The Pharisees judged tax collectors and prostitutes, who came repentantly to Jesus, as being unworthy of the kingdom of God. And one of the things that makes God angry – perhaps the thing that makes Him most angry – is “religious” people who neglect the poor and vulnerable. But they also perverted justice and neglected mercy. They prayed, fasted, tithed, and performed purification rituals. They were very big on keeping up appearances. They were very big on religious traditions and ceremonies. They were people who appeared to be keeping the Law but were really twisting the Law to suit their own purposes and to use it as a weapon against others. The Pharisees were people of double standards. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is primarily indicting the hypocrisy of people like the Pharisees Matthew 5:20. Not so fast! Jesus really did say, “Judge not.” So let’s discuss what He meant and how it applies to our lives today. He also said, ‘Judge with righteous judgment.’ So I’m supposed to judge you.” “Well, Jesus said, ‘Judge not.’ You have no right to judge me.”.I’ve seen countless conversations that go like this: On the other hand, many Christians recognize how this passage is misinterpreted and misused, but instead of interpreting and applying it correctly, they simply dismiss it. But is this how Jesus intended for this passage to be used? Did He intend for us to use His words as a shield against rebuke and admonishment? How It Is Often Ignored Rather than actually stopping to consider, “Is my behavior wrong?” people turn the tables on their accusers and accuse them of doing wrong. One person will say to another, “That’s a sin you shouldn’t do that.” The second person will defend himself by saying, “You can’t judge me. ![]() It seems to me, this passage is often used defensively. ![]() But what did He mean by that? Did He mean His followers should never criticize someone else’s behavior? Did He mean we should all just “mind our own business”? How can we call the world to repent if we are not supposed to criticize sinful behavior? And at what point does it become “judging”? As a part of our reexamined series, let’s consider this passage in context. Jesus preached, in the Sermon on the Mount, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1, KJV).
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