I remember when no one had the right to judge me.
I could neutralize any valid attempt to be held accountable by rattling off Matthew 7:1. I’d “plead the 7th,” as they say. After all, when we start talking about what the Bible says, people are inclined to listen, aren’t they?
And Jesus did tell His disciples never to judge anyone, didn’t He?
“Do not judge, in order that you might not be judged. Because, by whatever standard you judge, you [also] shall be judged. And by whatever measure you measure, it [also] shall be measured to you.” [Matt. 7:1] [my emphasis]
This passage is probably the most revealing statement Jesus ever made about folks judging each other. But if I’m willing to consider the context and the author’s choice of words in these two sentences, I might come away with something I can actually apply rationally to my life.
The Greek conjunction ἵνα (hî’-nâh) was used as a grammatical marker to show purpose or result, meaning “that,” or “in order that,” or “so that.” So, if I can’t agree that perhaps Jesus’ intent here was to suggest to His disciples that there are consequences for their decisions, maybe I could just remind myself what this text doesn’t say:
“Jesus said to never judge anyone, because nobody’s perfect!”
But it would also help to learn to recognize the semantical breadth of the verb translated as “to judge” too. In Biblical Greek, the word κρίνω (krî’-nō) can mean to judge, pass judgement on, condemn, decide, determine, consider, regard, think or prefer.
So, the possibilities are endless. I have to “judge” something almost every time I open my mouth. And for me to suggest to anyone they have no right to judge me is actually a statement in judgment itself!
On the other hand, Christ never suggested to His disciples they should react to or comment on every circumstance they witness or are involved with. He was a champion of discretion and tactfulness, obviously more cognizant of human frailty than any man.
But I did have a thought.
Judge for yourself if you agree or not.
If I were never to establish for myself any reliable means for making sound judgements by creating the necessary Biblical parameters needed for determining the presence [or absence] of moral conduct or righteous principles, should I not expect a reciprocal response when I sit before Jesus on His judgement seat in the future? [see: 2Cor. 5:10]
For if I choose to maintain an opinion of indifference toward what He loathes, why wouldn’t I anticipate the same attitude from Him in return?
After all, “…by whatever standard I judge”…”and by whatever measure I measure…”