Examining misquoted, misused, and misapplied Bible verses.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1).

On July 22, 2018, a 34-year-old man named Eric Stagno walked into Planet Fitness in Plaistow, New Hampshire. He stopped at the front counter, took off all his clothes, and then proceeded to do yoga in the buff. Those exercising at the time were both shocked and disgusted. The police were immediately called.

Upon his arrest, Stagno claimed that he thought he was in a “Judgement Free Zone,” referencing the company’s longtime slogan.

With 1,500 locations and over 10 million members, Planet Fitness is one of the most successful gym franchises in the world. Its claim to be a “Judgement Free Zone” resonates with many people. The pressure of exercising alongside sculpted bodybuilders and embarrassment over their own bodies often keep people from going to the gym.

They feel like they are being judged.

Planet Fitness has found a way to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for the casual gym goer. But, as Eric Stagno found out, it is not a completely judgment-free zone.

Many people today believe the entire world should be a judgment-free zone. “Stay in your own lane,” they tell us. “You worry about you, and I’ll worry about me.” When we Christians today try to talk about sin, our world quickly throws Jesus’ own words back at us, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1).

They make a good argument. Jesus explicitly tells us not to judge. Maybe we should stay in our own lane. Maybe it is none of our business. Maybe we shouldn’t say anything.

We continue our series on the most misused, misunderstood, and misquoted verses of the Bible by looking more closely at Matthew 7:1 about judging.

The immediate context

Matthew chapter 7 is a part of what is called Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In this extended sermon, Jesus taught his disciples about living a life of faith. He contrasted the shallow, judgmental obedience of the Pharisees with the humble, heartfelt service God wants from his children.

The wider context

Matthew chapter 7 is not the only part of Scripture in which God instructs us not to judge others. Look up Romans 2:1-3 and James 4:11,12. Both passages clearly say that we should not judge other people. But then read Matthew 18:15-20 (and also Luke 17:3 and 1 Corinthians 5:12). In these verses, the Bible clearly says that we should confront, rebuke, and even judge others when we see them sin.

So, which is it?

To judge or not to judge? That is the question.

Though at times it seems like the Bible contradicts itself, it never does. The solution to our current conundrum is to recognize the difference between judging and being a messenger of God’s judgment.

God is the judge of all people (Romans 2:6). He is a righteous judge whose verdicts are always just and fair (Psalm 96:13). On the other hand, as sinful human beings, we have no right to judge anyone. Judging is God’s job.

God does, however, call us to be messengers of his judgment. When we as Christians humbly and lovingly confront other people with their sin, we are not placing ourselves as judge or arbiter of their lives. We are simply sharing with them what God says in his Word.

And to do so is love. Read again Matthew 18:15-20. The whole purpose of pointing out sin in others’ lives is to lead them to repent and find forgiveness in Jesus. To allow others to continue in sin without warning them of God’s judgment is not love.

The key is to do so humbly. If you look closely at Matthew chapter 7 or the other sections of Scripture in which God commands us not to judge, what God is really saying is that he doesn’t want us to be judgmental. He is warning us not to think that we are better than anybody else. He is cautioning us not to let pride or condescension creep into our hearts or mouths.

But God does want us to speak the truth of his Word in love (Ephesians 4:15).

Sadly, as Christians, we often fall into pride and condescension when we talk about other people’s sins. We frequently come across as judgmental and unloving. In the end, it’s not enough to be right. As my dad always used to say when I was a boy, “It’s not what you said; it’s how you said it.”

In Matthew 7:1, Jesus is warning us not to let pride creep into our hearts or condescension flow from our lips. He is commanding us not to be judgmental. But God does want us to proclaim his judgments—to speak the truth of his Word even when others don’t want to hear it. He does want us to confront others humbly and lovingly when they sin so that they repent and we can lead them to the forgiving arms of their Savior.

Only there, wrapped in Jesus’ forgiving embrace, can we find a true judgment-free zone.

For further thought or discussion

Someone in your life is making life choices that are not God-pleasing. As you confront this person with his bad behavior, he gets angry and says, “All Christians do is judge other people. Even Jesus said you shouldn’t judge!”

Based on the verses of this study, write out a succinct answer or jot down bullet points that you could use to answer this person lovingly.

This is the second article in a series on misunderstood Bible verses.

Author: Andrew Schroer
Volume 112, Number 05
Issue: May 2025

Brining God’s Word into focus

Scripture interprets Scripture

Some verses in the Bible can seemingly mean more than one thing. In such cases, how can the reader know which is God’s intended meaning? Let Scripture do the interpreting of Scripture. In other words, look first at the immediate context. Context often clarifies the purpose and meaning of the words. But then also look for parallel passages, that is, other passages in Scripture that speak on the same subject. They will often clarify the meaning. Most important, remember that the Bible never contradicts itself. If people find contradictions in the Bible, the problem is not with God’s revelation but with their interpretation.

Pray for wisdom

When young Solomon became King of Israel, God appeared to him and offered to give him whatever he asked for. Solomon prayed for a wise heart to govern God’s people and “to distinguish between right and wrong” (1 Kings 3:9). In the original Hebrew language, it literally says, “to judge [shaphat] between right and wrong.” God was pleased with Solomon’s request and gave him wisdom and discernment. In fact, he made Solomon the wisest man who ever lived.

When you are faced with the challenge of confronting sinful behavior in others, pray Solomon’s humble prayer. Ask for a discerning heart. Ask for wisdom to know what to say and when. God loves—and always answers—such prayers.