Judge not, lest you be judged. These Words of Jesus are often used by non-Christians against Christians and their judgmental attitudes. When we speak against homosexuality or abortion or living together or any other social sin we often hear “judge not!” A couple of thoughts on this: First, the passage is speaking of Christians judging Christians (notice the word brother), or Christians interacting with other Christians. How often do we see or hear one Christian putting down another one, commenting about the other person’s sin, yet not recognizing our own. And in doing so, one of the Christians might end up questioning his own faith because of the comments of the first. This is what Jesus speaks about in verse six when he says “Do not throw your pearls (meaning other believers) before pigs (out of the church).”
Second, the passage is not saying that it is not our job to confront sin. We need to exhort our brothers & sisters when they sin to lead them to repentance. But we must do this first with humility, recognizing that we, too, are sinners. We also need to show love and compassion, not condemning the person (that’s God’s job) but instead confronting the sin.
Who have you judged lately? Ask God (and them) to forgive you. Who do you need to confront with love and compassion? Pray that God will give you the opportunity and the words and the humility to do this for the spiritual health of your friend.