Many people take your Word out of context to justify themselves or falsely lead people (purposeful or not). That's why it is important for me to read the Bible and not just listen to what others have to say about it.
I've heard a lot, "You shouldn't judge him" or "God is the only one who can judge." People who say this take the first verse out of context, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." Verses 1-6 in the entirety explains judging and being judged.
Let's dissect the verses individually.
Verse 1: Judge not, that ye be not judged. Don't judge so that you're not judged. Meaning, be ready to be judged if you are going to judge.
Verse 2: For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. For as much as you judge someone for something, you'll be judged the same way for the same thing.
Verse 3: And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Why point out someone's problem or flaw when you have a bigger problem or flaw?
Verse 4: Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye. Why would you offer to help someone when you need help yourself?
Verse 5: Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Handle your own business before trying fix someone else's problem.
Verse 6: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Don't try to help those who don't want it. They will only try to bring you down with them.
Conclusion: It's okay to judge others. However, you better be prepared to be judged back. If you have things you need to work on yourself, you shouldn't go judging someone about something you think they need to fix. Get yourself right before trying to get someone else right. It's like when a woman criticizes the way another one dresses when she herself speaks with foul language or a drunk trying to help another drunk. And although you have dealt with your issues doesn't mean the person you are judging wants your help.
This passage spoke to me. Sometimes I can be judgmental when I don't have the right to be. I have found that unless you truly know that person inside and out, you may have no idea what they may be going through. And even if you do, it doesn't give you the right to take it upon yourself to help them because you think you're the expert. If they don't want your help, all you can do is speak from the heart and let it be. In the end, they either accept you, Lord, or they don't.
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