We have all heard it: “Don’t judge me!” It has become a common response in our culture—even among people who do not profess to be Christians.
But what does the Bible actually teach about judging others?
As Christians, how are we supposed to discern whether someone is truly following Christ? Social media bios are filled with phrases like “Jesus follower,” and celebrities may quote Scripture or speak openly about faith. But simply claiming the name of Christ does not necessarily tell us what someone truly believes or how they are living.
Scripture tells us in 1 John 4:1 not to believe every spirit, but to “test the spirits” to determine whether they are from God. If we are commanded to test, examine, and discern, then clearly there is a place for biblical judgment.
The question is not simply, “Are Christians allowed to judge?”
The better question is: How does God command us to judge?
What Did Jesus Mean by “Judge Not”?
One of the most commonly quoted—and often misunderstood—passages on this subject is Matthew 7:1, where Jesus says:
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
Many people stop reading there. But when we continue through the passage, Jesus explains what He means.
In Matthew 7:2–5, Jesus warns that the standard we use to judge others will also be applied to us. He gives the familiar illustration of someone trying to remove a speck from another person’s eye while ignoring the plank in his own.
Jesus calls that hypocrisy.
His instruction is not to ignore the speck forever. Instead, He says to first remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly enough to help remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
That distinction matters.
Jesus is warning us against hypocritical, self-righteous judgment. Before confronting someone else’s sin, we should examine our own hearts. We should pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where we need repentance, correction, and growth.
It is easy to point one finger at someone else while forgetting that three are pointing back at us.
Biblical discernment should always begin with humility.
But notice that Jesus does not say we should never address the speck in another believer’s eye. He tells us to deal with our own sin first so that we can see clearly enough to help our brother or sister.
That requires discernment.
A few verses later, Jesus even warns about casting what is sacred before those who will trample it underfoot (Matthew 7:6). How could we apply that instruction without exercising some level of discernment about a person's behavior and response?
We Are Called to Examine the Fruit
Jesus continues in Matthew 7:15–20 by warning His followers to watch out for false prophets.
He tells us that we will recognize them “by their fruit.”
A healthy tree produces good fruit, while a bad tree produces bad fruit.
In other words, Jesus tells us to pay attention.
We are not called to blindly accept every person who claims to speak for Christ. We should examine their teaching, character, conduct, and the fruit being produced in their lives.
We need to become careful and prayerful fruit inspectors.
So what kind of fruit should characterize someone who is walking with Christ?
Galatians 5:22–23 gives us a clear picture:
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
None of us displays these qualities perfectly. Christians still sin, stumble, repent, and grow. Therefore, we should be very careful about judging someone based on a single mistake, difficult season, or moment of weakness.
What Scripture calls us to examine are patterns.
When we continually see selfishness, vindictiveness, revenge, uncontrolled anger, greed, worldliness, hatred, divisiveness, or an unwillingness to repent, we should pay attention.
Not so that we can gossip about the person.
Not so that we can feel superior.
But so that we can respond with wisdom, prayer, truth, and appropriate biblical boundaries.
Sometimes Love Requires Confrontation
There are times when loving another believer means privately and graciously confronting sinful behavior.
Biblical love does not mean approving everything someone does. Sometimes the loving response is to tell someone the truth and encourage them to turn away from sin.
But our attitude matters.
Correction should never come from pride, revenge, anger, or a desire to embarrass someone. It should come from humility and genuine concern for that person's spiritual well-being.
There are also situations in which someone continually causes division and refuses correction.
Titus 3:10 instructs believers to warn a divisive person once and then a second time. If that person persists, Scripture tells us to separate ourselves from their divisive behavior.
Again, that requires discernment.
There may be times when boundaries are not unloving—they are biblical and necessary.
Judge With Right Judgment
Jesus gives us another important instruction in John 7:24:
“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
That helps us understand the larger biblical picture.
Scripture does not call Christians to abandon judgment altogether. It calls us to reject hypocritical, superficial, prideful, and self-righteous judgment while practicing humble, biblical discernment.
There is a significant difference between condemning someone and discerning whether their behavior or teaching aligns with the Word of God.
Our standard cannot simply be our feelings, preferences, personalities, politics, traditions, or personal opinions.
God's Word must be the standard.
And when correction is necessary, it should be done with love, humility, kindness, patience, and grace.
James 5:19–20 reminds us that helping someone turn back from wandering away from the truth is deeply significant. The goal of biblical correction should always be restoration—not humiliation.
That is what righteous judgment should look like.
Before confronting someone else, examine yourself.
Before believing everything someone teaches, examine their fruit.
Before making assumptions about someone's heart, pray for wisdom.
Before correcting another believer, make sure your motivation is love rather than pride.
And above all, remain grounded in Scripture.
Discernment protects us from false teaching and deception, but it also helps us lovingly encourage one another toward repentance, truth, and spiritual maturity.
Following Christ means obeying all of His commands—including His commands to examine ourselves, test what we hear, discern carefully, correct lovingly, forgive freely, and walk humbly before Him.
- If you are struggling with discernment, difficult relationships, setting biblical boundaries, or knowing how to lovingly confront someone in your life, biblical counseling can help you work through these situations according to God's Word. Together, we can develop a practical, faith-based plan for responding with wisdom, truth, grace, and humility. Schedule an appointment with me today.
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Recommended Reading
The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment — Tim Challies
The Pursuit of Holiness — Jerry Bridges
Knowing Scripture — R.C. Sproul
The Peacemaker — Ken Sande
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