Judging is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the Bible. It’s confusing.

Jesus tells us not to judge.

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
Matthew 7:1-2 (New Living Translation)

Paul says we’ll judge the angels, so judge between yourself.

Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? 1 Corinthians 6:2-4 (New Living Translation)

Jesus says He’ll return to judge the world

But all who reject my message and me will be judged on the Day of Judgment by the truth I have spoken.
John 12:48 (New Living Translation)

But He also says He didn’t come to judge the world, and that He won’t judge those who hear Him but don’t obey Him.

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:17 (New Living Translation)

I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. 
John 12:47 (New Living Translation)

We’re told to test everything and hold to the good.

Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (NIV)

By the same person who after talking about the retrobateness of culture in Romans 1, followed it up with this in Romans 2 -

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
Romans 2:1-4 (New Living Translation)

So with all of this confusion, I find most of us have the same idea about judging -

“You don’t judge me, and I’ll judge you when you deserve it.”

We need a better understanding of judging. We’ll get to that in the next post.