When Judging is Right

In Matthew 7:1 Jesus said "Do not judge, so that you will not be judged." So, does this mean we are never supposed to judge? We have an answer in John 7:24 where Jesus says, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." We are not to judge wrongly, but we are instructed to judge rightly. We judge wrongly when we do not have clear evidence of sin, when we base it on appearances rather than truth. 1 Timothy 5:24-25 explains that some sins and good works are evident, some are not. If we condemn someone for something we also have done, we are judging wrongly (Rom. 2:1-3). We are to exercise the mercy rule, as Luke 6:36-38 explains. If it is a matter of opinion, it is wrng to judge (Rom. 14:1-4, 10-3). When we do not extend mercy we take God's place (James 4:11-12). That's why Jesus said in Matthew 12:7, "If you have understood what this means, 'I desire mercy rather than sacrifice', you would not have condemned the innocent." There is a careful balance we must keep. Many times Matthew 7:24 is quoted by those who don't want their evil deeds won't be exposed. Paul said in 1 Cor. 5:9-12, to remove the wicked from among the fellowship. Some examples of righteous judgment are: 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; 1 Tim. 6:2-5 and Romans 16:17-18.