This is probably the favorite of verse of those who don’t like the church…
Judge not lest ye be judged
But Jesus’ point was not to simply “not judge ever,” but to do so realizing. He always takes a closer, deeper, more intimate view of YOU than the one you are trying to knock down a peg.
Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. (the Message)
As believers, we are supposed to be discerning, and we are supposed to hold other believers to account, but not with a critical spirit. We are called to make judgments (based on God’s word) to help fellow believers (in love) become more Christlike. Our judgment is not for the outside world, but for those in the church (cf. 1Cor 5)
Shorter: Just don’t be a jerk 🙂
