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When It Is Okay To Judge People

When It Is Okay To Judge People

Last updated on: September 30, 2026 at 8:27 am by Jocelyn Soriano

When It Is Okay To Judge People 2026-09-17T09:38:00+08:00 Jocelyn Soriano

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Is it okay for us to judge other people? What does the Bible say about judging others?

While most of us may have been familiar with Bible verses urging us not to judge others, we may have also asked questions like:

“But what if some people are doing something really bad?”

“Is it fair just to leave others alone instead of correcting them?”

“Some things just don’t feel right deep inside.”

If we stopped judging others in all situations, lawlessness would abound and discipline would be lost. The Church would not be able to shed light on moral issues or determine whether an action is sinful. Even parents would find it hard to practice their God-given authority to correct and lead their children.

To help us understand what the Bible says about judging others, let us begin with a verse we may have already heard.

“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.” – Matthew 7:1 (NABRE)

“Stop judging” says the Bible verse. And what follows seems like a frightening consequence when we don’t refrain from judging.

But does this mean that we should avoid using our judgment in all circumstances?

To understand the said Bible passage better, let us continue to read the succeeding verses:

“For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.”- Matthew 7:2-5 (NABRE)

The Bible verse then is a reminder that before we judge others, we must first examine and judge ourselves. Because if we cannot even look at our own hearts, how could we possibly judge other people?

It is possible then to judge if we have the right kind of judgment that sees the truth. And the initial test of that truth is to look first at our own sins and shortcomings.

Let us consider the instances when we may judge other people:

1. When we know the truth

We can’t judge if we are influenced by our prejudices. We also can’t judge on mere hearsay. If we ever use our judgment, it should be with carefully gathered evidence. It is also very important to use God’s given wisdom. With His wisdom, we must judge deeply and not judge by mere appearances.

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” – John 7:24 (NRSVCE)

2. When we have compassion and mercy in our hearts

If we can recall the woman caught in adultery, Jesus looked at the woman not just with justice but with mercy.

“‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’” – John 8:10-11 (NRSVCE)

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:36 (NRSVCE)

3. When our hearts are not bent towards evil

What is your motive when you judge others? Is it to defend those who have been victimized? Is it to provide correction? Is it to protect those who may be harmed?

But if our motivation is to bring down others because of pride, greed or jealousy, we never have the right to judge.

“Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:7 (NRSVCE)

“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbor?” – James 4:11-12 (NRSVCE)

We Can Judge But Not Misjudge

“Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.” – Matthew 7:6 (NABRE)

God did not intend to leave us powerless or without any available measure to pursue true justice. God wants us to be wise, to uphold fairness and to defend the oppressed.

But before we ever judge another person, we must first seek wisdom from above, cleanse our hearts and make sure that we have the right motivation.

It is ours to judge rightly, but never to misjudge anyone and cause more harm.

Judge The Actions But Not The Heart

It is possible, by God’s help and grace to judge the actions of others. With wisdom, discernment and care, we can gain understanding and render judgment based on the actions that we see.

It is a different matter, however, to judge someone’s heart. We cannot condemn anyone thinking this or that person would never change. Only God knows that.

What we can do is to judge what is possible for us to understand and surrender to God what only God could possibly know. As much as possible, let us give others the benefit of the doubt and act in humility. Let us keep in mind that we know very little and if we were the ones being judged, we would also pray that we may be given not only justice but also understanding, compassion and love.

“Do not accept anything as the truth if it lacks love. And do not accept anything as love which lacks truth.”- Edith Stein

“Love and truth will meet;
justice and peace will kiss.
Truth will spring from the earth;
justice will look down from heaven.
Yes, the Lord will grant his bounty;
our land will yield its produce.
Justice will march before him,
and make a way for his footsteps.”
– Psalm 85:11-14 (NABRE)

Jocelyn Soriano is the author of Mend My Broken Heart, Defending My Catholic Faith and 366 Days of Compassion. She also writes about faith and writing at Single Catholic Writer.

Get the book from Amazon.

See Jocelyn’s books from other digital stores.

You may also want to read “Are Religious People Too Harsh?”

General Christian

About Jocelyn Soriano

Jocelyn Soriano is an author, poet, and book reviewer. She is an introvert who enjoys a cup of coffee and listening to the cello ****** while working.

She wrote the books To Love an Invisible God, Defending My Catholic Faith and Mend My Broken Heart. She also wrote books on poetry including Poems of Love and Letting Go and Of Waves and Butterflies: Poems on Grief. She has published more than 15 books and developed her own Android applications including God’s Promises and Catholic Answers and Apologetics.

She writes about relationships and common questions about God and the Catholic faith at Single Catholic Writer. She is currently single and happy and she would like everyone to know how happy we can be by drawing close to the love of God!

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