Doesn’t the Bible Say “Judge Not?” Chip & Joanna Think So
Recently, Chip and Joanna Gaines said, “Doesn’t the Bible say ‘judge not’; who are you to tell people what they can, and cannot do?”
Unfortunately, misrepresentation of this Scripture is common among the media and other groups who often misquote Jesus’ words from Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Ironically, few reference another scripture that also deals with judging, John 7:24. Here Jesus encourages His followers to “judge with righteous judgment.”
There Is No Contradiction
At first, these two scriptures may seem contradictory, but when we look at the context and the true meaning of “judge,” we clearly see that there is no contradiction. This misrepresentation of “judging” is an attempt to conform scripture to support opinions, when, in fact, moral values are designed to conform to scriptural truths. Personal opinions vary—truth does not.
The Scriptures Are Not Choices on a Menu
We tend to pick and choose certain Scriptures as if they were choices on a menu. But we can’t choose those we like and discard the rest. I liken it to someone skimming through the pages of my first book, What Works When 'Diets' Don’t, and reading: “Eat whatever foods you choose.” In its entirety, it actually reads, “If you follow these guidelines, stay within these ranges, and avoid these foods, you can eat whatever foods you choose.”
Reading and following fragments of information can be misleading. If we apply only what we choose, we can easily miss what we need.
We Are Called to Judge & Discern
Judging within the context of Matthew 7:1 refers to the type of judgment that a judge would render in a court of law, such as in Romans 14:4, “Who are you to judge another’s servant?” A judge hears the evidence and pronounces a judgment. We are in no position to do this—we don’t have all the facts. God tells us to leave justice to Him because He is the judge.
In John 7:24, however, Christians are to judge or “call into question” those things that clearly contradict God’s principles. In 1 Corinthians 2:15, the apostle Paul said that those who are spiritual should judge and discern all things.
Cure the Disease First
The famous reformer, John Calvin, commenting on this topic, said, “These words of Christ do not contain an absolute prohibition from judging, but are intended to cure a disease—criticism.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but the conscience of the state.” Serving as the conscience of the people has been one of the primary functions of the church since its conception.
Scripturally, we are commanded to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad, truth and error, light and darkness. We are to judge according to the truth, especially pastors.
Regarding moral issues that destroy lives and dishonor God, we are to judge (“call into question”) behaviors, choices, and lifestyles that lead people in a dangerous direction, especially if these issues are to become social policy and legally sanctioned.
We Need More Prophets and Fewer Puppets
Those who have been called to preach, much like the prophets of old, will confront compromise, condemn social digression, and powerfully denounce sin in the hope of reconciling man to God—they speak the truth in love. However, a spirit of compassion and understanding should move us, not judgmentalism. It’s often not what we say but how we say it that tilts the scale.
Admittedly, I’ve failed in this area because I did not exercise grace at opportune times. We should not excuse sin in exchange for tolerance—extending grace does not mean approving of sinful behavior, but it does mean extending compassion.
Yes, we can definitely judge as long as our heart is right.
*The opinions in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of Crosswalk Headlines.
Published Date: July 18, 2025
Photo Credit: ©Joanna Gaines Facebook
The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.
Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California and the WCF Radio Network. More can be found at ShaneIdleman.com. Free downloads of his eBooks can be found at www.WCFAV.org. Visit him on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to his new podcast, Idleman Unplugged. You can also follow Pastor Shane on the free speech platform Parler.
Originally published July 18, 2025.
