Question: Dear Mr. McLemore, What did Jesus mean when he said “Judge not...” (Matthew 7:1)?

Answer: Jesus certainly did not discourage examining evidence and reaching a right conclusion on the basis thereof. He warned against making decisions on the wrong basis (See Luke 12:57; John 7:24; 8:15, 16; cf. Acts 4:19; 1 Corinthians 11:31, etc.). It is certainly permissible to examine the conduct of people (both of ourselves and others) and compare it with the divine standard and determine if it is right or wrong (Matthew 7:16, 20). None of us is omniscient, and thus we cannot know of all the circumstances involved in behavior or what is in the hearts of others. God and Christ, on the other hand, know all things and are competent to judge absolutely. What Jesus addresses is what we would call fault-finding. His emphasis is upon an attitude of pride which blinds one to one’s own (and often greater) faults and is anxious to discover the faults of others. The remedy is honestly to consider if we are willing to have others perform such a service for us!