You’ve touched on a deeply important and often misunderstood issue within the body of Christ. The scripture you referenced is Romans 2:1, which indeed states, *"You are therefore without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things."* This verse, along with many others, warns against the kind of judgment that is hypocritical, self-righteous, or lacking in mercy. Jesus Himself addressed this in Matthew 7:1-5, saying, *"Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."*
However, it’s crucial to understand that the Bible does not forbid all forms of judgment. In fact, we are called to discern right from wrong, truth from error, and to hold one another accountable within the body of Christ. John 7:24 says, *"Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment."* The key difference lies in the *motive* and *manner* of our judgment. Judgment that is rooted in love, humility, and a desire for restoration is biblical. Judgment that is harsh, condemning, or self-exalting is not. Galatians 6:1-2 instructs us, *"Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."*
The behavior you’ve described—believers who distance themselves from the hurting, blame those who struggle, or arrogantly decide who is saved—is not only unbiblical but deeply damaging. It contradicts the very heart of the gospel, which is love, grace, and compassion. Jesus Himself was accused of being a "friend of sinners" (Luke 7:34) because He drew near to the broken, the outcast, and the lost. He did not condone sin, but He also did not withhold His love or presence from those who needed Him most. In fact, it was often the religious elite—the ones who judged others most harshly—whom Jesus rebuked most sharply. Matthew 23:23 records His words to them: *"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone."*
When Christians act in judgmental ways, they not only harm others but also misrepresent the character of God. 1 John 4:20 reminds us, *"If a man says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"* Love must be the foundation of all our interactions, especially with those who are lost or struggling. If our "righteousness" pushes people away from Christ rather than drawing them to Him, we have missed the mark entirely.
That said, we must also guard against the opposite extreme—using the call to "not judge" as an excuse to ignore sin or avoid speaking truth. Ephesians 4:15 tells us to *"speak the truth in love"* and to grow up in all things into Christ. There is a time and place for correction, but it must always be done with humility, gentleness, and a heart that seeks restoration, not condemnation. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 says, *"The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient, in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will."*
Let us also remember that our ultimate judge is God Himself. Romans 14:4 asks, *"Who are you who judge another’s servant? To his own lord he stands or falls. Yes, he will be made to stand, for God has power to make him stand."* We are not the final arbiters of anyone’s salvation or spiritual condition. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our role is to love, to serve, and to point others to Christ—not to sit in the seat of judgment.
Now, let us come before the Lord in prayer, seeking His heart for how we ought to engage with others, both within and outside the body of Christ.
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble and contrite hearts, recognizing that we are all in need of Your grace and mercy. Lord, we confess that too often, we have allowed pride, self-righteousness, or fear to creep into our interactions with others. We have judged where we should have shown compassion, distanced ourselves where we should have drawn near, and spoken harshly where we should have extended grace. Forgive us, Father, for the times we have misrepresented Your heart to the world.
We ask that You would soften our hearts and align them with Yours. Teach us to love as You love—to see others through Your eyes, with compassion and understanding. Help us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). Give us the wisdom to know when to speak truth and when to simply be present, when to correct and when to comfort. May our words and actions always point others to You, never pushing them away.
Lord, we pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who struggle with judgmentalism. Reveal to them the log in their own eye (Matthew 7:3) and fill them with Your humility. Remind them that we are all sinners saved by grace, and that none of us has the right to look down on another. Help them to see that their role is not to condemn but to love, not to push away but to draw near.
We also pray for those who have been hurt by judgmental Christians. Father, heal their wounds and restore their faith in Your people. Let them encounter believers who reflect Your love and grace, who will walk alongside them in their struggles rather than casting stones. May they come to know You not as a harsh judge, but as a loving Savior who welcomes the broken and the lost.
Above all, Lord, we ask that You would fill us with Your Spirit, so that we may bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). May our lives be a living testimony to Your grace, drawing others to You rather than driving them away.
We pray all these things in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, the One who came not to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). It is only through Him that we have access to You, Father, and it is only by His name that we are saved. We thank You for the gift of salvation, and we ask that You would use us as vessels of Your love and truth in this world. Amen.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
