Are We To Judge Or Not?

Matthew 7:1 “Judge  not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.


This is a very rich passage in the Bible yet often miss interpreted.  Jesus said, Dont judge or you will be judged!  Pretty clear right?  Only while looking at Jesus, using His compassionate lenses.  See, we can never be another's judge unto condemnation.  That belongs only to God.  Keeping on point, Jesus goes on to say with the measure you use, it will be measured back.  Ok, so, its really not that I make a judgment on something, its how Im judging!  Obviously, you must make a judgment call on what not to judge right?  I'm to examine my judgments under the microscrope of the sinner I am and the Savior Jesus is unto all men.  I must factor this in.  I can still make prudent judgment calls but based off Christs judgments!  How can I judge a fellow man about the splinter of sin in his eye IF I have a log in my eye and cant see properly?  Impossible!  That is Jesus' point, first get your sin taken care of properly, then go help your brother properly in grace and mercy, with his.  
When we don't listen to Jesus here, the world sees our hypocricies, mocks God, not us, tramples Gods word & paths of righteousness under feet!  Jesus didnt come to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.  Why do I think I should?

2 Comments


Sondra - April 3rd, 2024 at 8:34am

But for the grace of God, there go I. When I remember the mercy of God on my life, it's hard to judge someone else harshly. As you said, Jon, we need to use the lens of Jesus' eyes to discern the sin or hypocrisy in another. His eyes allow us to see clearly and have a heart of mercy and kindness. A stranger offended me deeply this week, but my response was to pray for her, asking the Lord to draw her to Him for salvation. I was instantly amazed, because I recognized that my response was solely due to the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart. Instead of continuing to feel that hurt, He took it away. No seed of bitterness, no huge bitter weed to have to dig out by the roots. Instead He gave me peace and contentment in my spirit, and a desire for her to know God. I praise Him for not giving up on me. Since He didn't give up on me, how can I give up on anyone else? Jesus is our pattern. He showed us the heart of the Father.

Jon - April 3rd, 2024 at 9:38am

Well said Sondra. This world can be extremely cruel but praise the LORD, we dont have to further perpetuate the ugliness. We can love those who are unlovable, as we were.

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