Yes. This is one of God’s reasons for emphasizing self-judgment. If we are truly aware of our own need for God’s mercy, we will find it much easier to be merciful to others. God has given to each one of us the capacity to distinguish between good and evil. It is a part of maturity to exercise this in judging ourselves. But if we refuse to cooperate with God in searching our own hearts, we will soon become critical of others. If we recognize criticism in our conversation, this is a sure sign that we are in need of a good session alone with God in self-examination.
Refraining from judging others will prevent judgment from coming to us.
How often we have been warned that the critical will be criticized! This is a law of life. If instead we cover others in love, we will experience that same tenderness when others deal with us.
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (Matthew 7:1-2).
Criticism dulls our own perceptions, making us less accurate in judgment.
If we insist on overlooking our own faults in order to scrutinize someone else, our vision will become distorted. We will soon be deceiving ourselves and then begin playing religious games. That is what a hypocrite is-one who is only wearing a mask and playing a role.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shall thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye (Matthew 7:3-5).
Discrimination and evaluation are not “judging”
God expects us to use common sense in our relationships with people. If we are hiring employees, we check work records and character references. If certain people constantly have a bad effect upon us, we should look into it before spending much more time with them. We need to know when it is appropriate to share openly with others and when to use discretion.
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you (Matthew 7:6).