The only two words some folks know in Matthew 7 are “Judge not.” And they act like there is a period or exclamation point after the word “not.” They could not be further from the truth.
Certainly, Jesus says, “Judge not,” but following the comma He goes on to say, “…that you be not judged” (Matt. 7:1). Jesus is not teaching that it is wrong to judge. He goes on to say to “first” examine your own faults, “and then you will see clearly” to help others with theirs (7:5). If it is wrong to judge others, then how could one know who are the “dogs” or “swine” (in verse 6) or the “false prophets” (in verse 20)? The whole chapter demands evaluations and judgments to be made. Jesus explained this further in John 7:24 – “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” Judging according to the Divine standard of judgment (i.e., the righteous judgment of God’s Word) is commanded and expected.
As we “measure” (7:2) others against God’s Word, He will use that same “measurement” against us! Let us be consistent and fair and true.