If you refuse to judge, then God won't judge on your behalf either.

[Chrysostomos]

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
(Matthew 7:1-2)

The masses of so-called Christians take this to mean: don't judge anyone, and God won't judge you—He'll just justify you.
Is that right?

But this stick has two ends. If you refuse to judge, then God won't judge on your behalf either.

Fake Christians think it's great if God doesn't judge.

But! When you're the victim—robbed, beaten, or your kids murdered—then God won't intervene between you and your attackers.
That's exactly what it means: with the same judgment you judge, you will be judged; with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

In other words: don't judge? Then no justice for you against those who wrong you. Criminals do whatever they want, and you get zero recourse.

Bottom line: Jesus isn't saying don't judge. He's saying you must judge—and the standard you set is the one God will use on you.
But judging is mandatory.

In essence, Jesus is echoing:

Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.
(Jeremiah 22:3)

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? declares the Lord.
(Jeremiah 22:16)

Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.
(Psalm 82:3-4)

Conclusion: refuse to judge, and you get no judgment from God—and that's terribly bad.
Final point: the broad masses of fake Christians have twisted Scripture and Truth here too—exactly backwards.

 

[Bob]

Thank you for your post.

Where is it written that if you do not judge, then God won’t judge on your behalf either?

Here is additional scripture on judging, which is crucially important if a community of the faithful is going to survive:

15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Mathew 18)

For an example, see 1 Corinthians 5.

Peace

 

[Chrysostomos]

@Bob
On your question—“Where is it written that if you do not judge, then God won’t judge on your behalf either?”—I already answered it in the original post. Questions usually come before answers, not after the answer’s already been given.

Jesus Himself provides an exception even for personal enemies.

In Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV), He instructs that if a brother sins against you and refuses to repent, even after church intervention, "treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."
Tax collectors, though Jewish, were collaborators with Rome, treated as outsiders, not personal enemies to be loved or fed.
Thus, Jesus explicitly allows us to treat an unrepentant fellow believer who sins against us personally as an external enemy, not requiring love or kindness.

Read more in the topic: "Do Not Murder vs. You Must Kill: Understanding 'Kill' and 'Murder' in Biblical Commands"

 

[lforrest]

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
(Matthew 7:1-2)

The masses of so-called Christians take this to mean: don't judge anyone, and God won't judge you—He'll just justify you.
Is that right?

But this stick has two ends. If you refuse to judge, then God won't judge on your behalf either.

Fake Christians think it's great if God doesn't judge.

But! When you're the victim—robbed, beaten, or your kids murdered—then God won't intervene between you and your attackers.
That's exactly what it means: with the same judgment you judge, you will be judged; with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

In other words: don't judge? Then no justice for you against those who wrong you. Criminals do whatever they want, and you get zero recourse.

Bottom line: Jesus isn't saying don't judge. He's saying you must judge—and the standard you set is the one God will use on you.
But judging is mandatory.

In essence, Jesus is echoing:

Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.
(Jeremiah 22:3)

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? declares the Lord.
(Jeremiah 22:16)

Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.
(Psalm 82:3-4)

Conclusion: refuse to judge, and you get no judgment from God—and that's terribly bad.
Final point: the broad masses of fake Christians have twisted Scripture and Truth here too—exactly backwards.

The whole point was to encourage forgiveness in his followers. God hates Hypocrisy, If we are going to be forgiven for our many sins how can we withhold our forgiveness of others?

God has told us that vengeance belongs to him. We should not take it for ourselves. What business is God's judgement to us, do we hold him to account?

Rather, if you retaliate against others I would say God's justice should be reduced in proportion to the measure you have taken for yourself. And let that be a comfort to you when you're both burning in hell.

 

[Chrysostomos]

@lforrest
Romans 12:19
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”(KJV)

The masses take this to mean: don’t take revenge on criminals—let God sort them out Himself.

But Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 32:35:
"Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, in due time their foot will slip; for the day of their calamity is near, and the impending things are hastening upon them.”

Read the context of the original. In Deuteronomy 32, Israel had turned to other gods and allowed rampant wickedness in their midst. That’s what God is threatening to avenge—their failure to enforce the Law.

So what does “avenge not yourselves” mean in Romans 12:19?
Does it mean sit back, don’t punish criminals, and wait for God to zap them?
No. The Israelites didn’t punish evildoers. They tolerated gross sin. And that’s exactly why God said He’d take vengeance—on them.

In other words: you must punish criminals.
If you don’t, and God has to step in with vengeance, He’ll make an example of everyone—and nobody will walk away unscathed.

 

[Muna]

This is what we are to execute

Zech 7:9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment,
and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother

James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy;
and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

And He himself reccompenses, or avenges as far as wrong doings of others

 

[lforrest]

@lforrest
Romans 12:19
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”(KJV)

The masses take this to mean: don’t take revenge on criminals—let God sort them out Himself.

But Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 32:35:
"Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, in due time their foot will slip; for the day of their calamity is near, and the impending things are hastening upon them.”

Read the context of the original. In Deuteronomy 32, Israel had turned to other gods and allowed rampant wickedness in their midst. That’s what God is threatening to avenge—their failure to enforce the Law.

So what does “avenge not yourselves” mean in Romans 12:19?
Does it mean sit back, don’t punish criminals, and wait for God to zap them?
No. The Israelites didn’t punish evildoers. They tolerated gross sin. And that’s exactly why God said He’d take vengeance—on them.

In other words: you must punish criminals.
If you don’t, and God has to step in with vengeance, He’ll make an example of everyone—and nobody will walk away unscathed.

Governing powers are also appointed to punish wrongdoing. This is a third party, not the victim, and not God. They should judge in accordance with the law. A desire for mercy from a victim should not absolve criminals for breaking the law.

 

[marks]

Deuteronomy 32:41-44 KJV
41) If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
42) I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.
43) Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.
44) And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun.

Much love!

 

[Jay Ross]

@marks a better rendering of Deuteronomy 32:39-47 is: -

39 'Now see that I, even I, am He,
And there is no God besides Me;
I kill and I make alive;
I wound and I heal;
Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
40 For I raise My hand to heaven,
And say, "As I live forever,
41 If I whet My glittering sword,
And My hand takes hold on judgment,
I will render vengeance to My enemies,
And repay those who hate Me.
42 I will make My arrows drunk with blood,
And My sword shall devour flesh,
With the blood of the slain and the captives,
From the heads of the leaders of the enemy."'

43 "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people;
For He will avenge the blood of His servants,
And render vengeance to His adversaries;
He will provide atonement for His fertile field and His people."​

44 So Moses came with Joshua the son of Nun and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people. 45 Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, 46 and he said to them: "Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe — all the words of this law. 47 For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the fertile field which you cross over the Jordan to possess."​

Please note that the above translation is basically NKJV but the translation of H:0127, which has a meaning of soil, I am suggesting should be rendered as "fertile field", in keeping with Jesus' parable of the Sower.

 

[marks]

@marks a better rendering of Deuteronomy 32:39-47 is: -

39 'Now see that I, even I, am He,
And there is no God besides Me;
I kill and I make alive;
I wound and I heal;
Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.
40 For I raise My hand to heaven,
And say, "As I live forever,
41 If I whet My glittering sword,
And My hand takes hold on judgment,
I will render vengeance to My enemies,
And repay those who hate Me.
42 I will make My arrows drunk with blood,
And My sword shall devour flesh,
With the blood of the slain and the captives,
From the heads of the leaders of the enemy."'

43 "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people;
For He will avenge the blood of His servants,
And render vengeance to His adversaries;
He will provide atonement for His fertile field and His people."​

44 So Moses came with Joshua the son of Nun and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people. 45 Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, 46 and he said to them: "Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe — all the words of this law. 47 For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the fertile field which you cross over the Jordan to possess."​

Please note that the above translation is basically NKJV but the translation of H:0127, which has a meaning of soil, I am suggesting should be rendered as "fertile field", in keeping with Jesus' parable of the Sower.

I think I'll stick with the King James over your modifications of the Bible.

Much love!

 

[marks]

Governing powers are also appointed to punish wrongdoing. This is a third party, not the victim, and not God. They should judge in accordance with the law. A desire for mercy from a victim should not absolve criminals for breaking the law.

I think the real heart of the matter is the feeling of veangeance in our hearts, anger and bitterness and the urge to retaliate. The flesh can be truly ugly in it's desire to hurt others, and can find a million ways to justify that desire. If we are walking in the Spirit, we will not fulfill those desires.

Much love!

 

[The Learner]

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
(Matthew 7:1-2)

The masses of so-called Christians take this to mean: don't judge anyone, and God won't judge you—He'll just justify you.
Is that right?

But this stick has two ends. If you refuse to judge, then God won't judge on your behalf either.

Fake Christians think it's great if God doesn't judge.

But! When you're the victim—robbed, beaten, or your kids murdered—then God won't intervene between you and your attackers.
That's exactly what it means: with the same judgment you judge, you will be judged; with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

In other words: don't judge? Then no justice for you against those who wrong you. Criminals do whatever they want, and you get zero recourse.

Bottom line: Jesus isn't saying don't judge. He's saying you must judge—and the standard you set is the one God will use on you.
But judging is mandatory.

In essence, Jesus is echoing:

Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.
(Jeremiah 22:3)

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? declares the Lord.
(Jeremiah 22:16)

Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.
(Psalm 82:3-4)

Conclusion: refuse to judge, and you get no judgment from God—and that's terribly bad.
Final point: the broad masses of fake Christians have twisted Scripture and Truth here too—exactly backwards.

1 Corinthians 5:13
EasyEnglish Bible
13 It is not right for me to decide about people who do not belong to the church group. God will judge those people. But you should decide what is right for the people who do belong to your group. Do what the Bible says:

‘Send the bad person away from among yourselves.’[a]

Read full chapter
Footnotes
5:12-13 See Deuteronomy 13:5; 17:7,12; 21:21; 22:21-24; Judges 20:13.

 

[Jay Ross]

I think I'll stick with the King James over your modifications of the Bible.

Much love!

Mark, you are welcome to stick with the KJV, but I have pointed out that there are two times that H:0127 is translated as "land" in the verses that I had quoted. This is because of the mistaken belief that God had made a "forever" promise of "land" to Israel, whereas God's promise was for a period of finite time where the end point of that finite time period was beyond Israel's ability to comprehend. The promised land in Genesis 13:14-17, which was also described in Genesis 15:17-21, was a sign covenant, that when Israel had dominion/possession over that prescribed land, that they would know from that time, having possession over the prescribed land, even for a short time period, would confirm that at some time in the future, they would be given possession of the whole earth.

Mark, in Genesis 12:3, God tells Abraham that his descendants would be a blessing to all of the people who are found taking nourishment from His fertile soil. The understanding of "land" is too broad in that it encompasses sandy deserts, rocky ground, swamps etc., whereas when God scatters the seed the if that seed takes root in His prepared fertile soil, and take their nourishment directly from God's fertile soil that they would be blessed and found in the Book of Life.

Contextual accuracy of H:0127 in translation is important for us as translating H:0127 as "land" in Deu 32:37-49 does not give us the actual intent of God's message through Moses to the nation of Israel.

Shalom

 

[The Learner]

here please pray all

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

Jesus isn't saying don't judge. He's saying you must judge—and the standard you set is the one God will use on you.
But judging is mandatory

No. This not about God's judgment, it's a basic principle of how He wants us to live. To love one another, forgive, have mercy. And this co icides with " what you sow is what you reap"( Gal. 6:7). If you lack mercy and forgiveness and instead judge harshly, life is going to come at you with the same measure of unforgiveness, lack of mercy and harshness. It's the law of reciprocity.
In context the principle in Matt 7:2 is expanded in Matt. 7:12 contains the golden rule. And of course the whole context begins earlier with the Sermon on the Mt., which teaches us how we should live and love eachother.

 

[Chrysostomos]

Governing powers are also appointed to punish wrongdoing. This is a third party, not the victim, and not God. They should judge in accordance with the law. A desire for mercy from a victim should not absolve criminals for breaking the law.

I fully agree that governing authorities are God’s appointed means to punish wrongdoing (Romans 13:1-4). They’re a critical part of upholding justice, and a victim’s personal mercy shouldn’t override legal consequences. My point, though, isn’t about victims taking vengeance but about the broader necessity of judgment at all levels.

People judge every day—whether it’s supporting one side over another on a forum like this or calling out wrong in their communities. It’s human nature to discern and act on what’s right or wrong. You can’t avoid judging, and trying to do so under a misreading of “judge not, lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1-2) often becomes an excuse to let evil slide. In practice, I’ve seen this verse weaponized to silence the good, to make righteousness passive, and to enable lawlessness.

That’s exactly what happened in Deuteronomy 32:35. Israel didn’t judge sin—didn’t uphold the Law—and that’s why God said, “Vengeance is Mine.” He wasn’t promising to clean up their mess; He was warning He’d judge everyone for letting wickedness fester. If we—individuals, communities, or authorities—fail to judge justly, we invite the kind of divine wrath that spares no one.
So, yes, authorities must judge according to law. But on every level, refusing to judge at all encourages the very lawlessness that forces God’s hand. That’s the danger of twisting Scripture to avoid judgment altogether.

 

[Chrysostomos]

This is what we are to execute

Zech 7:9 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment,
and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother

James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy;
and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

And He himself reccompenses, or avenges as far as wrong doings of others

Mercy should guide how we judge, not whether we judge. It’s about fairness, not letting criminals off the hook. If we let “mercy” become a loophole for wickedness, we’re back to the same problem: tolerating sin, which God won’t abide.

 

[Chrysostomos]

Deuteronomy 32:41-44 KJV
41) If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
42) I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.
43) Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.
44) And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun.

Much love!

Deuteronomy 32:41-44 drives home the point perfectly: when judgment fails on our end, God takes up His “glittering sword” and delivers vengeance Himself. That’s not a soft pat on the wrist—it’s a devastating reckoning, as verses 41-42 make clear with blood-soaked imagery. Verse 43 shows God avenging His servants’ blood, which ties directly to my argument: if we don’t judge and confront evil—whether through authorities or by calling out sin in our communities—we’re inviting God’s wrath on everyone.

This is why twisting “judge not” (Matthew 7:1-2) to mean “ignore sin” is so dangerous. It’s not just passivity; it’s enabling lawlessness, which forces God’s hand, as you’ve shown with these verses.

Refusing to judge doesn’t protect us—it guarantees the kind of divine judgment where “nobody walks away unscathed.” We’re called to judge justly (Zechariah 7:9) to prevent that outcome.

 

[Chrysostomos]

I think the real heart of the matter is the feeling of veangeance in our hearts, anger and bitterness and the urge to retaliate. The flesh can be truly ugly in it's desire to hurt others, and can find a million ways to justify that desire. If we are walking in the Spirit, we will not fulfill those desires.

Much love!

Here’s the flip side: refusing to judge at all, as many misinterpret Matthew 7:1-2, isn’t walking in the Spirit either—it’s enabling lawlessness. God appointed governing authorities to punish wrongdoing, and we’re called to judge justly (Zechariah 7:9). When we twist “judge not” to mean “ignore sin,” we let evil fester, and that’s when God steps in with the kind of vengeance described in Deuteronomy 32:41-44—where nobody escapes the consequences.

 

[Chrysostomos]

1 Corinthians 5:13
EasyEnglish Bible
13 It is not right for me to decide about people who do not belong to the church group. God will judge those people. But you should decide what is right for the people who do belong to your group. Do what the Bible says:

‘Send the bad person away from among yourselves.’[a]

Read full chapter
Footnotes
5:12-13 See Deuteronomy 13:5; 17:7,12; 21:21; 22:21-24; Judges 20:13.

1 Corinthians 5:13 nails it: the church must judge its own to maintain holiness and order. Paul’s clear—deal with sin in the community, or you’re complicit in letting it spread. That’s exactly what I’m getting at with Matthew 7:1-2. People who twist “judge not” to mean “ignore sin” are enabling lawlessness, whether in the church or society. As you’ve shown, Scripture doesn’t let us off the hook; we’re called to judge rightly, like expelling the unrepentant to protect the body (Deuteronomy 17:7).

This ties back to Deuteronomy 32:35—when we fail to judge, whether in the church or through authorities, we’re inviting God’s vengeance.