Article - Judging
The inspired apostle Peter judges that there are untaught and unstable people who twist the Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:15-16). Such judgment is righteous because it is based on the righteous judgment of God contained in the Scriptures (John 5:30; 12:48; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5). In fact, all Christians are commanded by Jesus to judge with such righteous judgment (John 7:24). “But,” many will ask, “What about Matthew 7:1, ‘Judge not, that you be not judged’”? Scripture-twisters (many of whom claim to be Christians themselves) like to quote Matthew 7:1 and tell faithful Christians that they are wrong for judging. These unstable people need to be taught that they are guilty of judging by making such a judgment (which is an unrighteous judgment). In the same context of Matthew 7:1 Jesus calls these type of people “hypocrites”, “dogs” and “swine” (Matthew 7:2-6). In fact, Jesus commands His disciples not to give what is holy to the dogs/swine; thus, demanding that His disciples make a judgment about who these hypocrites are. Such hypocrites need to be warned that when they reject God’s Word, they have judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life (Acts 13:46). Truth be told, the Scripture-twisters are either untaught because they are merely repeating what they have heard others say (without realizing they are taking Matthew 7:1 out of context), or they are unstable and willing to twist Matthew 7:1 because they do not want anyone correcting them (wishing to continue in their sin/false views). Matthew 7:1-6 condemns hypocritical judgment but authorizes righteous correction (which involves righteous judgment and spiritual living, read Galatians 6:1-2). Be careful when you study this passage because you will have to make a judgment about its true meaning (just be sure it is righteous).
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