Many people love to say, “The Bible says not to judge,” as if that’s the end of the discussion. But what does the Bible actually say about judgment? It’s true that Scripture warns against certain types of judgment, but it doesn’t mean we’re supposed to abandon discernment. In fact, the Bible calls us to use discernment in all things! There’s a big difference between using discernment and passing hypocritical, self-righteous judgment on others. Let’s dive into what God’s Word really says about judging, discernment, and how we should live that out as Christians.

Let’s start with the famous verse, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). People love to quote this verse when they want to deflect any kind of accountability or correction. But let’s not stop there. Jesus goes on to say, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2). In other words, it’s not the act of judging that’s the problem; it’s the spirit in which you judge! Jesus isn’t saying to never judge—He’s warning against hypocritical, self-righteous judgment.

Jesus uses an example right after this to illustrate the point: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? … You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5). Notice what He’s saying. Deal with your own sin first! Then, you’ll be in a better place to help your brother with his struggles. Jesus isn’t saying, “Mind your own business and don’t ever say anything to anyone about their sin.” He’s saying, “Clean up your own life so you can help others in love and humility.”

Now, here’s where discernment comes into play. Later in that same chapter, Jesus says, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit, you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:15-16). How can we watch out for false prophets if we aren’t using some kind of judgment? We must make discerning decisions about who we listen to, who we follow, and who we allow to influence us. This requires looking at the fruit of people’s lives, ministries, and actions. This is a righteous form of judgment.

John 7:24 makes it even clearer: “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” Jesus is telling us to go beyond the surface level. Don’t make snap judgments based on appearances or rumors; instead, dig deeper and use righteous discernment. This kind of judgment comes from a place of love, humility, and a desire to uphold God’s truth. It’s not about putting ourselves on a pedestal and looking down on others. It’s about staying rooted in the Word of God and using His standards, not our own, to discern right from wrong.

Let’s look at some real-world examples. Say you have a friend who’s caught up in destructive behavior—maybe it’s substance abuse, infidelity, or dishonesty. Now, the Bible clearly outlines these things as sin. But the culture around us loves to say, “Hey, who are you to judge? That’s their life!” Well, as Christians, we’re not judging them to condemn them; we’re judging the behavior to discern whether it aligns with God’s Word. It’s out of love for our friend that we might come alongside them and say, “Hey, this path you’re on isn’t right. Let’s talk about it. Let’s work through it together.” That’s not hypocritical judgment; that’s loving discernment. We’re not condemning the person; we’re addressing the behavior while still loving them and pointing them back to God’s truth.

The Bible also tells us to be cautious about the company we keep. First Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” In other words, use discernment in who you associate with and what behaviors you join in. That’s not to say we cut ourselves off from non-believers; we’re called to be a light in the world. But it does mean we should be careful not to get swept into activities that go against our Christian values. That’s what discernment is all about—choosing what to participate in, who to trust, and how to walk in a way that honors God.

Think about it this way: if you’re invited to a party where you know illegal or immoral activities will take place, the Bible is pretty clear about using discernment here. You’re not sitting in judgment saying, “I’m holier than you, so I’m not going.” Instead, you’re using biblical judgment to decide, “I know that this isn’t a place where God would want me to be.” That’s the kind of judgment we’re called to exercise—not condemning people, but making wise decisions about where we stand and what we stand for.

Let’s not forget what Jesus said in Matthew 18:6: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” The implication here is huge! We have a responsibility to use discernment in how we live so that we don’t cause others to stumble in their faith. When we turn a blind eye to sin or refuse to speak truth in love, we’re failing in that responsibility. However, when we speak up, it should be done with grace and humility, not condemnation. Our goal is to guide others back to the path of righteousness, not to beat them down with self-righteous judgment.

So, when someone says, “The Bible says not to judge,” let’s be clear about what that means. We’re not called to condemn people in a self-righteous way, acting as if we’re the ultimate judge. That’s God’s job. But we are called to use discernment. We’re called to speak truth, correct in love, and make wise decisions about the influences we allow in our lives. There’s a right way to judge: it’s through the lens of Scripture, with a heart of humility, and a desire to point others to the love and grace of Jesus.

In closing, remember that true biblical judgment isn’t about looking down on others; it’s about lifting them up. It’s about recognizing sin, yes, but also offering hope, guidance, and the possibility of transformation through Christ. Let’s commit to being people who exercise discernment, not condemnation, and who use judgment the way God intended—to bring others closer to Him, not to push them away.