Has this ever happened to you? You give a warning to someone about a false teacher that denies one or more foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. Rather than listen the person gets angry. He begins to quote the Bible as he give you a rebuke. You are told that it is wrong to judge because the Bible says ... judge not lest you be judged. The person then snubs his nose and goes on with their life and continues to listen to the false teacher.
Over the years I have heard one verse in the Bible misquoted more than any other verse. That verse can be found in Matthew chapter 7 verse 1: Judge not, that ye be not judged. People use that verse to excuse and defend all kinds of evil. People are literally attacked and called all kinds of nasty names because they dared to warn about something that is wrong and sinful before God.
This is a very sad example to illustrate that fact. I had that verse used recently against me by someone who wished to defend their use and enjoyment of the occult. This person loved Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings and thought I had no right so say the occult was evil and an abomination before the Lord. This person quoted Matt 7:1 to me and then said I was wrongly condemning and judging all kinds of people because of my stand on the occult. Little did this person realize they were misquoting the Bible and showing their sin-loving and blackened God rejecting heart as they attempted to correct me by twisting the Bible. All this person tried to do is to justify their love of the occult. They loved Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. They had no intention on giving up occult evil and repenting before the Lord.
The occult is very evil and there is no excuse for anyone who belongs to the Lord to be involved in it. Simply put, those who enjoy the occult are not saved and do not belong to God. Only a Christ rejecting heart could love the sin filled abominations of the world of the occult. Sadly I have heard Matt 7:1 misquoted to justify all kinds of sin and false teachers. Believe me, the occult is only one of the many ways I have heard Matt 7:1 misquoted to justify sin and false teaching.
In this article we will address the issue about judging. Does Matt 7:1 really mean that a Christian should never judge anything? Are people rightly quoting the Bible when they forbid people to judge? Should Christians accept all kinds of sin and evil because it is wrong to make any judgments about right and wrong? Should false teaching be allowed to go unchallenged because it is wrong to judge? Should Christians support wolves and false teachers and attend liberal doctrine denying churches because they are not supposed to be judgmental. Is judging evil and false teaching also being unloving, narrow-minded, legalistic, or a Pharisee?
These issues are before the truly saved Christian today in these last evil days before the return of the Lord Jesus. It is hoped that this article will encourage and build up God's people so they will fearlessly defend the faith from all attacks from the devil and his children. The devil's crowd loves to use Matt 7:1 out of context as evil is prospering in these last days before the return of the Lord Jesus. Don't be deceived! Stand against and judge evil because Christians are commanded to do so!
WRONGLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH
Lets start by looking at the verse that is constantly being misquoted in its proper context:
Matt 7
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with
what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye,
but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote
out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye;
and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy
brother's eye.
The above verses are addressed to a hypocrite who went around judging people of doing evil when he was doing the same things. Just look at verse 3 and 4. Do not judge another person before judging yourself. A good example would be a bank robber. A person who robs banks for a living should not go around judging other people who robs banks. How about this real-time example. Remember the TV evangelist who judged another TV evangelist for sleeping with another women then paying her hush money. The first evangelist was seeing prostitutes while he was judging the other TV evangelist! Only a hypocrite would judge another person while he is guilty of doing the same thing! This is why the above verses first tell a person to judge themselves. Once that is done, one can judge and help others. In its proper context Matt 7:1 does not say it is wrong to judge. Instead it is saying to first judge yourself!
In order to understand Matt 7:1 the entire context must be read. Most people quote verse 1 and ignore the rest of the verses. There is a name for taking a Bible verse out of context. That word is called twisting the Scriptures. Misquoting Matt 7:1 is perverting the Scriptures. Taking a verse out of its setting and building a doctrine around it is deceptive and not rightly dividing the word of God! When one looks at verses 1 - 5 it can be easily seen that we are to judge things.
Let me repeat myself. Verses 1 through 5 gives a foundation rule for judging. The rule is this: First judge yourself before judging another. There is nothing wrong with judging as long as you have first judged yourself!
People use Matt 7:1 out of context to justify evil and things that God hates. By ripping verse 1 out of context professing Christians (tares) justify the occult, rock music, false religions, and heresies. Wrongly using Matt 7:1 to justify evil is one of the great deceptions of these last days. Don't be tricked by those who misquote that verse!
Below is another example of a hypocrite who judges others while they are guilty of doing the same thing:
Rom 2
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art
that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest
thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth
against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such
things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
These verses go along with the verses quoted in Matt 7:1-5. It is very important for a person to first judge themselves to make sure they are not guilty of the same sins.
Here is another verse where the Lord commands His people to judge themselves:
2 Cor 13
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own
selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in
you, except ye be reprobates?
All the above verses do not forbid judging sin or false teachers. The only admonition given is to judge yourself so you are not a hypocrite.
Next lets move on and look at more detail at what the Bible says about judging.
WE ARE COMMANDED TO JUDGE
God expects and commands His people to judge false teaching and to reject wolves and false teachers. Read the below verses:
1 Cor 6
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law
before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2 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?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things
that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life,
set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man
among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law
one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather
suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
Look closely at the above verses. Verse 1 indicates that issues are to be brought to the saints of God for judgment.
Verse 2 gives a hint of our future lives and position in Christ. God's people will be assisting in judging the world. Because of this fact God expects His people to make judgments within the local assembly of believers.
Verse 3 and 4 goes on and states that one day we will make judgments concerning the angels of God. If this is so then we are more than qualified to make judgments regarding issues in this life! Verse 5 states that the wise will be able to judge between good and evil. Those who cannot or will not judge are not wise.
1 John 4
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out
into the world.
The above verse is a command to God's people. We are commanded not to believe every spirit. This means do not believe every wind of teaching you hear. We are commanded to "try" or test the spirits. This means we are to test all teaching with the Word of God. This will allow God's people to see if the teaching is from God or not. By testing the for a false prophet, judgments must be made between right and wrong doctrine.
A further warning is given that many false prophets and teachers
are in the world. These false prophets will be teaching and
spreading heresies that deny the foundations of the Christian
faith. God's people are commanded to:
1) do not believe all that you hear
2) put all teaching to the test. This means use the Bible to
judge if the teaching is true or not! Use the Bible to judge
between true and false teaching.
Eph 5
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them.
God's people are to prove what is acceptable unto the Lord. This involves making a judgment between right and wrong. We prove the teaching is true or false by using the Bible as our guideline.
Verse 11 says we are to reject and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. This also involves judging between right and wrong. As a result of our judgment we are to have no fellowship with evil.
Finally in verse 11 we are told to reprove evil. This means we are to openly oppose and reject evil works and teachers. Once judgment has been made we are to publicly expose and reject false teaching and false teachers.
Remember this is a command to judge and to reprove false teachers and their teachings. Disobedient people who tolerate evil will refuse to judge it. Instead they will misquote Matt 7:1 and say: "Don't judge". Beware of such people!
Rom 12
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil;
cleave to that which is good.
One must judge evil to abhor it. Judgment must be made to determine evil and to determine good. Once that judgment has been made the above verse commands God's people to abhor the evil. This means to reject and have nothing to do with that which is evil.
1 Thess 5
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Above is another command to judge and reject evil. God's people prove (test) all things with the Holy Bible. As a result of judging between good and evil we are commanded to hold fast to the good while abstaining from evil.
John 7
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
God's people are commanded to make judgments. The above verse commands
the use of righteous judgment. Righteous judgment has the following
characteristics:
1) First the person judges himself so he is not a hypocrite
2) The Bible is used as the foundation of right vs wrong.
JUDGING EVIL EXPOSES SATAN'S SERVANTS AND PROTECTS GOD'S PEOPLE
Judgment is essential for the spiritual health of the Christian or the local assembly. Once evil or false teaching is judged, it is to be rejected and removed.
Rom 16
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions
and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned;
and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but
their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive
the hearts of the simple.
False teachers deny the foundations of the Christian faith. They seek to cause divisions and create offenses. God's people are to identify false teachers and avoid them. By avoiding the false teacher a person is protecting himself. Do not attend a church where the pastor is a false teacher or where false teachers are accepted. By marking (judging) the false teacher, a Christian can then avoid the wolf. This is a command and is given for the protection of God's people.
Verse 18 illustrates how evil and dangerous the false teacher really is. By judging the false teacher, they can be easily marked, avoided, and rejected. Only simple and foolish people refuse to judge and as a result they are easily deceived by wolves and false teachers. In fact, people who refuse to judge evil are simple minded people! Just look at verse 18 above! Wolves are able to deceive the hearts of the simple minded.
1 Cor 5
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any
man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or
an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with
such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do
not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from
among yourselves that wicked person.
If a professing Christian is doing evil he is to be judged from within the Christian church. Part of that judgment is to cast the wicked person from your midst. Christians are commanded to make judgments against evil and evil doers. Verse 12 commands Christians to judge them that are within. This means we are to judge those who profess to be Christians. If they are deceivers then they are to be rejected.
2 Thess 3
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that
man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Here is another command to judge. If a person does evil he is to be disciplined. Judgment is required. If the situation deserves it, God's people are to have no fellowship with that person. The goal is to admonish him so he will turn away from whatever evil he has been involved in. The secondary goal of casting out a wicked person is to protect God's church assembly from corruption by a wicked person.
2 John 1
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess
not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver
and an antichrist.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we
have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of
Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of
Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine,
receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Verse 7 above warns that there are many deceivers in the world. These deceivers deny the Lord Jesus Christ. They deny His deity (Jesus is God manifest in human flesh). They deny the Trinity and other foundational Christian doctrines.
Verse 10 and 11 clearly call for judgment and action taken against a deceiver and a false teacher. They are not to be invited inside the Christian church. In fact, they are to be judged and cast out!
Here are some other points made about judging:
- those who refuse to judge are encouraging evil
- those who refuse to judge are assisting the evil doer.
- Those who attend and support liberal churches are supporting
and encouraging evil.
- Every penny given to a deceiver, a liberal church, or the ministry
of a wolf and false teacher is to encourage and prosper evil. It is
being a partaker with Satan in the attack against God. Christians
really need to make sound Biblical judgments so they can reject
wolves and their ministries. Do not support them in any way!
Rev 2
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how
thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried
them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast
found them liars:
When God's people judge evil doers they soon find they do not want them in their midst. Judging evil results in evil being removed. When a person and his doctrine is judged by the Word of God, they can be easily found to be liars and self-centered deceivers! Those people are to be rejected.
1 Cor 10
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
Idolatry is a very evil sin before the Lord. By using righteous judgment, God's people are able to discern the evil and to flee from it.
Verse 15 indicates that the wise will use judgments. Wise men do not blindly accept every wind of teaching. A wise person compares teaching with the Word of God and then rejects the evil and accepts the good. Wise servants of God judge all teachings and teachers by the Word of God. Foolish people and deceivers quote Matt 7:1 out of context and they justify evil.
2 Tim 3
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than
lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away.
In the last days there will be terrible conditions on the earth. Guess what? We are in those last days right now! Judgment concerning evil is needed so Christians can turn away and reject evil. Without judging good from evil a Christian cannot discern and turn away from a deceiver. Remember, the simple minded refuse to judge and are easily deceived!
Matt 7
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of
thorns, or figs of thistles?
This is another warning about the numbers of false prophets in the world. There will be many of them and they will be like a wolf dressed up like a sheep. This means they will look like a Christian. They will sound like a Christian and they will want you to believe they are Christian. However, they are false teaching liars and wolves. These men are phonies who are just servants of Satan. Judgment is required to spot and reject these wolves.
The above verses tell God's people to look at the fruit produced in their lives. But if a person refuses to judge...
- How can a person beware of a false prophet if he refuses to judge?
- How can one know good fruit from bad fruit if they refuse to judge?
Let me repeat myself. False Christian tares and the simple minded refuse to judge!
2 Thess 3
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that
walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he
received of us.
This is another command to judge and to withdraw oneself from a false brother who professes to be a Christian. Judgment is required to spot such an individual. But, how can a person withdraw from a someone who walks disorderly if one refuses to judge?
Eph 5
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these
things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
The goal of a wolf and a deceiver is to lead people astray. They are very successful in their tactics against simple minded people who refuse to judge evil. Notice that the wolf will use vain words. This means they will be a wolf in sheep's clothing. They will look very good and sound very Christian. However, their false teaching can be easily spotted by those willing to judge evil using the Word of God as the foundation! On the other hand, a person who refuses to judge can easily be deceived.
WE ARE EXPECTED BY GOD TO JUDGE
We can already see the trend of judgment from the many verses previously discussed. But it is very important to bring forth this point. God expects His people to judge evil. God expects His people to judge between good and evil. After, God expects His people to reject the evil and to accept the good!
Psalms 37
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh
of judgment.
A wise Christian is one who makes righteous judgments. Judging between good and evil is a very big part in a Christian's life.
2 Cor 6
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath
he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye
are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell
in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall
be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith
the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
In order to obey the above verses it is assumed that God's people will judge and reject evil. In order to reject and come away from the evil thing, Godly judgment must first be used. Once something has been determined to be evil it is then easy to "come out" from it. Verse 17 above is a command to God's people. In order to obey the command it is assumed that God's people will exercise righteous judgment to determine what is good and what is evil.
Amos 5
14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD,
the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.
15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in
the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious
unto the remnant of Joseph.
The foundation of a long and happy life that pleases the Lord is to discern between good and evil and then to cling to the good. Being skilled in judgment is required to protect yourself and your loved ones from the many snares of the devil.
EXAMPLES OF JUDGMENT
There are many examples in the Bible of Christians who judged righteous judgment. Below are a few examples.
Acts 8
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because
thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart
is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if
perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and
in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me,
that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
In the above verses Peter judged a greedy and an evil man. He was confronted and challenged concerning his evil. Above Peter directly confronted this wicked man who loved money and power much more than he loved God. When Peter confronted this man he was obeying God. Today in this liberal world people would be quoting Matt 7:1 out of context and calling Peter narrow-minded, judgmental, unloving, and a Pharisee.
Here is another example where a man married his stepmother. At first the Church refused to judge this man. Paul however judged him for his great sin.
1 Cor 5
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and
such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles,
that one should have his father's wife.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that
hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have
judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath
so done this deed,
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together,
and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh,
that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven
leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as
ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
The above sexually immoral man was judged for his sin. Paul rebuked the Christians of that church for not taking action and judging this wicked man. Paul stressed that it was very important to judge the wicked and to cast them out from their midst. The wicked man was to be cast out of the church assembly because of his sin. This was for protection of God's people. We cannot embrace and tolerate evil lest we get infected by it. Paul discerned between good and evil and then he took action.
Acts 17
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night
unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which
were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Notice what the Bereans did after hearing the Apostle Paul teach. Did they blindly receive everything he said? No, verse 11 states that they searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. What they did was to listen to Paul and then go the the Bible to check him out. They checked what God had already revealed with what the Apostle Paul was saying. Did Paul get angry because they didn't take everything he said blindly? Today the men who have blind followers get very angry when their teachings are compared with the Scriptures. However Paul didn't get angry.... have a look at verse 11. Scripture says that they were considered 'more noble' than those in Thessalonica because they took the time to 'check out Paul' with the Word of God. It is a good, noble, and Christ honoring thing do to by checking out teachings by the Scriptures! It also is good protection from deception. Isn't that different from the reaction of the wolves. If anyone puts them or their teaching to the test today, the wolves get very angry! They scream out Matt 7:1 (don't judge) or they scream out not to touch the Lord's anointed. (really they are Satan's anointed). Paul on the other hand welcomed people to check out his teaching with the Word of God. Paul did not get angry because he was a faithful servant of God and had nothing to fear when a person checked him out with the Word of God. Beware today of wolves! They get very angry when their false teachings are judged by the Word of God!
The bottom line is this: don't accept teaching if it doesn't line up with Scripture. The Word of God is the standard and the final authority. If some slick talking false teacher starts spewing out various doctrines that don't line up with God's Word, then reject the deceiver and his teaching! Don't tolerate false teachers - reject them and their soul damning teachings. Do not listen to the deceivers and simple minded who misquote Matt 7:1 and say: Don't judge.
Are people doing that today? Who is turning to the Word of God to see if what is being taught by various 'super teachers' agrees with Scriptures? Are people putting teaching to the test OR are they just blindly soaking every wind of doctrine into their brains like a dry sponge looking for water? Unfortunately the latter seems to be true. There are many simple minded people who think it is wrong to judge between good and evil. Such people are wide open to Satanic deception. Sadly in these last days, deception abounds just like the Lord Jesus warned. Who is listening to the warnings? Who is a Berean that checks out doctrines and teachings with what God has already revealed in God's Word, The Bible? I would hope that many reading this tract are wise and use righteous judgment!
MATURE CHRISTIANS ARE ABLE TO JUDGE
Baby Christians who have been recently saved need to get a solid grounding in the Word of God. This is done by daily Bible reading and attending a Church assembly that teaches and upholds solid Biblical doctrine. Christians who have matured in Christ are able to use the Bible to discern between right and wrong as verse 15 describes below.
1 Cor 2
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit
of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know
them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself
is judged of no man.
Lost people cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned or spiritually dead. Their main need is to repent of their sins and to accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. However, Christians are more than able to make Godly judgments between things that are good and things that are evil. Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit and have the Word of God and are able to make Godly judgments.
Malachi 3
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and
the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth
him not.
Above is a Old Testament verse that describes that God's people will be judging. One form of judgment is to know who is serving God and who is not serving God. The wolf and false prophet are greedy, money hungry, power seeking individuals that are serving themselves and Satan. These people are to be exposed and rejected by God's people. Evil is to be rejected and not accepted in the name of peace and love.
Heb 5
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil.
Mature Christians are able to discern(judge) between good and evil. The above verses show how they are able to do this. The foundation of Godly judgment is the Word of God. The mature Christian knows God's Word and loves the Lord. As a result he is able to apply Godly principles and teachings to discern between good and evil. It is expected of God's people to judge and reject evil!
1 Cor 2
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom
teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual
things with spiritual.
Godly judgment does not use man's wisdom to discern between good and evil. That would be pointless as lost men have embraced beliefs of atheism and godlessness. By using the Word of God it is possible to compare spiritual things with spiritual and make sound Biblical judgments.
CONCLUSION
I would hope that after reading all the verses presented that the question of judging should be forever settled. You should be able to spot a tare of a simple minded person misquoting Matt 7:1 as they seek to accept evil things. Godly judgment is required in these last days. Deception is one major characteristics of the last days in which we are now living. God warned several times in His Word to beware of false teachers and Satan's servants that try to come across as angels of light. By using Godly Biblical judgment, these servants of Satan can be spotted, exposed, and rejected.
Sadly there are many today who refuse to judge. They misquote the following verse as a way to avoid confronting evil.
Matt 7
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Many people seek to excuse evil and heresy by misquoting the Bible using Matt 7:1 by itself. Understand that such a person does not know what they are talking about. They are taking one verse out of context and ignoring the verses following Matt 7:1. In this article we covered the bigger picture. When Matt 7:1 is read in the proper context of Matt 7:1-5 a different conclusion is made. God expects His people to judge but it is very important to judge oneself first.
Sadly today many excuse evil by refusing to judge it. These people have become servants of Satan as they assist him spread his lies unhindered. Evil should be rejected and avoided. Instead many misquote Matt 7:1 and then continue in their acceptance of evil. This type of godless attitude no surprise to God. He has warned His people that in the last day many will give heed to the teachings of demons. Read the following:
1 Tim 4
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared
with a hot iron;
In verse one the Holy spirit speaks expressly. This means He is trying to get your attention to illustrate a point. We are now in the last days or the latter times. In these last days there will be some people who will depart from Biblical truth and accept the doctrines of devils. Do not be surprised when it happens. When people excuse evil and misquote Matt 7:1 they are part of the fulfillment of the above verses. Such people who refuse to judge evil have embraced doctrines of devils.
2 Tim 4
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and
his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall
be turned unto fables.
This tract closes with the above verses. God's people are commanded to learn God's Word. As a result they are to preach, teach, rebuke error, and exhort with sound Biblical doctrine. God's people are commanded to judge sin and evil.
In light of these truths there will be many people who will refuse to endure sound Biblical doctrine. People who misquote Matt 7:1 and who refuse to judge evil have fallen away. These people cannot endure sound Biblical doctrine as they have no heart for the things of God. These people love to hear teachers but they reject sound Biblical doctrine. As a result they will become deceived as they believe in the lies and fables of the devil.
I certainly hope, reader, that you are not such a person! I would encourage you to stand fast in the Word of God. Judge and reject evil as you stand fast in these last days.
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