The Truth About "Judge Not"
Let's talk about one of the most misused, misquoted, and misunderstood verses in the entire Bible: "Judge not, that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1 NKJV).
We hear this phrase tossed around like a spiritual shield against any accountability. People wield it to justify all manner of choices, from divorcing their spouse to embracing lifestyles that the Word of God clearly calls sin.
Here's the truth: Jesus never taught us to abandon discernment. Let's look at the context. Matthew 7 falls within the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus had already addressed discipleship, relationships, giving, prayer, fasting, and worry. After this passage, He goes on to teach about prayer, true and false prophets, and the foundations of a godly life. In other words, this isn't an isolated command.
Judgment itself isn't evil. Judgment means declaring something as good, bad, or indifferent. If we never judged anything, we wouldn't be able to call murder wrong or love right. We wouldn't need forgiveness or repentance, because nothing would be considered sin.
Dealing with Hypocrisy
Think about it: every day you make countless judgments—who to trust, what to believe, what's safe or unsafe. Yet our culture loves to say, "Don't judge me," while demanding you affirm everything they do as good. The problem isn't judgment; it's hypocritical judgment, condemning others while refusing to confront our own sin. That's what Jesus opposed.
"For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Matthew 7:2 NKJV)
Jesus was exposing the hypocrisy of those who set rules for everyone else but excused their own sin. They judged with arrogance and no intention of restoration. This is why it matters to define words carefully. (Photo via Pexels)
Did you know the New Testament uses six different Greek words translated as "judge"? The following are examples of a few of these words:
• krinó: "to decide," "to determine," "making a moral evaluation" (Strong's G2919)
• katakrinó: "to condemn," "to pass sentence" (Strong's G2632)
• anakrinó: "to examine," "to question" (Strong's G350)
• diakrinó: "to discern," "to separate, make a distinction" (Strong's G1252)
When Jesus says "judge not," He's warning against condemning and assigning punishment. He's not telling us to abandon all discernment or to stop holding each other accountable.
Judging with a Heart for Restoration
Consider John 7:24: "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." Scripture commands us to evaluate sin within the Body of Christ—not to shame or belittle, but to restore.
Matthew 18:15–17 gives us a clear process: 1) Go privately to your brother or sister. 2) If they won't listen, bring two or three witnesses. 3) If they still refuse, tell it to the Church.
This is about redemptive correction, not condemnation unto eternal damnation. The apostle Paul also emphasizes this principle. In 1 Corinthians 5, he rebukes the church for tolerating sin that even unbelievers would condemn. He says, "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?" (v. 12 ESV). (Photo via Unsplash)
Accountability is love in action. Love without truth isn't love—it's enablement. When someone says "judge not," what they often mean is "never confront me." But the most unloving thing you can do is leave a brother or sister in sin. Romans 1 and Galatians 5 remind us of sin's outcome: death. James 1:15 says that when sin is fully grown, it brings forth death. Love compels us to care enough to confront, to call out sin, so that repentance and restoration can follow.
Hear this clearly: Arrogant judgment says, "I'm better than you." Humble judgment says, "Apart from Jesus, I'm no different." Compassionate judgment says, "I love you too much to watch you destroy yourself."
When you approach a brother or sister in sin, ask yourself, "Am I examining my own life first? Am I motivated by love and restoration, not pride? Am I willing to walk with them toward freedom?"
Jesus calls us to righteous judgment, not hypocrisy. He calls us to accountability, not condemnation. He calls us to compassion, not compromise.
Let's be Believers who don't shy away from speaking the truth but who do so with humility and love. Because of love, we stand for truth. Because of love, we hold each other accountable. Because of love, we refuse to misuse Scripture to excuse sin.
As Jesus said, "With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." Let's use the measure of grace, truth, and redemptive love. Stay faithful, stay discerning, and above all, stay anchored in Christ.
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Ryan Johnson
Ryan Johnson Ministries
Email:Â info@ryanjohnson.us
Website:Â www.ryanjohnson.usÂ
Ryan Johnson is dedicated in helping equip the Body of Christ to awaken the nations with a prophetic call of a rising Ekklesia. He is a son of God, husband, and father of four. Ryan has devoted his life to the righteousness of Christ, with the demonstration of the Father's heart in regions, individuals, and the Church across the world. Ryan is the author of Illegitimacy: The Battle Over Your Identity, How to Contend for Your Miracle, and Racism: The Church and The Nation. He has had many articles released through Charisma Magazine, Charisma News, The Elijah List, and Spirit Fuel. He has also appeared as a guest on The Shaun Tabatt Show, Elijah Streams, Engaging the Supernatural, and Sid Roth's It's Supernatural. Ryan is the host of The Blacksmith Chronicles Podcast, an Instructor at Summit School of Revival, and travels throughout the United States and the Nations as a full-time itinerant minister.
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