Judge Yourself
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:1-5
It’s so interesting how our culture has taken to these words of Jesus. Why not His teaching on heaven or hell? Or even His golden rule (see 7:12). No, there is something that sings to Western people in Matthew 7.
And I think it’s linked to how aware we have become of the thoughts of others. I mean, people have always been self-conscious. And people have always judged each other harshly, this side of Genesis 3. But now, we feel so much more aware of it.
And this self-consciousness has made a cocktail with the belief that self-esteem is central to a healthy human. Judgement of course is seen as absolutely deadly for self-esteem.
What is the solution? No judging ever! Then I need not fear. Then I can do whatever I want, be who I want to be, without the danger of negative reaction.
But of course this isn’t what Jesus is saying. Jesus’ knows, judging others' behaviour is an important aspect to growing a righteous community. No, what Jesus is warning against is self-righteousness. Nothing disrupts the pursuit of congregational righteousness more than self-righteousness judgement.
The solution is humility. It’s self-reflection before splinter-detection. It’s a call to consider our own righteousness before turning our eyes to the sins of others. And this is how we can be light.
Despite the desire to be never judged. Our culture seems to be very good at judging others without ever considering their own planks or logs. What a witness we could be if God’s people were different. If we acknowledged our sins, faults and failures with no excuses or defensiveness.
For Today:
Pray:
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:1-5
It’s so interesting how our culture has taken to these words of Jesus. Why not His teaching on heaven or hell? Or even His golden rule (see 7:12). No, there is something that sings to Western people in Matthew 7.
And I think it’s linked to how aware we have become of the thoughts of others. I mean, people have always been self-conscious. And people have always judged each other harshly, this side of Genesis 3. But now, we feel so much more aware of it.
And this self-consciousness has made a cocktail with the belief that self-esteem is central to a healthy human. Judgement of course is seen as absolutely deadly for self-esteem.
What is the solution? No judging ever! Then I need not fear. Then I can do whatever I want, be who I want to be, without the danger of negative reaction.
But of course this isn’t what Jesus is saying. Jesus’ knows, judging others' behaviour is an important aspect to growing a righteous community. No, what Jesus is warning against is self-righteousness. Nothing disrupts the pursuit of congregational righteousness more than self-righteousness judgement.
The solution is humility. It’s self-reflection before splinter-detection. It’s a call to consider our own righteousness before turning our eyes to the sins of others. And this is how we can be light.
Despite the desire to be never judged. Our culture seems to be very good at judging others without ever considering their own planks or logs. What a witness we could be if God’s people were different. If we acknowledged our sins, faults and failures with no excuses or defensiveness.
For Today:
- Why do you think people don’t want to be judged?
- Is there a sin or weakness you need to acknowledge in yourself?
- Is there a splinter in your brother or sister's eye that you might lovingly discuss with them?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that He is a perfect judge.
- Give thanks for Jesus who died for us in spite of our sins and unfair judgements.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others grow each other in righteousness.
Posted in Matthew
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