The Mantra: "Do Not Judge," Is Really Code For: "You Have Permission To Do Anything." - Some thoughts on Matthew 7:1-5

Today the mantra: "do not judge," is really code for: "You have permission to do anything."

As practiced, It is in fact, a foundational stone for antinomianism (lawlessness).

Some thoughts on the Biblical Teaching of "Judging."

If we understood the real hermeneutic behind the biblical use of "judge" or "judging," from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:1-5, most of us would probably not be so eager in our use if it.

Recall that the Sermon on the Mount was given by Jesus, 1. to affirm the Law, 2. as an ideological directive, and praxis for His disciples, 3. as a source of hope and comfort for the masses, 4. as well as a warning and corrective for Judaism's religious leadership in their use of the "Oral Law" or "Tradition of the Elders." (Matt. 15:7-9)

It is vital then to understand that Jesus' comments about "judging," predominately had to do with those Religious Leaders and their draconian use of the 1,500 year old "ORAL TRADITION" (also known 200 years later as the "Mishnah;" and along with the "Gemara"[a commentary of the Mishnah], which was contained within the 6,500 page Talmud).

Thus , the "Tradition of the Elders" or "Oral Law" was often used as the primary source of authority, over and even against, the Mosaic Law; with which to oppressively guide, judge and even condemn the people of Israel... In essence, the Religious Leaders of Jesus' day used the Oral Tradition to bludgeon (Judge) the people of Israel into compliance and submission... Indeed, Jesus had a 3 year running battle with the religious leader, in no small degree, on this very issue... (Mark 7:5-9)

Note also: in light of the contemporary made-made mantra and cultural moratorium on-any-kind-of "JUDGING," what Jesus says IMMEDIATELY following his teaching on Judging...

6"Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." (Matt7:6)

Jesus is clearly saying to the hearer, reader and believer to assess, discern or even "judge" who is the "pig" or "dog" in your life and to not give them something that is worthy...

The text with out a context is a pretext for the proof text... And that is a problem...

The absurdity of the current non-judging moratorium (if consistently applied), would mean that you can't even "judge" me, even if you think that I am "judging."

Matthew 7:1-5 isn't merely about judging, or assessing or even discerning... It's about the primary source of our authority with which we make judgments; as well as the attitude and heart that we have when we have to make them... ***

My point? While the "Do not Judge" passage in the scriptures, may now be more well known than John 3:16, it is perhaps the most misunderstood, abused and misapplied text in scripture. Ostensibly often on behalf of "grace," or uh, should I say "tolerance..." 

In essence, the second source of authority for many today, on never judging, is rooted firmly social progressivist ideology... Their use of this text, as a barrier for assessing any kind of sin, is just as Pharisaical in principle, as any of the religious leaders of Jesus' day.

If personally we want to really know what God requires of us, as well as, obediently conveying what God requires of others (in light of His holiness, and so they might serve others), then it does indeed require the believer to faithfully (in Christ) identify sin, teach about sin, warn others about sin and take responsibility for our sin...

We do this thoughtfully, with the whole Bible as our primary source of authority, it and no other...

***How Do We Assess Sin Without Being Judgmental

• Is there arrogance and pride?
• Is there denial about one’s own sin (log in eye)?
• Is there condemnation others?
• Is the criteria “extra biblical?”
• Is it devoid of love & compassion?

One final caveat:

Please understand that my position on "Sin" and "Judging" DOES NOT stem from any kind of "Fundamentalist" sympathies or predisposition on my part... Anyone who knows me, knows that I am ANYTHING but a fundamentalist... In addition, anyone who has known me most of my life, is aware that I spent significant time in ministry taking taking a position against much of what was "Fundamentalist."

For me, it's all things biblically applied in the tradition of the via media!