THE Word of God says to fallible mortals: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matt. 7:1. This is worth consideration by all, but especially by those who believe that “every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” We will get the same consideration in the judgment that we grant unto others before the judgment.
Another reason for not judging is that God says it is inexcusable in us. “Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” Rom. 2:1. Therefore if the one who is given to judging is desirous of knowing what manner of man he is, he has only to look at the picture he has drawn of the one he is judging, and he will see himself; he will see his own likeness as shown by the camera of God's Word.
There is, however, a species of judging that is practicable, and that is self-examination. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Cor. 13:5. “If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” 1 Cor. 11:31. In harmony with this is the word of Christ in John 7:24, “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” Judging by appearance is the way the carnal mind judges others. Such judgment is always vicious, and is incapable, even unwilling, to see beyond the range of imperfect human sight. But righteous judgment is spiritual, and is therefore always charitable and merciful. “Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.” Matt. 5:7. Among brethren it is always safe to regard this counsel of the apostle Paul: “In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Phil. 2:3), “in honor preferring one another” (Rom. 12:10).
This apostle also gives us a happy conclusion in view of the judgment: “Let us not therefore judge one another any more; but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.” Rom. 14:13. W. N. G.