’t criticize (judge) others.
- The attitude we demonstrate will be the one that returns to us (Luke 6:36-38). Criticism is like a boomerang. It finds its way back to us. Those who judge will be judged by the same standards used to judge others.
- Judging is hypocritical.Judging tends to magnify our virtues and others’ vice. We even sometimes find our own faults in others, and then judge them anyway.
We are especially guilty when we do not practice what we ourselves teach and preach (James 3:1). We see our criticism as an act of righteousness, not what it really is (James 1:23-24). Jesus teaches that the sin of pride in the critic is much greater than the sin in the person he is criticizing. This is the only time disciples are called hypocrites in the Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus teaches a healthy balance between judging and discernment.
Some have used this Bible passage to defend unbiblical behavior. It’s as if we are not to discern a person’s wrong behavior. If this is true, Jesus didn’t listen to His own sermon because He criticized others (example – Matthew 23).
Taken to an extreme not judging would mean we don’t help others with personal struggles or moral failures. It is true we are not to judge others in condemnation. But we are not to ignore their faults. We still have a responsibility to our ‘brother’ (Matt. 18:15).
This same paragraph in the Sermon on the Mount that commands us “Judge not”, also tells us to “remove the speck out of our brother’s eye.” Our Christian duty is to take out the log in our own eye so we can see to take out the speck out of another’s. Jesus is not condemning criticism, but criticism without self-criticism. If we confess our sin, we will see everything clearly. Never put your finger on someone else’s faults unless it’s part of a helping hand.
Some are habitually critical of others. I’ve known people that cannot give a compliment, but are able, willing and enthusiastic to criticize anything they don’t agree with in another. If this is you, please curb this habit.
How can I stop the habit of criticism?
- Examine yourself before being tempted to inspect others.
- Confess your faults before confronting another.
- Try to understand the other person’s struggle. We must be tender and gentle.
- Remember, the goal is restoration, not probation. We are dealing with family members.
You can also read some of my other articles about criticism: 3 Ways To Handle Criticism, How to Treat Mean People, How to Resolve Conflicts.
You can read my other Sermon on the Mount articles: Life Redefined: Sermons from The Sermon on the Mount.