What's up with this Judge Not

Mat 7:1-2  "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.

I believe this is one of the most misused scriptures in all the Bible.  Especially in the climate that we live in.  Any time you try to point out any violation of sin this is what you are faced with.

Later on in this same chapter we find in vs. 15 Jesus tells the Christian to know the false prophets by their fruit.  So which is correct.

Well both are.  The word judge here is from the greek word Krino which means to prefer, condemn, decree, pick out.  The connotation is of someone who is trying to tear down another person.  Bringing condemnation to that person.  Focusing more on the sin and less on the hope.   It could also refer to someone who is bringing others down to lift themselves up.

Notice another part is our measure.  What we measure by is just as important as what we are measuring.  If we are measuring by ourselves we will fail.  If we measure by the scriptures we will be okay.

The key over all is to "speak the truth in love" Eph 4:15.

So yes we are to look at the fruit of others and speak from a  heart of love.  We must not be afraid to let the scripture speak for itself.

So, what do you think?