The Bible’s counsel about casting judgement on others is insightful. It challenges Christians to exercise understanding, empathy and love as they seek righteousness in their personal lives and relationships.
What the Bible Teaches about Judging Others
The Bible continually emphasizes the importance of showing mercy, kindness, and grace towards others, discouraging the act of passing judgment. The manifold teachings suggest that human judgement often stems from a limited perspective and may involve bias, prejudice or misconceptions. As such, the Bible urges believers to leave judgement in the hands of God who is capable of discerning truth from falsehood and purity from sin in a righteous manner. Reminding followers that all are equal in the eyes of God, the Bible cautions against raising oneself above others through judgment, which could lead to pride, a major impediment to cultivating a virtuous Christian life.
Why the Bible Discourages Judging Others
The Bible’s stance against passing judgment on others is tied strongly to its teachings on love, forgiveness and humility. Drawing from the understanding that everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, the Bible discourages judging others as it could mean focusing on their faults and mistakes instead of their virtues. The Bible instead encourages believers to correct rather than condemn, granting others the same grace, understanding and forgiveness they would wish for themselves. Additionally, undue judgement may stem from pride; the Bible, therefore, warns against it and reminds believers of the importance of humility.
When to Avoid Judging Others According to the Bible
The Bible, acknowledges that there are some instances where individuals may feel compelled to pass judgment on others. However, it strongly advises against this particularly when such judgments are made in the absence of full understanding or when influenced by personal biases or prejudices. The Bible advocates for the believers to refrain from judging others based on appearances, personal opinions or social standings. Instead, discernment is encouraged: Christians are urged to exercise wisdom, understanding and love in dealing with others, while leaving final judgments to God.
Who is Permitted to Judge in the Bible
The Bible, throughout its teachings, upholds God as the ultimate judge. This fundamental belief originates from God’s omnipresence, omnipotence, and omniscience, where His judgement is distinguished by His perfect knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Contrarily, human judgment is often flawed – limited by personal perspectives, experiences, biases and a lack of complete knowledge. Simultaneously, the Bible does not discourage constructive criticism or the seeking of justice, as these can represent expressions of love and concern for one’s fellow humans. However, the emphasis remains on tempering such actions with humility, love, mercy and a conscious avoidance of hypocrisy.
What Are the Consequences of Judging Others in the Bible
The Bible provides admonitions about the implications of judging others. Primarily, it asserts that as humans, by judging others, we inevitably set ourselves up to be judged. This warning is not intended to induce fear but to caution believers about the human tendency to judge and its potential spiritual consequences. Instead of passing judgement, the Bible encourages believers to foster understanding, patience, and love towards others. The intention is to cultivate an environment of acceptance and forgiveness, reflecting God’s infinite love and mercy for humanity.
Below is our full list of bible verses on judging others (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Judging Others
Matthew 7:1-5
“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.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?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?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.”
Luke 6:37
“37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:”
Related Themes: Forgiveness Criticism Bitterness Justice
John 7:24
“24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
Related Themes: Discernment Criticism Resolving Conflict Modesty
James 4:11-12
“11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”
James 4:12
“12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”
Related Themes: Hell
Romans 2:1-3
“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.2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”
Ephesians 4:29
“29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Complaining Cursing
John 8:7
“7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
Related Themes: Criticism Tolerance Forgiveness
Matthew 7:5
“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.”
Related Themes: Hypocrisy Resolving Conflict Discernment
Matthew 7:1-2
“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
Titus 3:2-7
“2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Related Themes: Gossip Humility Gentleness Meekness
James 1:26
“26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”
Related Themes: Gossip Bitterness Hypocrisy Cursing
Proverbs 31:9
“9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Related Themes: Justice Protests Fairness Speaking Up
Galatians 6:1
“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.”
Related Themes: Criticism Trespassing Reaping Pride
Luke 6:31
“31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
Related Themes: Gossip Business Love Friendship
Luke 6:37-42
“37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.”
Related Themes: Forgiveness Criticism Bitterness Justice
1 Corinthians 2:15
“15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”
John 3:17
“17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Related Themes: Reaping Reaping What You Sow Condemnation Letting Go
2 Corinthians 5:10
“10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
Related Themes: Personal Responsibility Reaping What You Sow Retribution Judgment
Matthew 6:14-15
“14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Bitterness Forgiveness
Leviticus 19:15
“15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.”
Related Themes: Justice Social Justice Partiality Equality
Romans 2:3
“3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?”
Related Themes: Hypocrisy Retribution
James 4:11
“11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.”
Galatians 5:14
“14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Related Themes: Strangers Discrimination 10 commandments Selflessness
Matthew 7:1-6
“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.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?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?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.6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
1 Samuel 16:7
“7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Related Themes: Pride Self-Esteem Criticism Vanity Heart
1 Corinthians 5:12-13
“12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
Related Themes: Rebuking
Romans 14:1
“1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”
Romans 12:16-19
“16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Related Themes: Pride Humility Frustration Attitude
