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“Don't Judge!”
Categories: Christian life, judgment, legalismHave you ever…
…called someone an “idiot” (or worse) for cutting in front of you in traffic?
…thought (in your head) that your spouse was ignorant, weak, or insane because they refused to see a matter your way?
…clucked your tongue at a frazzled mom who couldn’t control her kids in the department store?
…grimaced to yourself because a sister showed up to church with holes in her jeans?
Yes? Me, too. And this verse is for us today:
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6.37–38
Jesus spoke symmetrically and poetically to bring us this wonderful truth. Two do nots (judge not and condemn not) followed by two dos (forgive and give) strike quite the contrast.
Make sure you give more than expected. How will you fill the cup with flour? Press it down. Shake it. Let it spill over. Give more than you owe, more than they expect, more than you must.
But wait—Jesus said the extravagant measure will be put in your lap. You will you get that overflowing gift, when you use that measure for others. Likewise, if you skimp with others, don’t be surprised when you get back the same.
Jesus had just finished teaching the crowds to love their enemies (Luke 6.27) by blessing them and doing good to them. He told them to lend them money, expecting nothing in return (Luke 6.35), and to be merciful to them (Luke 6.36).
This is the context in which He taught, “Judge not, and you will not be judged.”
Jesus does not mean it is wrong to apply God’s law and judge a matter to be right or wrong. In John 7.24, Jesus also instructed to “judge with righteous judgement.” Interestingly, He told that to Jews who were condemning their brothers (including Jesus!) in their hearts. We should learn to judge righteously, but that’s not the same kind of judgment He condemns in Luke 6.
Jesus is telling us not to condemn a brother in our hearts. On the one hand, you love your brother when you tell him he is living in sin and needs to repent. On the other hand, you hate your brother when you despise him in your heart. The opposite of judging and condemning is forgiving and giving. And remember, we should give even to our enemies, not expecting anything in return. How then should we give to our brothers?
The underlying golden rule instructs us to ask, “How would I like to be treated?” and then treat my brother that way. Would I want my brother to set himself up as my judge? Would I want him to judge me because of my family situation or the color of my skin or the financial troubles I find myself in?
Don’t we tend to judge people based on these things? Perhaps my neighbor is in bad financial straights because he sinned with his money. More likely I just don’t know his story and I would probably be in his position had I gone through what he has.
Steven Covey tells the story of when he was on the subway one day and a man sat near him who was letting his little children run wild on the car. Steven finally had enough and chastised the man for it. The man, in a sort of daze, apologized and told him their mother had just died and he hadn’t figured out how to handle it yet.
Yes, there are plenty of bad actors out there, and we can judge their actions as evil. But when we are simply irritated at someone, we show a pathetic lack of love. Most people would probably say, “Why don’t you get to know my situation before you judge?” Isn’t that what we would want from others?
How would I like you to think about me? Then I’ll try to think of you that way.
How would I like you to treat me? Then I’ll try to treat you that way.
Love you, my brother.
