The Measure of Judgment

1. The Foundation (Introduction)

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

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 7:1–2)

“Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

(John 7:24)

“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.”

(Romans 2:1, NKJV)

The central theme in these lyrics and scriptures is the measure of judgment. The Bible sets forth a solemn spiritual law: the standard you apply to others is the standard that will be applied to you. This is not a suggestion. It is a kingdom principle, established by Jesus Himself and reaffirmed by the apostle Paul.

Many believers misunderstand this area. Some quote “Do not judge” to forbid all moral discernment. Others swing to the opposite extreme and live in constant criticism, suspicion, and condemnation of others. Both are errors. Jesus does not abolish judgment; He defines the measure and manner in which it must be exercised.

Let us look at what the Word of God says, and then submit our own hearts to that Word. Because the way you judge will shape:

2. The Historical & Biblical Context

### Matthew 7:1–2 – The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7 is part of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is speaking to His disciples and the surrounding crowd. He is not addressing pagans, but those who claim to follow God. In Matthew 5–7, He exposes the inner attitudes of the heart: anger, lust, hypocrisy, self-righteousness, anxiety, and unreality.

When Jesus says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” He is confronting the Pharisaic spirit that had pervaded Israel: outward religiosity combined with inner hardness, pride, and criticism. These men were experts in judging others while excusing themselves. Jesus is saying: *The measure you use on others will come back upon you.*

Notice, He immediately explains what He means:

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” This is not a vague moral principle. It is a spiritual law of reciprocity.

### John 7:24 – Righteous Judgment vs. Superficial Judgment

In John 7, Jesus is in Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles. There is controversy. The Jewish leaders are offended at Him because He healed a man on the Sabbath (John 5) and told him to carry his mat. They accuse Him of breaking the Law. Jesus exposes their hypocrisy: they themselves circumcise on the Sabbath to keep the Law of Moses, yet condemn Him for making a man completely whole.

Then He says:

“Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24, KJV).

Here Jesus is not forbidding judgment. He is commanding right judgment—judgment that is just, spiritual, and aligned with God’s perspective, not based on superficial appearances, traditions, or partiality.

### Romans 2:1 – The Hypocritical Judge

In Romans 1, Paul describes the sin and depravity of the Gentile world. Then in Romans 2, he turns to the religious person—the Jew who boasts in the Law. He says:

“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things” (Romans 2:1, NKJV).

Paul’s point is not that every sin is identical in outward form, but that the same root of sin lies in the heart of the one who judges. The religious critic condemns others for idolatry, impurity, and arrogance, but in a more respectable form he does the same: he replaces God with self, truth with lies, and bows to his own pride and religious performance.

So we must picture the scene:

This is where many believers stand today: outwardly moral, inwardly critical, and under a spiritual law that says, “The measure you use will be measured back to you.”

3. Word Study (Hebrew/Greek)

### 1. “Judge” – Greek: *krinō* (κρίνω)

The main word used in these passages (Matthew 7:1, John 7:24, Romans 2:1) is *krinō*. It has a broad range of meanings:

Context determines whether *krinō* refers to discernment (which is commanded) or condemnation (which is often forbidden).

In Matthew 7:1:

“Do not judge [*mē krinete*]” – here, the emphasis is on a condemning, self-righteous attitude that sets oneself up as the standard and executioner.

In John 7:24:

“Judge [*krinete*] righteous judgment” – here, Jesus requires *krinō*: proper, just evaluation, aligned with God’s standard, not with human appearance.

In Romans 2:1:

“Whoever you are who judge [*krinōn*] … you condemn yourself” – here, the judging is hypocritical condemnation. The person declares guilt on others while being guilty himself.

So, Scripture does not say, “Never evaluate, never discern.” It forbids unrighteous *krinō* and demands righteous *krinō*.

This is crucial for the lyrics:

“Do not judge—

you will not be judged.”

It is not an invitation to moral blindness, but a warning against condemning others from a heart that does not fear God and does not see itself in the light of the same standard.

### 2. “Measure” – Greek: *metron* (μέτρον)

In Matthew 7:2:

“With the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

The word is *metron*, from which we get the English “meter,” “measure.” It speaks of:

Jesus is saying: the standard, the intensity, and the method you apply to others is the very same standard God will use toward you. If your *metron* is harsh, suspicious, unforgiving, and exacting, that is the *metron* that heaven records for use in dealing with you.

This connects immediately to other kingdom principles:

There is a spiritual “measuring system” at work. Every believer is daily setting their own future experience of mercy or judgment by the *metron* they are using on others.

4. Theological Exposition (Stanza by Stanza)

### Stanza 1

“Do not judge,

or you too will be judged.”

This is a direct quotation of Matthew 7:1. The Lord is not primarily speaking about the last judgment at this point (though that is in view). He is speaking of an ongoing principle in the way God governs His people.

There are at least three levels at which this principle functions:

1. In your fellowship with God now

A critical, condemning attitude grieves the Holy Spirit. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God… Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice” (Ephesians 4:30–31). When you live in judgment, inner darkness enters. You lose joy, peace, sensitivity to God’s presence.

2. In your relationships

What you sow into others returns to you. Suspicion breeds suspicion. Harsh words provoke harsh words. When you constantly fault-find, you will attract the same behavior from others, including your own children.

3. At the judgment seat of Christ

Believers will stand before Christ and give account (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10–12). The degree to which we demanded perfection of others, while excusing ourselves, will come back upon us.

So this opening line should provoke holy fear. Not fear of men, but fear of God. Every thought, every comment, every social media post that passes judgment is sowing into our own future experience with God.

### Stanza 2

“For in the same way you judge others,

you will be judged,

and with the measure you use,

it will be measured to you.”

Here Jesus Himself explains the “how” of the previous warning. It is reciprocal and precise:

Scripture interprets Scripture:

There is a spiritual “tape measure” in your hand. Every time you:

You extend a certain *metron* over that person. Scripture says that same *metron* is being marked in heaven as the standard by which you will be treated.

This should drive us to repentance and to a radical change in speech and attitude.

### Stanza 3

“Judge not according to appearance,

but judge righteous judgment.”

Here the balance of Scripture appears. Jesus does not instruct us to abandon judgment altogether. He commands right judgment.

“Appearance” in John 7:24 is the Greek *opsis*—what is seen externally. Human beings are quickly impressed or repelled by what is outward: style, background, culture, reputation, outward success. God’s Word says:

“Righteous judgment” means:

1. Judgment based on God’s revealed standard in Scripture, not my preferences.

“Your Word is truth” (John 17:17).

2. Judgment made in the fear of the Lord, not fear of man.

“He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge” (Isaiah 11:3–4, speaking of the Messiah).

3. Judgment carried out in love and humility, not superiority.

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).

To “judge righteous judgment” means you do not close your eyes to sin, error, or danger. You discern it, name it, and sometimes confront it—but doing so conscious that you are under the same Word, the same scrutiny, the same need of mercy as the person you evaluate.

### Stanza 4

“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man,

whoever you are who judge,

for in whatever you judge another

you condemn yourself,

for you who judge practice the same things.”

Paul lays bare the psychology and spirituality of the condemning heart:

This does not necessarily mean that if you condemn adultery, you are committing the physical act. But you share the same nature: lust in your heart (Matthew 5:27–28), unfaithfulness to God, covenant-breaking in other areas. If you condemn idolatry in paganism, you may be worshiping your own comfort, ministry, reputation—idols of the heart (Ezekiel 14:3–5).

The hypocritical judge pretends to be above the sin he condemns. The righteous judge recognizes:

“I am made of the same material. If God does not keep me, I will fall in the same way or worse.”

That recognition kills pride. It produces meekness. It removes the sting of condemnation, while still allowing clear moral judgment according to Scripture.

### Stanza 5

“Do not judge—

you will not be judged.

For in the same way you judge others,

you will be judged,

and with the measure you use,

it will be measured to you.”

The lyrics return to Matthew 7 to reinforce the law of reciprocity in judgment. This echoes another crucial New Testament truth: you reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7–8).

In the context of judgment, that means:

There is also an element of spiritual warfare here. A critical, judgmental spirit is often an access point for the enemy. When you regularly accuse others, you are unknowingly aligning yourself with the name and nature of Satan—*ho diabolos*, “the accuser.” Revelation 12:10 calls him “the accuser of our brethren.”

If you habitually take up the role of accuser, do not be surprised when accusation, shame, and condemnation harass your own mind. The enemy attacks along the very same lines you have used against others.

On the other hand, when you choose mercy, intercession, and constructive truth-telling in love, you align yourself with the ministry of Jesus, who “ever lives to make intercession” (Hebrews 7:25) and who did not come “to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17).

5. Practical Application: How to Walk This Out

This teaching is not theoretical. It demands practical response. Here are four steps you can take.

### 1. Examine Your Measure

First, we must honestly face the *metron* we are using.

Write some of those phrases down if needed. Then bring them before God and recognize:

“Lord, this is the measure I have been using. According to Your Word, this is what returns to me, unless I repent.”

This is not to condemn you, but to bring you into the light so that God can cleanse and reset your measure.

### 2. Repent of Unrighteous Judgment

Second, we must repent—not only of the words we have spoken, but of the posture of heart that has set itself up as judge.

Repentance means:

Break agreement with the accuser. Say something like:

“Lord, I renounce every alliance with a critical, condemning spirit. I break partnership with accusation. I ask You to wash me in the blood of Jesus from all unrighteous judgment.”

God is faithful to cleanse when we confess (1 John 1:9). But He cleanses what we bring into the light.

### 3. Embrace Righteous Judgment and Discernment

Third, we must not swing into passivity. Righteous judgment is still required.

Jesus Himself in Matthew 7 goes on to say:

The order is crucial:

1. Judge yourself by the Word of God.

“If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31).

2. Having received mercy and correction, you can now help others without condemnation, but with clarity and authority.

Train yourself to say:

“I will evaluate according to Scripture, but I will not condemn the person. I will fear God, not man, and I will remember I am under the same Word.”

### 4. Choose Mercy as Your Default Measure

Finally, we must consciously choose mercy as our ongoing *metron*.

James 2:13 says:

“Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

This does not mean mercy ignores sin. It means mercy looks at sin through the cross, through the possibility of restoration, not destruction.

Deliberately say:

“I choose mercy. I choose to sow what I want to reap from God.”

Over time, this transforms your inner climate. You become safer for others, and you find that the accusatory voices in your own mind begin to lose their power.

6. A Proclamation & Prayer

### Proclamation

Say this aloud, thoughtfully and in faith:

“I receive the Word of Jesus:

‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

For in the same way I judge others, I will be judged,

and with the measure I use, it will be measured to me.’

I renounce all unrighteous judgment,

all condemnation, all hypocrisy, all pride.

I refuse to judge by appearance.

I choose to judge righteous judgment,

according to the Word of God, in the fear of the Lord,

with humility and love.

I acknowledge that I am made of the same material as those I have judged.

I lay down my right to condemn.

I choose mercy, because I need mercy.

I choose forgiveness, because I need forgiveness.

I break agreement with the accuser of the brethren.

I align myself with Jesus, my Advocate and Intercessor.

From this day, by the grace of God,

the measure I use will be mercy, truth, and love.

And I trust that with this same measure,

it will be measured back to me.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.”

### Prayer

“Father, in the name of Jesus, I bring my heart under the scrutiny of Your Word. You have said that with the measure I use, it will be measured to me. I confess that I have often judged others unrighteously, according to appearance, according to my pride, according to partial knowledge.

Forgive me for every word, every thought, every attitude of condemnation. Wash me in the blood of Jesus. Cleanse my lips, cleanse my mind, cleanse my heart.

Holy Spirit, expose any root of bitterness, criticism, or self-righteousness in me. Give me a tender heart that trembles at Your Word. Teach me to judge myself first by the standard of Scripture, that I may not come under judgment.

Grant me discernment to see sin and error clearly, and love to deal with it righteously. Make mercy my measure. Make intercession my instinct. Make humility my posture.

I submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ over my tongue, my thoughts, and my relationships. Let the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set me free from every cycle of accusation and condemnation. I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.”

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