"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 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? – Matthew 7.1-4
‘Judge not that you be not judged’ is probably one of the world’s favourite verses. It may be the only verse many people know and it is pulled out anytime anyone points out any kind of sin or improper action. ‘Be careful,’ they say, ‘the Bible says judge not that ye be not judged.’
Like all of scripture though it is obvious that context is key. The verse doesn’t stop there. It does indeed say ‘Don’t judge, that you be not judged’ but it goes on to say why. ‘You need to be prepared to be judged the same way you judge others.’
It goes on to make it clear. ‘Why are you so concerned about the speck that is in your brother’s eye while you have a plank that is in your own eye.’
Do you remember the old saying ‘Be careful pointing a finger at someone else because you have three pointing back at you?’ That is the key thing to remember here. The best finger pointers often have far more issues themselves that need to be pointed out.
Even though we may have a plank in our own eye and our brother may only have a speck it is much easier for us to see his speck than our own beam that is so obvious to everyone else. When we choose to judge others we are inviting the same kind of inspection of our lives, and when we do that the plank is clear for everyone to see.
God’s word judges, we don’t. If we would keep that in mind we might take much more care in judging others while missing our own sins.
I find that dealing with my own sins and flaws is pretty much a full time when I do it properly. Next time I am tempted to be judgemental and point my finger, let me remember the three fingers pointing back.
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