The Nonbeliever’s Favorite Verse
Editors note: I borrowed the following article from my churches daily devotional from 8/18/2010, I don’t think Pastor Greg will mind me sharing his wisdom with you. Enjoy
Do you know what the nonbeliever’s favorite verse is? It is Matthew 7:1: “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.” This verse is usually quoted after we say something like, “Well you know what? I don’t think that is right.”
This verse, however, is not telling us that we should not make judgments, because in other passages we read that as believers, we are indeed to make evaluations, to be discerning, and yes— to even make judgments. In fact, the Bible asks, “Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves?” (1 Corinthians 6:2). We are also told in Scripture that “judgment must begin with God’s household” (1 Peter 4:17).
— 1 Peter 4:17
We are to judge, but we are not to condemn. In fact, a better translation of Matthew 7:1 would be: “Do not condemn others, and you will not be condemned.” I am in no position to condemn a person. But I am in a position to make judgments about things, situations, viewpoints, and even about people to some degree.
“Don’t judge!” is said by people who don’t like it when we dare to have a Christian worldview. In fact, I have found that the most narrow-minded people are those who claim to be the most broad-minded. Those who claim to be the most accepting are often the least accepting. Because when a Christian has an opinion, a nonbeliever will say, “How dare you say that! Who are you to judge?”
There is a living God, and He has revealed himself in the pages of Scripture. Therefore, as believers, we accept the fact that we have absolute truth from God. And we develop our worldview from what the Bible teaches.
Greg Laurie is head pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. Greg has written dozens of books on Christian Living and has preached the Word of God all over the world. After you read some of his work or listen to a pod cast or two you will see why I say “it never stops amazing me how often he hits the nail right on my head.”
You can find the link to Pastor Greg’s blog in the recommended Resources listings.
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#1 | Comment #1795 by Victor Manuel Castro Chinchilla on November 16, 2010 @ 4:40 am
A well marked tendency in man is looking for a culprit of everything that happens especially when something is related to us. This guilt that man seeks in others, is an image of his own error and when the man points to someone as guilty is a sign that the real culprit is himself.
Jesus showed us this great truth when he said: Luke 6:42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck that is in your eye, you look not the beam that is in thine own eye? Hypocrite, first take the beam out of thine own eye, and you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in thy brother’s eye.