The Sin of Assumption (Part 1)

We've all been guilty once of twice with making false assumptions or bad judgments about people whether we want to admit it or not. In America we are supposed to be assumed innocent until proven guilty, but with social media and a press desiring scandalous news it doesn't usually work that way. Even if a person is proven innocent the sting of the assumption lasts for the reset of their life.

Jesus’ command not to judge others could be the most widely quoted of His sayings, even though it is almost invariably always quoted in complete disregard of its context.

Here is Jesus’ statement:

Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

Many people use this verse in an attempt to silence their critics, interpreting Jesus’ meaning as “You don’t have the right to tell me I’m wrong.” Taken by itself, Jesus’ command “Do not judge” does indeed seem to detest all negative assessments. However, there is much more to the passage than those three words.

The Word’s command that we not judge others does not mean we cannot show discernment. Immediately after Jesus says, “Do not judge,” He says:

Matthew 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs.”

A little later in the same sermon in Verses 15 and 16, He says, “Watch out for false prophets. . . . by their fruit you will recognize them.”

How are we to discern who are the “dogs” and “pigs” and "false prophets” unless we have the ability to make a judgment call on doctrines and deeds? Jesus is giving us permission to tell right from wrong.

The Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean all actions are equally moral or that truth is relative. The Bible clearly teaches that truth is objective, eternal, and inseparable from God’s character. Anything that contradicts the truth is a lie but, of course, to call something a “lie” is to pass judgment. To call adultery or murder a sin is likewise to pass judgment, but it’s also to agree with God. When Jesus said not to judge others, He did not mean that no one can identify sin for what it is, based on God’s definition of sin.

Also, the Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean there should be no mechanism for dealing with sin. The Bible has a whole book entitled Judges. The judges in the Old Testament were raised up by God Himself. The modern judicial system, including its judges, is a necessary part of society. In saying, “Do not judge,” Jesus was not saying, “Anything goes.”

Elsewhere, Jesus gives a direct command to judge. In John 7:24 He said:

“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

Here we have an idea as to the right type of judgment versus the wrong type. Taking this verse and some others, we can put together a description of the sinful types of judgment. There are things that we do not want to assume until we know all the facts. That's something every believer ought to remember because Jesus blood does forgive a multitude of sin.