Judge not, that ye be not judged. ² For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (Matthew 7:1-2 KJV)

These may well be the most ignored words of our Master Yeshua in all of scripture.  They may also be the most misunderstood words in all of scripture as well.  To truly understand these words we must understand what it means to be a disciple.

 A “student” is a person who studies for the purpose of gaining knowledge.  A “student” will seek out information from various teachers and sources.  A “student” gleans knowledge and information from various sources and then forms a personal understanding, philosophy, or ideology. A “student” seeks to improve, promote, and advance him or herself.  We are all, at various points in our lives, students seeking knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that we may be a better person. There is nothing wrong with being a student.  In fact, improving oneself can be a great virtue. 

A “disciple,” however, is not the same as a student.  A “disciple” is one who has been convicted of the truth of a particular teacher.  A “disciple” dedicates himself completely to his teacher.  A “disciple” seeks to learn everything about his teacher.  A “disciple” lives not to promote himself but his teacher.  A “disciple” is not concerned with formulating personal opinions, philosophies, or ideologies.  A “disciple” concerns himself with advancing the teachings of his teacher.  A “disciple” is not looking to honor himself, but to bring honor to his teacher.  The disciple gives his life completely to the work and words of his teacher. 

Yeshua is the greatest example of what a “disciple” is.  Yeshua did not come to do his own will.  Yeshua did not teach his own opinions or thoughts.  Yeshua was a disciple of the Father.  He came only to do the Father’s will and work. 

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (John 6:38 KJV)

Yeshua answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (John 7:16 KJV)

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29 KJV)

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (John 9:4 KJV)

As a disciple of the Father, Yeshua judges no one.

Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. ¹⁶ And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. (John 8:15-16 KJV)

And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. (John 12:47 KJV)

Here the Master declares that he did not come to judge, and that he judged no man.  But these words seem to contradict our Master’s words as he vehemently judged the Pharisees and the Sadducees for their arrogance, spiritual pride and “letter of the law” teachings. How can we reconcile the Master’s words with his actions?  The answer is quite simple.  Let us look at a few more of Yeshua’s teachings on the matter.

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30 KJV)

I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. (John 8:26 KJV)

And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. (John 8:50 KJV)

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:48 KJV)

Here we see the principle that our Master is trying to teach us.  Yeshua did not of his own will, thoughts, or reason judge anyone.  Yeshua was not the judge.  Yeshua was merely the disciple sent to report the judgment of the Father.  In other words, within the Torah are the instructions, revelations, statutes, ordinances, distinctions, commandments, and judgments of the Sovereign One.  YHWH has already revealed his just judgments.  As disciples we are neither free to judge for ourselves, nor to raise up other standards by which to judge people.  As disciples we are not to speak our own thoughts, ideas, or judgments about other people, especially not our fellow disciples.  Yeshua did not create his own guidelines to judge others.  Neither should we be creating new guidelines of judgment for our brethren.  Our brethren, or even unbelievers, do not need to live by our standards.  We are not the judge.  YHWH is the judge.  YHWH has already declared his judgments.  Now we must simply bring our lives into submission to the Sovereign One’s judgments.  We see the principle of our Master in the writings of the Apostles.

Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. (Romans 14:3 KJV)

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Messiah. (Romans 14:10 KJV)

Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. (Romans 14:13 KJV)

In the verses above Shaul is addressing the issue of meat offered to idols.  The new convert from idolatry refuses to eat the meat sacrificed to idols.  The long time believer recognizes that idols are nothing and therefore eats the meat as if it has been simply butchered.  Since YHWH has, through Messiah, accepted both of these brethren, then there is no need for one to judge the other. Both have already been justified by YHWH through Messiah.

The Apostle James also writes on this matter of judging one another.

Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (James 4:11 KJV)

Here our brother James is teaching us, that if YHWH has already judged a brother acceptable, but we are rejecting our brother based upon what our personal standards are, then we are not only judging our brother, we are judging YHWH’S law as well.  Once we become the judge of YHWH’S judgments we put ourselves in a place of judging YHWH.  This is a dangerous place to be!  We should remember the words of our Master Yeshua, 

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. ²⁵ It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord… (Matthew 10:24-25 KJV)

The Apostle Shaul likewise encourages us to study the Torah, learn the judgments of YHWH and then apply them to our selves instead of our brethren!

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:31 KJV)

Again, we must be careful, that we are not holding others accountable to our own standards, or even to our own understanding of YHWH’S standards.  This was the sin of the Pharisees who sought to keep the very letter of the Torah to the nth degree and judged others for failing to do so.  We may do well to recall Yeshua’s parable of the Pharisee and the publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. ¹² I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. ¹³ And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 18:11-14 KJV)

Note that while the Pharisee did indeed keep the letter of the Torah he failed miserably in keeping the spirit of the Torah. 

But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Luke 11:42 KJV)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Matthew 23:23 KJV)

The warning against judging others does not mean that we ignore or tolerate blatant error, or that we overlook our brother’s grievous transgressions.  It does mean, however, that we must exercise great caution in our judgment.  First, it means that we must study the Torah to know and understand what the judgment of YHWH is on a particular matter.  Second, we must make sure that we ourselves understand and are fulfilling not just the letter of the Torah but the spirit of the Torah in the manner that we are approaching our brother.  Third, we must be sure that we are not establishing our own standard, opinion, and law.  Fourth, we must look at our brother and discern whether YHWH has already judged or forgiven him?  Fifth, we may ask what does the Master want us to speak to our brother and how does he want us to speak it?  We must be careful that we are not judging a brother on our own, out of our own emotions, or by our own authority.  One must pray ardently for confirmation that the judgment we speak is, in fact, from the heart of the Father, in the spirit of the Father, by the authority of the Father.  If it is not, then we should say nothing and take the matter to the cross!   It is better to let YHWH judge his people.  It is unfortunate that we so often want to play lawmaker, judge, jury, witness and executioner when it comes to our weaker brethren. But we would do better to follow our Master’s example and let YHWH be the judge.

 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: (Luke 6:37 KJV)