Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged
Nov 30, 2022
If you interviewed anyone on the street and asked what the most famous Bible is you would probably get a large percentage to say John 3:16 yet this is not the verse you hear quoted most often. Matthew 7:1 gets used on a daily basis and is quoted by Christians and non-Christians alike. And while I'm all for people quoting and using Scripture in their daily lives there is probably no other verse in the Bible that is as misused as this one. Matthew 7:1 says (in the New King James version):
Judge not, that you be not judged.
When most people quote this verse they are asking someone not to pass judgement on them for something they have thought, said, or done. The basic sentiment is I can think, say or do whatever I want and you can't judge or hold me accountable for it because the Bible tells you not to judge others. But is that really what the verse is saying?
Lets take a look at the verse in the New Living Translation.
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.
Okay a little clearer but lets keep reading. What does the next verse say? because context is everything