Be Discerning But Not Judgmental

Matthew 7:1-6
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Jesus taught us to love God and other people. We are called to be loving and compassionate. But we are also called to be wise.

On one hand, we are not to be judgmental, but on the other hand, we are called to be discerning.

We should be careful about judging others. Don’t judge other people, and we will not be judged. We will be judged in the same way that we judge others. And the forgiveness we give to others will be given to us.

Why do we focus and pinpoint on the little piece of dust that is in our brother’s eye, but we don’t see the big piece of wood that is in our own eye?

Why do we say to our brother, ‘Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at ourselves first! We still have that big piece of wood in our own eye. We are hypocrites! First, take the wood out of our own eye. Then we will see clearly enough to take the dust out of our brother’s eye.

Don’t give holy things to dogs. Don’t throw pearls before pigs. Pigs will only trample on them. And the dogs will only turn to attack us.

While told not to be judgmental, we are also called to exercise discernment. We are advised not to give something sacred or valuable to those who will not appreciate it.

When sharing holy things or precious truths, we must exercise discernment, particularly with people who might react with contempt or hostility. The dogs and swine represent people who are unholy or hostile. They are unable or unwilling to value things that are precious and holy.

While told not to be judgmental and judge others, we need to know who the dogs and swine are, lest we cast our precious pearls before them. The swine will only trample on them. And the dogs will only turn back to attack us.

The difference between judgment and discernment is a very thin line. And how do we know and differentiate whether people are dogs and swine?

Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly.

2 Peter 2:22
But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

In His sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses dogs and pigs to represent those who would ridicule, reject, and blaspheme the gospel when it is presented to them.

We should not continue to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who will trample it, spit at it and return back to their own evil ways.

While told not to cast pearls before swine, it should not refrain us from preaching the gospel faithfully. Jesus Himself ate with sinners and tax collectors, sharing the love of God even though they were unworthy.

Matthew 10:14
And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

But Jesus also told us, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.”

We are to share the gospel to all people. But when it becomes evident that the gospel is not welcome, we are to move on.

We are responsible to share the good news. But we are not responsible for the responses of the people towards the gospel.

Pigs don’t appreciate the value of pearls. Some people simply don’t appreciate what Christ has done for them. Dogs will bark at us, and bite us even when we approach them with compassion and love.

Our mission is not to force salvation or cram the gospel down people’s throats. There is no sense in giving pearls to swine. They will reject the precious truths of the good news.

Though they may reject the gospel, there are others who may accept the good news. We simply go elsewhere. There are other people who need to hear the gospel, and they are ready to hear it.

Be wise and discerning, but not judgmental.

Written on 6 November 2025