The Bible says, "JUDGE NOT"! [Matt. 7:1, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged."]

This verse, without consideration of verses 2 through 5, is used as a defense by many, well-intentioned people. It is applied in the sense that making judgments are wrong for humans toward one another, for only God can judge. The logic is, only God is perfect, therefore, since no man is perfect; no man has the right to judge another man. From my experiences, it seems that the main "beef" is not with judging, but with hypocrisy. Certainly, hypocrisy, when passing judgment is wrong. Other passages in the bible bear this out:

Romans 2:1-3…"Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who do such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?"

Rom. 2:21-23…"You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law." 

James 2:10-11…"For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law."

However, hypocrisy is not the standard by which "judging" is to be made toward others. The standard is the Bible. The Bible (in the passages above), condemns the passing of hypocritical judgments. 

Let us not be forgetful that the Bible also mentions that there is "righteous" judgment (John 7:24), which explains that righteous judgment is "not according to appearance". In this chapter, Jesus was being wrongfully judged. He had healed a man on the Sabbath day, and was accused of breaking the Law of Moses. Jesus pointed out (in John 8) that His "judging" was TRUE because it had support from His Father in the Law His Father gave thru Moses. The Father had testified about His Son in Moses' Law. If Moses' Law was from God (which they admitted), and Moses testified of Christ, why could they not "judge" righteously about Jesus, WITH THE SUPPORTED TESTIMONY OF ANOTHER - - - GOD, THROUGH THE LAW? 

Certainly the Law was clear on the matter of how to identify the promised Messiah. Why was there confusion about Jesus (some saying he was a good man; others saying he was a deceiver - John 7:12).

The Law was not "un-clear"; it was the ignorance of people about something the Law clearly foretold. The Law was the proper source as to WHO the Messiah was. So the scriptures would be the second "witness" to anyone's personal witness, thereby making it "true". Jesus plainly said, "search the scriptures...they 'testify' of Me" (John 5:39). He trusted God's testimony about Him through the word of Moses. 

In our passing of "judgment", do we have God's testimony to back up our own? We have the scriptures also. Do THEY support our judgment? If not, then our judgment will be hypocritical, just as it was unjust toward Jesus in John 7. Righteous judgment has the testimony of two - you with God, in His word. 

Let us not judge "according to appearance", but according to God's word. Jesus, used God's words when He spoke (John 12:49); there was no unrighteousness in those words. Therefore to condemn Him, was to condemn God. 

Let us speak God's words when we "judge" (1 Peter 4:11). If God's words are refused, the guilt will be on the party that refused to abide by His words. 

When God's words are condemned, God Himself is being condemned. His word will stand, and support the one who spoke them in this life, at Judgment. 

The support for our judgments today, is what God spoke thru Jesus. Let us make sure that we speak His words, for Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." ~ John 12:48

When passing judgment upon one another, if we use God's word for our witness, those who also desire God's approval will be known, by their repentance (fruits). An example of this is seen in the fornicator in the church of Christ at Corinth (2 Cor. 2). God's words were written by the apostle Paul and the heart of the fornicator was moved by godly sorrow to repent.

Passing judgment ought not be done "for fear that his deeds will be exposed", on the part of the one making the judgment. Nor should the one being judged, refuse "for fear that his deeds will be exposed". If so, both are in hypocrisy, and prejudice will result. (John 3:18-21)

God gave us His word for the purpose of edification and helping one another overcome sin. not to promote prejudice and hypocrisy. 

Let us "rightly divide" His words (2 Tim. 2:15), when giving AND receiving judgment.

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