Not all judgment is the same...
The biggest mistake we make in the degree to which we put confidence in our leaders, or those we love or those we judge, is not whether they are worthy enough or capable enough. The biggest mistake we make is expecting either too much of a universally flawed member of the human race or too little, because of partiality or because we are very aware of the flaws of all human flesh, and justify it as "No worse than everybody else".
The scriptural verses that caution us against judging others are not intended to neutralize our disapproval of sin or our quest for holy living and uprightness. They are intended to awaken our awareness to the fact that we too are faulty and far from perfect. God wants us to first focus on our own fleshly failures. Then, when we look at the faults of others, through the lens of scripture, our view of them will be moderated by our clearer view of ourselves. That doesn't mean we should not discriminate between good and evil or right and wrong. But expecting honesty and uprightness in others will carry more credibility if we live up to our own standards.
The Lord instructs us to judge, not with self-righteous judgment ... but with "righteous judgment". Which means, "right", or in agreement with the word of God, and not just by what "appears" to be a good thing. "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." John 7:24.
Almost constantly we are forced to "decide" what is right or wrong, best or worst... to discern between things, to trust or distrust. We are "judging" when we choose our friends or forbid our children to hang out with those who use drugs curse, steal, or are known troublemakers. The Lord commands Christians to separate themselves from certain nefarious people (Judging them). "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with (the devil)? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God .... Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord." 2 Cor.6:14-17. How are we going to know of whom the Lord speaks if we don't render a judgment of people's actions and character so we may avoid bad influences? To obey those verses requires us to render judgement of people's actions and words.
Our own flaws do not relieve us of measuring the flaws of those we vote for, hire, marry, or choose as close friends. So first, let us judge ourselves, in light of the scriptures, then judge others, in light of the scriptures. It is an extreme divergence from reason to judge ourselves or others by the standards of the world.
A father told his daughter, "No, you cannot go out with that young man; he has been arrested three times. He smokes marijuana, steals from his parents and curses them, lied to me, got two girls pregnant, can't hold a job, is ten years older than you, and the police were here yesterday looking for him." The daughter, with tears running down her face, said, "But Daddy, nobody's perfect".
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