How To Stop Judging Others According To The Bible
Judging others is a common human tendency that many struggle with, even those trying to live biblical lives. If you find yourself constantly critiquing and evaluating others, you may be wondering how to stop according to biblical principles.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The Bible teaches we should not judge hypocritically or self-righteously, but with humility, wisdom and discernment. We are called to focus on our own faults rather than finding fault in others.
In this approximately 3000 word article, we will explore what the Bible says about judging others, reasons why we tend to judge, how to stop judging in a godly way, and Bible verses about judging others.
What the Bible Says About Judging Others
Do Not Judge Hypocritically
The Bible cautions against hypocritical judgment in Matthew 7:1-5, where Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
This passage warns us not to judge others for small faults when we ourselves are guilty of even greater ones. None of us are perfect or free from faults. We should focus first on repenting from our own sins before trying to point out the flaws of others.
Our judgment of others will be in direct proportion to how harshly we judge ourselves. Self-righteousness and pride often lead us to judge others much more severely than is reasonable or beneficial.
Judge with Righteous Judgment
Although the Bible warns against hypocritical and unfair judgment, Jesus also taught that there are times when we should exercise appropriate judgment. John 7:24 says, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
We should use sound wisdom and discernment to judge matters fairly, without partiality or hypocrisy.
We need to be discerning about sinful lifestyles and destructive behaviors that can harm others, while being gracious and compassionate toward the people caught up in those sins. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.”
Our goal should always be restoration.
Focus on Your Own Faults First
One of the best ways to avoid judging others unfairly is to be quick to identify sin in our own lives. James 1:19 encourages us, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Taking time to listen helps us understand where others are coming from so we can have compassion instead of criticism.
1 Corinthians 11:31 says, “But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.” Examining our own hearts first protects us from self-righteous judgments. Romans 2:1 warns, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
Focusing on our own faults fosters humility and patience toward others. By God’s grace, we can become less judgmental people who show mercy and forgiveness to all.
Reasons We Judge Others
Sinful Human Nature
According to the Bible, humanity’s natural tendency towards sin often expresses itself through critical judgments of others (Romans 3:23). This stems from the fall in the Garden of Eden that ushered sin into the world (Genesis 3).
Pride, envy, insecurity and other sinful motivations can drive people to elevate themselves by finding fault in others.
Scripture exhorts believers to recognize the shared human frailty: “Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister?” (Romans 14:10). As Jesus taught, we must first take the log out of our own eye before noting the speck in another’s eye (Matthew 7:1-5).
Self-Righteous Pride
Some believers fall into the trap of judging others out of a sense of self-righteous pride. When measuring themselves by man’s standards rather than God’s standards, they view their own virtues in an inflated manner (2 Corinthians 10:12).
This pharisaical pride and belief in one’s own righteousness often expresses itself through condemnation of others’ perceived faults or sins (Luke 18:9-14).
But Scripture reminds that all have fallen short of God’s perfect standards (Romans 3:23). Believers are saved only by God’s grace, not through any superior virtue or righteousness of their own (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Therefore humility, compassion and recognition of one’s own weakness should characterize interactions with others rather than pride or condemnation.
Insecurity and Lack of Self-Worth
Insecurity can also motivate judgmental attitudes. Individuals struggling with lack of self-worth may try elevating their own status by finding fault in others. This temporary boost often stems from an unhealthy dependence on others’ opinions rather than finding identity in Christ (Galatians 2:20).
God calls believers struggling with insecurity and lack of self-worth to find their value in being made in His image (Genesis 1:27) and to seek their identity in Christ rather than comparison with others (2 Corinthians 10:12).
Scripture reminds that “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). As believers rest securely in Christ’s love, they can interact with others out of compassion rather than insecurity or judgment.
For more on why believers should not judge others, see biblestudytools.com or gotquestions.org.
How to Stop Judging Others in a Godly Way
Examine Your Motives
When we feel tempted to judge others, we should pause and examine what’s driving that impulse. Often our critical thoughts come from arrogance, insecurity, resentment, or discontent – none of which are righteous motives. Taking honest inventory of our heart motives is tough work but absolutely vital.
The apostle Paul taught that God alone judges rightly since only He fully knows people’s thoughts and circumstances (1 Corinthians 4:5).
Cultivate Humility and Wisdom
Rather than judging, we should cultivate humility and Christlike compassion which “keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5). AsKing Solomon wrote, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
To grow in wisdom, we should remember that only God fully knows any person’s heart or struggles. We all have weaknesses, so humbly extending mercy rather than scorn builds God’s Kingdom.
Practice Discernment, Not Criticism
Discernment means correctly understanding a situation in order to respond helpfully. This differs from criticism stemming from condemnation. We should focus on understanding context before reacting. As the Lord gently said of one caught in sin, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone” (John 8:7).
Making snap judgments often causes harm.
Extend Grace
Since Jesus lavishly gives grace to us, we must extend it to others, even when they seem undeserving in our eyes. As Paul wrote, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand” (Romans 14:4).
God alone fully knows each person’s story. Rather than judging, our role is to gently guide and selflessly love others as Jesus demonstrated through His life and death.
Bible Verses About Judging Others
Judging others can be a common temptation, but the Bible provides great wisdom on why we should avoid judging others. Here are some key Bible verses about judging others and how God calls us to love one another instead.
Do Not Judge Others
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
This famous verse reminds us that when we judge and condemn others, we will also be judged by the same standard. It’s human nature to see the faults in others, but we must be careful to remove the plank from our own eye before pointing out the speck in someone else’s (Matthew 7:3-5).
Judge Righteously
“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)
While we are not to judge hypocritically, Jesus calls us to exercise wisdom and discernment. We are to judge righteously and by the standard of God’s Word. We must judge teaching and fruit to determine what is true and good according to Scripture.
God is the Judge
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:12)
As finite human beings, we are in no position to judge others. Only God in His perfect, supreme authority has the right to judge. When we presume to judge others, we place ourselves in the seat of God and usurp His authority.
Speak Truth in Love
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)
When we see a brother or sister in error, we are called to gently restore them in a spirit of love. We must guard our heart and motives when confronting sin, not relishing in catching others in their faults but hoping to lead them to repentance and restoration.
Do Not Condemn
“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
Even when sin is evident, we do not have the right to condemn others, for those who are in Christ have been set free from condemnation. Our heart should be for their good, not their punishment. We all stand guilty before a holy God and are saved only by His grace.
Rather than judging and condemning others, God calls us to love one another, forgive others, and leave final judgment to Him. Though righteous judgment has its place, often what’s needed most is compassion, mercy and an earnest desire to see others reconciled with God.
Conclusion
Judging others is an easy trap we can all fall into, even if we have the best intentions. By understanding what the Bible teaches about judging righteously rather than hypocritically, examining our own hearts, and pursuing humility and wisdom from God, we can learn to focus on our own faults rather than constantly finding fault in others.
This allows us to extend grace as we have been given grace. While we are called to exercise discernment, our foremost calling is to love one another.
