Judge Not

Judge not, that ye not be judged. Matthew 7:1 KJV

Many like to cite this scripture of late.There there are those throwing this verse around to make a point and claim others are cherry picking from the bible. I find it interesting and tiresome that those using this one verse don't quote the subsequent verses.  In essence they are doing this very same thing by accusing  and attacking those of other viewpoints using this one scripture. The subsequent verses read:

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 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 wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull the mote out of thine eye; and behold , a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite first cast the beam out of thine own eye; then thou shalt see clearly to cast  the mote out of thy brother's eye. Matthew 7:2-5 KJV

Clearly this passage refers to hypocritical judgment. Of course we are to exercise judgment, this is just common sense. Are we going to let criminals roam the streets because we are to 'judge not' ?  Over and over in scripture we are exhorted to judge. Here are just a few. There are many more but I think these make the point.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge the righteous judgment. John 7:24 KJV

The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. Psalm 37:30 KJV

Take heed..if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Luke 17:3 KJV

Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 1 Corinthians 6:3 NIV

As far as political and cultural opinions, I can only say each of us will give an account to the LORD at the Judgment and no man can redefine what is sin and what isn't. I just would like to see this verse used in it's proper context.