Judging others is a temptation that undermines the spirit of love, grace, and humility taught by Jesus Christ. Let’s refrain from passing judgment as we explore the verses that caution against hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and the folly of judging others without first examining our own hearts and motives before God.
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Bible Verses About Judging Others
Matthew 7:1-2
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
This verse serves as a reminder to not pass judgment on others, as we ourselves will also face judgment from God. It cautions against being quick to criticize or condemn others, for our own actions and attitudes will be measured against the same standard. It reflects the principle of treating others with grace and mercy, instead of harsh judgment.
James 4:11-12
“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”
This verse emphasizes the importance of refraining from slandering or speaking ill of others. It reminds believers that when we judge or speak against fellow believers, we are going against God’s law and placing ourselves in the role of a judge. It challenges us to remember that it is God alone who has the authority to judge both the law and our hearts. We should humbly recognize our position as sinners in need of mercy and not presume to judge our neighbors.
John 8:7
“When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’”
This verse tells the story of Jesus preventing a woman from being stoned for her sins. It highlights the hypocrisy of those who judge others without recognizing their own sins. Jesus challenges the crowd, stating that only those who are without sin are qualified to judge. It serves as a reminder for believers to examine their own lives before passing judgment on others, and to approach others with the same grace and forgiveness that Jesus showed.
Romans 14:4
“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.”
This verse reminds believers that it is not their place to judge the actions or choices of others. Each person is accountable to God, and it is He who has the authority to judge. This verse encourages believers to focus on their own relationship with God and trust in His ability to guide and strengthen others. It instills humility and discourages self-righteousness, highlighting the importance of unity and acceptance within the body of believers.
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
In this verse, Jesus instructs His followers not to judge or condemn others. He teaches that the measure of judgment we extend to others will be applied to us. Instead, Jesus calls for forgiveness, offering the promise that those who forgive will also receive forgiveness. This verse emphasizes the importance of extending grace and mercy to others, rather than casting judgment, and highlights the reciprocal relationship between our actions and God’s response towards us.
James 2:13
“Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
James emphasizes the importance of showing mercy to others, as judgment without mercy will be shown to those who have not shown it. This verse underlines the significance of extending forgiveness and compassion rather than condemnation. It reminds believers that mercy ultimately prevails over judgment, encouraging them to reflect God’s grace in their interactions with others.
Luke 18:11
“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.’
This verse depicts the attitude of a self-righteous Pharisee who prays in a judgmental manner, elevating himself above others. It serves as a cautionary tale against the dangers of self-righteousness, arrogance, and comparing oneself to others. The Pharisee’s prayer illustrates the temptation to judge others while failing to recognize our own flaws and need for God’s grace.
Galatians 6:1
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
This verse provides guidance on how to correctly address sin in the lives of fellow believers. It teaches that instead of harshly judging or condemning someone, we should approach them with gentleness and a desire for restoration. However, it also reminds us to be self-aware and cautious, as we are not immune to temptation ourselves. This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining an attitude of humility and love when dealing with the sins of others.
1 Corinthians 4:5
“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”
Paul encourages believers to reserve judgment until the appointed time, which is when the Lord returns. By doing so, we acknowledge that only God has the full knowledge and understanding necessary to judge accurately. This verse reminds us that God sees beyond the external actions and can discern the true motivations of the heart. It also offers the hope that one day, all will be revealed and each person will receive their just reward or praise from God.
Colossians 2:16-17
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
Paul encourages the Colossian believers not to allow others to pass judgment on them for their observance of various customs and traditions. He emphasizes that these external practices are merely a shadow of the greater reality found in Christ. This verse reminds believers that their identity and worth are found in Christ alone, and they should not be swayed or burdened by the judgments of others regarding outward symbols or rituals.
Matthew 7:3-5
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Jesus uses this analogy to illustrate the hypocrisy of those who judge others without recognizing their own faults. He urges believers to first address their own shortcomings before presuming to correct others. This verse highlights the importance of self-reflection, humility, and empathy when dealing with the faults of others, reminding us to remove our own “planks” before attempting to help others with their “specks.”
Matthew 23:27-28
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Jesus directs these strong words towards the religious leaders of His time, who, despite their outward appearance of righteousness, were corrupt inwardly. This verse cautions against the danger of presenting a false image of holiness while harboring sinful attitudes and motives internally. It serves as a reminder to examine our own hearts and ensure that our actions align with our faith, for God sees beyond external appearances and judges the heart.
Luke 6:41-42
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
In this verse, Jesus reiterates the importance of addressing our own faults before attempting to correct others. He warns against being hypocritical by focusing on minor issues in others while ignoring major issues within ourselves. This verse emphasizes self-awareness and humility as prerequisites for effectively helping others remove their faults, promoting self-reflection rather than snap judgments.
Romans 2:1
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
Paul addresses those who engage in judgmental behavior, reminding them that in doing so, they condemn themselves. He highlights the irony and self-incrimination of those who judge others while committing the same sins. This verse calls for self-examination and humility, urging believers to refrain from harsh judgment and instead focus on their own need for forgiveness and transformation.
John 7:24
“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
Jesus challenges the crowd to move beyond superficial judgments based on outward appearances and to develop discernment based on a deeper understanding of people and situations. This verse encourages believers to exercise wisdom and fairness when evaluating others, guarding against making hasty or superficial judgments. It calls for a balanced and righteous judgment that is rooted in truth and understanding.
1 Samuel 16:7
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
In this verse, God provides insight to Samuel regarding the selection of a new king. He emphasizes that He looks beyond external appearances and evaluates individuals based on the condition of their hearts. This verse serves as a reminder that God’s judgments are not influenced by human standards or superficial traits, encouraging believers to adopt a similar perspective when assessing others.
1 Corinthians 5:12-13
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked person from among you.'”
Paul teaches the Corinthian church about the distinction between judging believers and those outside the faith. He emphasizes that it is not their place to judge those outside the church, as God will handle that judgment. However, within the body of believers, there is a responsibility to address sin and maintain the sanctity of the church. This verse encourages believers to exercise discernment and discipline within the church while leaving judgment of non-believers to God.
Matthew 12:37
“For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words, you will be condemned.”
In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the power and weight of our words. He highlights that our words not only have the ability to bring either acquittal or condemnation upon ourselves but also onto others. This verse cautions believers against using their words to pass judgment or speak harshly about others, reminding them of the accountability they have for their words and the impact they can have on their own spiritual standing.
Titus 3:2
“to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
Paul instructs Titus in this verse to slander no one and to cultivate a spirit of peace, consideration, and gentleness toward all. It underlines the importance of controlling our speech and avoiding harmful and judgmental words. This verse encourages believers to interact with others in a loving and respectful manner, reflecting Christ’s character and promoting unity within the body of believers.
Matthew 7:16
“By their fruit, you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?”
Jesus utilizes a metaphor in this verse to convey the idea that the true nature of a person or their actions can be discerned by the fruit they produce. It urges believers to be discerning and judge based on the evidence of a person’s character rather than making snap judgments. This verse encourages believers to exercise wisdom, discernment, and spiritual insight when evaluating others, not solely based on outward appearances.
Proverbs 31:9
“Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
This verse instructs believers to speak up and judge fairly, particularly in the context of defending the rights of the marginalized and disadvantaged. It highlights that there are instances where righteous judgment is called for, especially when it comes to advocating for justice and equality. This verse encourages believers to use their judgment to advocate for the well-being of others, especially those who lack a voice or face systemic injustices.
Judges 7:4
“But the Lord said to Gideon, ‘There are still too many men.’ Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”
This verse tells the story of God directing Gideon to reduce the number of men he had gathered for battle. It illustrates God’s discernment in selecting those who would accompany Gideon, underscoring the importance of seeking divine wisdom and guidance when making judgments. This verse serves as a reminder that God sees and knows more than we do, calling believers to trust His judgment and seek His guidance in decision-making.
James 5:9
“Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”
James cautions against grumbling and complaining about one another, warning believers that they will be judged if they engage in such behavior. This verse reminds us that God is the ultimate Judge, and we should abstain from criticizing or judging our fellow believers. It encourages us to instead focus on building each other up and treating others with love and kindness, recognizing that God is ever present and aware of our actions.
Isaiah 11:3-4
“and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.”
This verse prophesies about a future righteous ruler who will judge with righteousness and justice, in contrast to human judgments based on appearances and rumors. It serves as an encouragement for believers to seek justice and righteousness in their judgments, especially when it comes to dealing with the marginalized and less fortunate. This verse highlights the importance of aligning our judgments with God’s righteous standards rather than relying on our limited perceptions.