Should Christians judge?

I have quite often been told, by non-Christians and Christians alike, that I should not judge others. They will recite Scripture to me (the non-believers too!). Have you ever heard this before?

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you."

-Mathew 7:1-2

This is normally where they stop. The rest of the passage is rather important as well however...

"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

- Matthew 7:3-5

And how about just a few verses later?

"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits."

Matthew 7:15-20

You will know them by their fruits...This sounds a lot like we are supposed to judge the fruits of people who claim Christ. This is reiterated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 5.

It is very important to realize that Christians are not meant to judge the actions of non-believers. Paul very clearly points this out, also in 1 Corinthians 5. 

I think this sums it up all very nicely:

"I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one."

-1 Corinthians 5:11

The phrase 'so-called brother' is what really nails it down. Clearly, if someone comes in the name of Christ, we are supposed to look at their life and weigh it against the fruits of the spirit we see in Scripture. We are not supposed to simply take their word for it.

But in all things let us show grace and love. And, let us also not forget the first part of Matthew 7:

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you."

as well as John 7:24:

"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

So in our judgments of others we must remember that we are all fallen and that nobody is perfect. But let us not be afraid to judge the actions of others and be made vulnerable to false teachers and false prophets. Before you give someone influence in your life, examine theirs and test it against Scripture as Paul and Jesus have commanded.