In Matthew 7:1-3, Jesus tells us, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?"

You've probably heard or seen this scripture all around social media today. People use it to ward off ideologies that contradict theirs.

But is all form of contradiction really judgment? Or have we as a generation twisted the meaning of "judging" into something that stagnates our growth and shuts our mind to the possibilities of God's grace?

The word for "judge" used in the New Testament is "krino," which means to condemn or to bring damnation upon. What Jesus warns us against in Matthew chapter 7 is the destructive labelling of people so as to bring condemnation to put people down, not build them up. With this definition, even empty praise that only builds pride and self-indulgence can be judgment. Judgment lies not in the mind through the words we say, but rather in the heart through the feelings we convey.

Rebuke and correction are not always judgment

That being said, not all rebuke and correction are judgment. God calls that we rebuke, but that we rebuke in love meaning the heart motive should not to put people down or lift ourselves up, but to bring Christ upon others and in doing so bring enlightenment and peace.

It is important to remember however that rebuke is best done in the context of a relationship. That's why rebuke and correction over social media have no traction whatsoever because there is no authentic space for true relationship. Luke 17:3 tells us, "Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him."

It's hard and virtually fruitless to rebuke someone who does not share brotherly relationship or any other form of relationship for that matter with you.

The gospel offends

If there's anything that offends us more, it's the gospel. The message of Jesus Christ tells us that we are so sinful and so weak that we are unable to save our own souls on our own. But because of God's love, Jesus came down to earth to save us since we could not save ourselves.

It's true that only God can judge. But should you choose to wait for God's judgment before heeding the rebuke and correction given by a brother in love then I don't think you put yourself in a very good position. It's like choosing to ignore the road signs before driving off a cliff. God uses the rebuke and correction of others to bring us good, and we must be quick to discern the heart for good motives, not automatically reject the words of rebuke directed at us.

If by anything, receiving rebuke will not be a problem to a heart secured in Christ and humble enough to admit that we are all broken sinners in need of the gospel. A revelation of Christ therefore will lead us to accept rebuke, not pass it off easily as judgment.