What does the Bible say about judging people?
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The Bible forbids proud, hypocritical condemnation of others while calling believers to exercise humble, truthful discernment under God’s authority. In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus warns that those who judge must first examine and repent of their own sin. Luke 6:37 teaches mercy and forgiveness, while John 7:24 calls for righteous rather than superficial judgment. James 4:11-12 reminds us that God alone is the final Lawgiver and Judge. Yet Scripture also commands the church to recognize false teachers and divisive influences, as Matthew 7:15 and Romans 16:17-18 show. Christians should therefore speak truth lovingly, pursue restoration, and leave final judgment to the Lord.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 7:1-5
[1] "Don't judge, so that you won't be judged. [2] For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. [3] Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam that is in your own eye? [4] Or how will you tell your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye;' and behold, the beam is in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye.
- Luke 6:37
Don't judge, And you won't be judged. Don't condemn, And you won't be condemned. Set free, And you will be set free.
- John 7:24
Don't judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
- James 4:11-12
[11] Don't speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. [12] Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?
- Matthew 7:1
"Don't judge, so that you won't be judged.
- Romans 16:17-18
[17] Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them. [18] For those who are such don't serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
- Romans 2:3
Do you think this, O man who judges those who practice such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
- Proverbs 10:18
He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.
- Luke 12:57
Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?
- Matthew 7:15
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
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