Can we judge William Branham?
Followers of William Branham tell us that the Bible commands us not to judge and that, as a result, we should not judge William Branham or his message. Is this what the Bible truly teaches?
- 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? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log 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. Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.[1]
The meaning of Matthew 7:1-6
The emphasis of Matthew 7:1-6is on criticism of other people’s failings, and the warning “so that you may not be judged” makes it clear that this sort of “judging” is not something to be welcomed. It is a reciprocal principle which is the focus of the passage, rather than a prohibition of any use of critical judgment in itself. Verse 6 calls for a proper discrimination which must be based on some “judgment” as to who are, and are not, fit recipients for “sacred things” and “pearls.”
In fact there is a clear call to judge people by their fruits later in the chapter (Matthew 7:15–20), and the requirement to draw a fellow-disciple’s sin to their own, and if necessary other people’s attention, in Matthew 18:15–17. But what is forbidden here is the sort of fault-finding mentality and speech which is likely to rebound against the one who exercises it (see James 2:13; James 4:11–12; James 5:9).
The critic who is blind to his or her own failings is living in a make-believe world where one can exempt oneself from standards which others are expected to conform to. The use of the word "hypocrite" in verse 5 is the only time Matthew uses it of a disciple rather than of those outside the group.
The hypocrite is criticized for failing to apply the same standards to himself that he applies to others (like David in his response to Nathan’s parable in 2 Sam 12:1–7), and thus being unaware of the inconsistency of his behavior. Verse 3 speaks of “failing to notice” rather than of deliberate deception. It is other people, and especially God, who can see the “hypocrisy” of his self-righteousness for what it is. The person being criticized is described as the critic’s “brother” or fellow-disciple.[2]
What the Bible really teaches about judgment
The Bible includes many references to judging but it must be done in accordance with scripture:
- Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”[3]
- The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.[4]
- Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”[5]
- Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life![6]
- I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.[7]
- Two or three who are given God’s message should speak, while the others are to judge what they say.[8]
Footnotes
- ↑ The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Mt 7:1–6
- ↑ R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publication Co., 2007), 274-275.
- ↑ The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Jn 7:24.
- ↑ The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Co 2:15.
- ↑ The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Co 5:12–13.
- ↑ The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Co 6:3.
- ↑ The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), 1 Co 10:15.
- ↑ American Bible Society, The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation, 2nd ed. (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), 1 Co 14:29.