Do Not Judge, But Watch Out For False Prophets, Matthew 7 Explanation

Edited 21st Aug 2011 (see section in bold for the edited part)


In Matthew 7 Jesus started by saying "judge not that you be not judged" "for the measure you use, it will be measured unto you". He finishes by saying "watch out for false prophets".  At first glance (without studying it properly or comparing scriptures in context) it may seem like a contradiction in terms.

I mean, how can you watch out for false prophets without judging them?

Actually, there are many words we use (in English) which give a similar meaning to judge, but judge (in its severest sense) is much more than assessing another person. it is what the Crown Court might do. We use many words similar to judge: assess, examine, test, have opinion against, analyse, weigh up etc. In fact, we are told by John to "test the spirits  to see whether they are from God" and goes on to say "for many false prophets have gone out into the World" 1 John 4:1.   Is this not a form of judging?  We see the NT church exercising discipline  regarding wrong practice in the church. How can this be done without a form of judging take place?

So we need to consider the context of what Jesus was actually saying when He said "judge not that you be not judged"

We need to
keep a sound balance regarding Matthew 7.  Incidentally, does anyone know the Greek word used in the original manuscripts for "judge" in Matthew 7:1-2 and what it means?

In any case, if we compare Matthew chapter 7 with chapter 6 and compare with Luke 11, I think we can get to the bottom of that word judge. If we also consider who Jesus was talking to and the time in which He was teaching.

He had not yet died for our sins and had not yet fulfilled the Law. He was often referring to the pharisees and the Mosaic Law in His sermons. He spoke woes to the scribes and pharisees who were preventing people entering the kingdom of God through their heavy burdens. Maybe Jesus was referring to the pharisees as the hypocrites who were judging and removing specks. Jesus (basically) is saying that they should get right with God first and then their judgement of individuals would come from a better heart.

Matthew 6 and Luke 11 both contain the Lord's prayer which states "forgive others as you would want the Lord to forgive you". Judging should come from a heart which has been forgiven by God , cleansed and humbled. It is out of a forgiving heart that we exercise compassion (not judgement) of others.

So the specks that we all contain are to do with faults and imperfections in our lives. As only God knows the heart, we are not permitted to pass judgement on the condition of their heart.

Jesus said (in another place) that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. So with this in mind, Jesus goes on to talk about False prophets who are known by WHAT THEY SAY, not what they do. We are not to judger actions but we ARE to test what they say. If they teach heresies we are allowed to expose it.  I believe this is the distinction we should use.

We are NOT to strain at a gnat and then swallow a camel. The gnat are the finer points of the law but false teaching could be considered as a much larger issue (camel) that needs to be rejected.

We are not to judge the conditions of people's hearts and their actions because we do not know what is going on in their lives, minds or the reasons behind their actions. Only God klnows the intentions of the heart.

However, the scriptures are CLEAR that those who reject Jesus as the Way the Truth and the Life ARE going to hell. It is NOT wrong for us to make that judgement. We should not judge over grey areas, but we are to warn (another way we judge) people over the consequences of rejecting Jesus or following wrong paths.

We have been told to watch out for false prophets. To watch out for is a form of exercising judgement too.

I believe Jesus is referring to what a judge does in a law court, by passing a sentence on the actions of people. We are told that we should not pass out sentences, because only the Lord has that power. We cannot know (with certainty) if a CHRISTIAN is born again or not, so should not judge them to be unsaved.

However, if a person has not believed in Jesus as the only way into Heaven, it is clear (from the Bible) that they are condemned until they receive him.

John 3:18
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son

So it is not right to say that we cannot judge those of other religions who do not believe that Jesus is the ONLY way. The Bible states they are already condemned!

Of course, any individual may repent, turn to Jesus and believe in Him later on in life. If they do, they will obtain eternal salvation and will go to Heaven. So, although they (at present) stand condemned by following a false way, they may not follow it all their life. Only God knows who will repent and who will not.

Therefore, we cannot say that a person is definitely going to hell (judging them) because God may convert their soul before they die. But .... we can say that they will go to hell IF they don't repent and turn to Jesus.



Edited 21st Aug 2011 (edited part in bold)


Also we should not judge another Christian regarding their personal walk with God, because only God knows if they are serving Him or serving themselves. Only God knows their hearts. We cannot always judge what a person's motives are. 1 Cor 4:4-5 says:


"My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts"

However, if we see them caught up in a specific sin, we ARE told that a spiritual brother should seek to restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. How can they do this unless they judge. I believe the key is our attitude. If we are condescending, destructively critical, or "holier than thou" then THIS is being judgemental and is unhelpful. But if we can come alongside such a brother with a spirit of compassion, then exercising judgement in trying to be helpful is surely okay.

But when it comes to FALSE PROPHETS or FALSE BROTHERS we are allowed to expose their false teachings and their deceptions for the sake of saving, loving our brethren from the lies and deception.