Imagine how great life would be if we all practiced what Jesus preached: “Do not judge” (Matthew 7:1)? Imagine if our world was a judgment-free zone. Imagine if all the students, teachers, and parents at your school supported and encouraged each other instead of criticizing and complaining about each other. Imagine if everyone in your church and community focused on their own behavior instead of pointing fingers at everyone else’s behavior. Imagine what it would sound like to watch the news if everyone was passionate about finding people doing right instead of blaming everyone else for being wrong. Sounds refreshing, doesn’t it?
Before you answer, let me give you some examples. Imagine if everyone at school supported and encouraged abusive parents instead of criticizing them. Imagine if everyone at church focused on themselves instead of pointing fingers at the church member stealing money from the offering. Imagine if every American was about finding people doing right instead of accusing people who are lying. Do not judge? Hmm. I guess we need to think more about this whole judging thing.
This is why Jesus had a nuanced teaching on judgment. There are times, as previously quoted, when Jesus doesn’t want us to judge other people, even if they are doing wrong. But his overall teaching on the matter is best summarized when he said, “Judge correctly” (John 7:24). In the days to come, we will learn to do just that. Your world can’t function without judgment, so let’s learn how to judge Jesus’ way.
