Is it always wrong to judge others?

We’ve all heard people echo the command, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matthew 7:1, 2). This is not a universal prohibition against ever using practical judgment with other people. Jesus also said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

God is not saying that we aren’t to use judgment to distinguish between right and wrong. Neither is He suggesting we shouldn’t hold each other accountable, or that we can’t help guide another person. The Bible says we should “be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24, 25).

It’s appropriate to condemn a wrong act, but we have no right to condemn a person. And we should always be ready to forgive the one who commits a wrong act, just as our Father in heaven is ready to forgive the offender. Being merciful doesn’t in any way condone the wrong that has been done. Just as God does, we should hate the sin, but love the sinner.

When He says, “Judge not,” God is telling us we’re not to pass sentence on anyone. We should be careful in that regard because when we judge and denounce other people, we’re going to be judged by those standards as well. Paul wrote, “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things” (Romans 2:1). Frequently, people who criticize and condemn others are hypocrites and are themselves guilty of the same kind of sin.

Key Bible Texts

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:2-3 KJV)