What Does "Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged" Mean in the Bible?

Judging a Christian

"Judge not, lest ye be judged" is a phrase that appears in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 7, verse 1. The full verse reads: "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."

This verse is often taken to mean that we should not be quick to judge or criticize others, as we ourselves are also imperfect and subject to judgment. It suggests that we should show compassion and understanding towards others, rather than being critical or judgmental.

The phrase "judge not, lest ye be judged" is often understood in the context of the Golden Rule, which appears in several different religious traditions and is expressed in Matthew 7:12 as "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." In other words, we should treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves.

The concept of not judging others can also be found in other parts of the Bible. For example, in James 4:12, it says: "There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" This verse suggests that it is not for us to judge others, as it is God who ultimately judges and has the power to save or destroy.

The idea of not judging others can also be seen in Jesus' teachings about loving your neighbor. In Matthew 22:39, Jesus says: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." This commandment to love others is often understood to mean that we should not judge or criticize them, but rather show them love and compassion.

In summary, "judge not, lest ye be judged" is a reminder to be mindful of our own imperfections and to show compassion and understanding towards others rather than being critical or judgmental. It encourages us to follow the Golden Rule and to love our neighbors as ourselves, recognizing that it is ultimately God who judges and has the power to save or destroy.

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