What Judging Others Does to Us! - Matthew 7

Judging Others

7 “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.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Many people use this phrase "judge not lest you be judged" as an excuse for behavior they know is wrong.  It is blanket protection for anyone calling into question an immoral or ungodly behavior they might be involved in.  There is a way to speak the truth in love to someone, which is done in a spirit of honest and true concern for a brother or sister in Christ not in a judgmental spirit.  So we need to be careful not to take this text out of context. 

But Jesus is speaking to a crowd who had a tendency to be judgmental, especially the religous leaders.  Jesus points out several principles to remember about judging others.  Remember to separate judging a particular behavior with judging a person's salvation.  The latter is what Jesus was referring to.  A good picture of what he was talking about was when the people wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery.  Remember Jesus said, "Whoever is without sin cast the first stone."  In the chapter 6 yesterday Jesus gave further meaning to the 6th commandment when he taught, "Anyone who looks lustfully at another person's spouse commits adultery in their hearts."

If you have ever been around a really judgmental person, they are not real fun to be around.  Really judgmental people are always at work finding ways to be critical of another's behavior. Usually this is motivated by a desire to feel better about theirselves.  You see if I can focus on the faults of the others around me I don't have to look at my own.   

But Jesus gives a stern warning to those are used to pointing out small slivers of wood in another's eye, when they have a logjam in their own.  When we judge others, we presume the role of God.  We use our own standards, which are suitable and acceptable to us.  Yet to see things from God's perspective reveals a whole new standard which we call "holiness".  The book of Isaiah says, "Our righteousness is like filthy rags".  We often judge by externals but God judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  

When we realize our own unworthiness before God and the grace he has given us in Christ, it is hard to be judgmental.  Jesus said, "Whoever is forgiven much loves much."      

Here is a godly goal you might consider for 2019. "I will do my best not to judge others, lest this same judgement be used for me."  If you are serious about this you might want to write it down and read it before you start your day.  Try it for 30 days and see what happens to your own heart!