We have often heard from many people that we should not judge and often they quote "part" of the passage where Jesus deals with this issue. Unfortunately they do not quote the whole passage nor do they properly interpret it. Now let me say this from the start that Jesus is NOT talking about judging a person's salvation or a person's heart or their motives because only HE and His Father can judge those things. That is simply not our right. Jesus is talking about judging sin and sinful behavior here. Let's look.
Mat 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
First we see that Jesus is not saying that we should not judge but that if we do that we better be very careful because we will also be judged by that same standard we are applying. He continues.
3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. NKJV
Jesus is pointing out the hypocracy of those who are in sin yet sit in judgment of others. He says that we have to remove that sin from our own lives first before we can help a brother/sister remove there sin. So in other words "IF" you have repented from that sin then you are in a better place to help your brother or sister. The purpose is not to condemn but to encourage and try to get them to see their error and lead them to the right path of repentance and walking righteously before God.
James 5:20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. NKJV
How can you help turn a sinner from the error of his/her ways unless you are able to judge that sin? You can't.
1John 5:16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.
Good to talk to you again. I mostly agree with what you wrote, but have a few differing ideas.
First, Jesus did not say to only judge if you would do so righteously....He said judge NOT. I believe you will find that the Greek will support the translation. Do not judge means just that, don't do it. It would have been very easy for Jesus to say Be careful how you judge, but He did not, He said do not judge. Then He tells you the consequences of that action.
To me, this is a clear warning to look at ourselves and not others. The Bible teaches us how to deal with brothers or sisters in sin, we are to lovingly try to bring them back to the flock, not stand in judgment of them.
It is hard to break judgment and forgiveness apart and still understand what the Bible is talking about. An example would be a brother that is sinning; we are to instantly forgive him of his shortcoming, and try to bring him back. The two will always go hand in hand. If they do not, we are the one in sin.
We have to use judgment every day, but judging another is God's job. David understood this with Shemai. When he came out cursing David and throwing rocks at David, his mighty men wanted to kill him, but David would not allow it. He understood that he was being led by God to do this. We can not know if someone is being led by the Spirit to do something we don't agree with, so we should not judge at all.
I also have differing ideas regarding "judging people".
You said, "Jesus did not say to only judge if you would do so righteously." The truth is, He did say so. He said, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment." (John 7:24). A lot of people are so quick to say, "Don't judge! Don't judge!" Jesus said to judge, but to do so rightly (i.e. according to the Word of God). He even asked, "Why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?" (Luke 12:57)
If Jesus did not want us to judge at all, He simply would have said so. You can try to reprove me by citing Matthew 7:1, but know that you take the passage out of its context if you only cite that verse. Matthew 7:1-5 is talking about hypocritical judgment, as well as judging by one's own standard. Jesus said that we are not to judge in this way.
Indeed, the Bible teaches us how to deal with brothers and sisters in sin.
"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
However, it should not be limited to the above passage.
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector." (Matthew 18:15-18)
The next passage explains the thing that is rarely done in many of today's churches.
"But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner-not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore 'put away from yourselves the evil person.'" (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
This judgment is discerning those who are good or evil (who are inside the church). You may wonder why we are not to associate with someone (or even eat with him/her) who claims to be a Christian yet, in general, practices sin. The answer: "Evil company corrupts good habits" (1 Corinthians 15:33).
You are right, it is initially God's job to judge all; but to exercise godliness, we are to judge others, who are inside the church, rightly. Jesus commanded this.
You wrote, "We can not know if someone is being led by the Spirit to do something we don't agree with, so we should not judge at all." 1 Corinthians 2:15 should help you with that.
"He who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one."
I hope this is helpful to you (and anyone who reads this).
