7:1 Judge not. Here Jesus warns against condemning the actions or motives of others. Only the Lord has that right, since only He has full knowledge of a person’s actions and motives. (John 5:22; Romans 14:4,10; etc.). On the other hand, He has commanded us to “judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). We should be able to recognize false teachers and “from such turn away” (II Timothy 3:5; see also Matthew 7:15-20; etc.). Also, we should discern and rebuke these false brethren who are encouraging others to sin (Ephesians 5:7,11). In other words, we should be able to judge that which is wrong, in either doctrine or practice, and avoid (or correct) those who are involved, but we must not condemn them—God must do that.