What Does The Bible Say About Judging Others?

In today’s world, the phrase “Don’t judge me!” is often used as a defense mechanism against correction or rebuke. Many people misunderstand what the Bible says about judgment, often quoting Matthew 7:1—"Judge not, that you be not judged."—to argue that Christians should never make any judgments at all. However, when we study the entirety of Scripture, we see that the Bible provides a balanced and biblical perspective on judgment.

The Bible teaches that:

1. We must judge ourselves first.

2. We should hold fellow believers accountable in love and truth.

3. God alone is the final judge of those outside the Church.

This biblical approach helps us walk in humility, wisdom, and righteousness rather than hypocrisy.

1. Judging Ourselves First

Before we attempt to correct others, Scripture calls us to examine our own hearts and actions.

📖 2 Corinthians 13:5 – "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"

📖 1 Corinthians 11:31 – "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged."

Self-examination is crucial. It ensures that our motives are pure and that we are walking in righteousness before addressing someone else's faults.

Jesus strongly warned against hypocrisy when He said:

📖 Matthew 7:3-5 –
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 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? 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."

This passage does not mean that we should never correct others; rather, it teaches that correction must come from a place of humility and righteousness, not hypocrisy. If we are guilty of the very sin we seek to correct in others, we become hypocrites rather than godly examples.

Paul also warns about this in:

📖 Romans 2:1 – "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."

This teaches that judgment without self-examination leads to self-condemnation.

Thus, before correcting others, we should ask ourselves:
✔️ Am I walking in obedience to God?
✔️ Am I guilty of the same sin I am addressing?
✔️ Am I correcting from a place of love and righteousness or from pride?

2. Holding Fellow Believers Accountable

While self-examination comes first, the Bible also commands believers to hold each other accountable. We are called to correct, rebuke, and encourage one another in love.

📖 Galatians 6:1 – "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

This means correction should be done in a spirit of humility and gentleness, understanding that we too are vulnerable to temptation.

📖 Proverbs 27:5-6 – "Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

Correction from a fellow believer, when done in love, is a blessing rather than an attack. True love does not ignore sin but calls a brother or sister to repentance.

📖 Ephesians 5:11 – "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

We are not to approve or overlook sin in the body of Christ but to address it with wisdom and discernment.

However, biblical correction should always be done in:
✅ Love (1 Corinthians 13:1-2)
✅ Gentleness (2 Timothy 2:24-25)
✅ Truth (John 8:32)

3. Leaving the Judgment of Unbelievers to God

While we are called to hold believers accountable, the Bible is clear that we are not to judge those outside the Church. Their judgment is in God’s hands, not ours.

📖 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 –
"For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth."

Instead of condemning unbelievers, our responsibility is to share the Gospel, leading them to salvation through Jesus Christ.

📖 2 Peter 3:9 – "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

God desires repentance, not condemnation. Our role is to be ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), calling the lost to salvation while leaving judgment to God.

Judging Within the Church

While the Bible warns against hypocritical and self-righteous judgment, it also commands believers to hold one another accountable within the body of Christ. Judgment within the Church is not about condemnation but about correction, restoration, and maintaining holiness.

The world often misinterprets Matthew 7:1—"Judge not, that ye be not judged."—as a blanket prohibition against making any moral judgments. However, when we study Scripture as a whole, we see that believers are not only allowed but required to judge righteously within the Church.

1. Holding Fellow Believers Accountable

📖 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 –
"For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."

This passage clearly distinguishes between judging believers and unbelievers. While we are not called to judge the world (God alone is the final judge of unbelievers), we are called to judge those within the Church to ensure holiness.

Paul addresses a case of serious sin in the Corinthian church—a man living in sexual immorality. Instead of ignoring or tolerating the sin, Paul commands the church to take action by putting the wicked person out from among them.

This shows that accountability within the Church is not optional—it is essential. Tolerating open sin within the body of Christ leads to spiritual decay and weakens the Church’s witness to the world.

2. Restoring a Fallen Brother with Gentleness

📖 Galatians 6:1 –
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

While judgment within the Church is necessary, it must always be done in love, humility, and a spirit of restoration. The goal is not to shame or condemn but to help a fellow believer return to righteousness.

✔ "Ye which are spiritual" – This emphasizes that correction should be done by mature believers who are walking in obedience to God. Those correcting others must not act out of pride or self-righteousness but with wisdom and discernment.

✔ "Restore such an one in the spirit of meekness" – The goal of judgment within the Church is restoration, not destruction. Just as a doctor carefully sets a broken bone, believers should seek to restore a fallen brother or sister with gentleness.

✔ "Considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" – This reminds us that anyone can fall into sin. Those who correct others must do so with humility, recognizing their own dependence on God's grace.

3. The Biblical Process for Addressing Sin in the Church

Jesus Himself laid out a clear step-by-step process for how to address sin among believers.

📖 Matthew 18:15-17 –
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."

The Four-Step Biblical Process for Church Discipline

1️⃣ Private Confrontation – If a believer sins, we are to address them privately first. This allows them to repent without unnecessary embarrassment.

2️⃣ Bringing Witnesses – If they refuse to listen, we are to bring one or two others to confirm the matter. This step reinforces accountability and helps ensure the correction is handled fairly.

3️⃣ Bringing It Before the Church – If the individual still refuses to repent, the matter should be brought before the entire church body. At this point, the community calls the person to repentance.

4️⃣ Separation from the Unrepentant – If the person still refuses correction, Jesus says they should be treated as an unbeliever (a heathen or tax collector). This means they are no longer considered part of the believing community.

This process is not about shaming or punishing but about protecting the holiness of the Church and seeking to bring the unrepentant person back to Christ.

God Will Judge Those Outside the Church

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that God alone holds the authority to judge the world. While believers are called to live righteously and uphold the truth, the final judgment of those outside the Church belongs to God. This truth is consistently affirmed throughout Scripture.

God is the Righteous Judge

Romans 2:16 states:
"In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."

This verse highlights that God’s judgment is not merely external but extends to the very secrets of men’s hearts. Nothing is hidden from Him, and every thought, action, and motive will be laid bare before Him.

Similarly, Hebrews 4:13 declares:
"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."

This reminds us that no one can escape the gaze of the Lord, and His judgment is thorough and just.

Judgment Before the Throne of God

Revelation 20:12 gives a striking picture of the final judgment:
"And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

This passage reveals that every individual—regardless of status, wealth, or position—will stand before God and be judged based on what has been recorded about them. The ultimate question will be whether their names are found in the Book of Life.

Matthew 25:31-32 further describes this judgment:
"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats."

Here, Jesus explains that He will separate those who belong to Him from those who rejected Him. The righteous will inherit eternal life, while the unrighteous will face eternal separation from God.

The Standard of Judgment: The Word of Christ

Jesus Himself made it clear that rejection of His message leads to judgment. In John 12:48, He states:
"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day."

This means that God’s judgment is not arbitrary—it is based on the truth of His Word. Those who refuse to accept the Gospel will face judgment not according to human opinions but according to the unchanging truth of Scripture.

Our Role: Leading Others to Salvation

Since God alone is the righteous judge of the unbelieving world, our focus as believers should not be on condemning sinners but on pointing them to Christ.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 reinforces this principle:
"For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."

Paul teaches that our responsibility is not to judge unbelievers but to maintain holiness within the Church. Those outside are in God's hands, and our mission is to preach the Gospel so they may come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 reminds us of God’s heart toward sinners:
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

God desires that all people turn to Him and be saved. Our role as followers of Christ is to share the Gospel with love and urgency, leaving judgment in God's hands.

Winning the Lost Through the Goodness of God

Many Christians make the mistake of pointing fingers at sinners with an attitude of condemnation rather than sharing the hope of the Gospel. The Bible tells us that it is not shame, guilt, or humiliation that leads people to repentance but the goodness of God.

• Romans 2:4 – "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"

• 2 Peter 3:9 – "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Jesus Himself demonstrated this truth when He forgave the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11). He did not condemn her but instructed her to "go, and sin no more." His kindness and forgiveness were what transformed her, not public humiliation or harsh rebuke.

We also see this approach in other biblical figures who preached the Gospel to sinners. The Apostle Paul, before his conversion, persecuted Christians, yet God extended mercy to him, making him an example of grace and redemption (1 Timothy 1:15-16). When Paul preached to the Gentiles, he did not begin by condemning them but by declaring the message of salvation through Jesus Christ (Acts 17:22-31).

Similarly, Peter on the day of Pentecost boldly preached to the crowd that they had crucified the Messiah, yet he immediately pointed them to repentance and salvation in Christ (Acts 2:36-38). Instead of focusing solely on their sin, he offered them the hope of redemption, leading 3,000 souls to salvation that day.

Another example is Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39). Philip did not approach the man with condemnation but rather explained the Scriptures, revealing Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy. This led the eunuch to believe and be baptized immediately.

When we preach the Gospel, we must follow these biblical examples—offering hope, not condemnation, and leading people to Christ through love and the truth of God’s Word.

Preaching the Gospel to the Lost

Since God is the ultimate judge of the world, our role as believers is to spread the Gospel to all who have not yet heard the Good News.

• Mark 16:15 – "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

• Romans 10:14-15 – "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?"

Rather than acting as judges over unbelievers, we are called to be messengers of grace, love, and truth. We are to share the Gospel everywhere we go, ensuring that those who have not yet heard about Jesus have an opportunity to receive salvation.

Jesus Himself set the perfect example of how to reach sinners. He spoke to the woman at the well with compassion, revealing the truth about her life in a way that led her to faith rather than shame (John 4:7-26). He dined with tax collectors and sinners, showing them love while calling them to repentance (Luke 5:30-32). In Luke 19:1-10, Jesus called Zacchaeus, a dishonest tax collector, to salvation by first showing him kindness, which led to his complete transformation.

When we preach the Gospel, we should follow Christ’s example—meeting people where they are, showing them the love of God, and sharing the truth of salvation. Our words should be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6), drawing people to the hope found in Jesus rather than pushing them away through condemnation. The message of the Gospel is one of hope, forgiveness, and new life, and we must present it in a way that reflects the heart of God.

Conclusion

The Bible does not tell us to avoid judgment entirely; rather, it instructs us to judge righteously within the church and to ensure that we ourselves are living holy lives. While we are to hold one another accountable as believers, we are not to judge the unbelieving world—that is God’s role. Our focus should be on winning souls through the goodness of God, preaching the Gospel, and leading others to repentance through love and truth.

Let us walk in wisdom, discernment, and grace, ensuring that we are living as lights in this dark world, reflecting the character of Christ in all that we do.