Can We Judge Others?

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. (NASB) Gal. 6:1

First, we need to deal with any sin in our life - the log. Then we can help someone else who is not dealing with the sin in their life - the splinter. Notice that the Holy Spirit says, “. . . you who are spiritual . . .” Anyone who has confessed their sins and prayerfully approaches the person with the “splinter in the eye” with the goal of restoration and not condemnation is qualified.

Matthew 18:15-17 provides detailed guidelines. First, we are to go in private to the person who sinned - not telling everyone first. If he or she will not listen, then we must visit again with two or three witnesses. The goal is to speak kind words and encourage him or her to repent. The purpose is not to condemn, argue, make one feel bad, or speak evil. The goal is to show Christ’s love and encourage the person to stop sinning. It is a call to repent. If he or she will not listen, then we must tell the leaders of the church and let them take it from there

The goal is not to be judgmental. The goal is to listen (John 7:51) and to evaluate the person's actions righteously. The goal is restoration while protecting his or her reputation. The goal is to win him or her.

Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. (NASB) Matt. 7:6

Do not give what is holy to dogs! That requires evaluation or judgment in order to determine who is a dog or a pig! Do not throw your pearls before swine, or pigs! That also requires evaluation or judgment! Notice that we cannot fulfill Jesus’ commands without passing judgment or making an evaluation of others. Matt. 7:1-6 is about righteous judgment. Jesus never prohibited us from judging someone. But He did tell us to do it righteously - fairly.

Now what did Jesus mean by “dogs” and “pigs”? Today many people have dogs as pets, but the Jews did not like dogs and they did not like pigs. Dogs and pigs were regarded as filthy or unclean animals. The dogs and pigs represent those who are in sin - those who have splinters in their eyes.

What did Jesus mean by “do not give what is holy”? What does He mean by “holy”? What does He mean by “pearls”? There are a variety of opinions. Some say the pearls refer to the Word of God. Some say that the “holy” refers to meat offered on the temple altar. But Jesus does not explain the meaning of these words, and ultimately it really does not matter what the words actually mean. What is clear is that some people do not want the splinter removed. They want the splinter. Then we must stop giving what we consider to be “holy” and what we consider to be “pearls” to dogs and pigs. We must stop giving our best to help someone.

Conclusion. Several years ago I was driving near Washington D.C. and listening to a preacher on the radio. He turned to Matt. 7:1 and proceeded to tell the radio audience that Jesus wanted us to stop judging others. He apparently never realized that Jesus’ illustrations about the splinter and the log in the eye or the dogs and pigs and the holy things and pearls require that each person evaluate another’s life. Jesus was talking about helping people who had problems. Jesus was also talking about righteous or fair judgment. He never explained that Jesus was talking about a righteous evaluation and that at some point one might need to stop, if the person was not interested in being helped.

The recorded words of Jesus are consistent with the words that He had His disciples write throughout the New Testament. He has called us to deal with the logs in our own eyes too! Are there any logs in your eye? Are you confessing your own sins? Are you loving and praying for your enemy or those who irritate you?