It happens everyday, we all do  it in one way or another. We experience life and make conscious decisions multiple times a day. We might call it discerning, or being wise, being street smart or intuition, but we size things up, make assumptions and live out life based on our own thoughts.  Many times we justify our thoughts and attitudes and sometimes just live from one reaction and thought to another.

One of the most quoted and abused words Jesus ever spoke was “Do not judge others”. That is thrown around and used by Christians and non-Christians alike.

What is your insights and feelings with the discussions about judging others? Or what is your mental state when you are in conversation and one throws out the saying “you know you should not judge” or “who made you the judge”?

Today’s parable of Jesus is laid out right after the Sermon on the Mount. Interestingly, if we put into perspective, when Jesus got done with that sermon there was a lot of figure pointing going on. After all the wise instruction, there were ideas of how some of it was for “those people” and how some of it was for “us”, and there was a lot of mental and verbal finger-pointing going on. Jesus was aware and he also knew that many people were going to receive and seek the Good News he came to give, and yet others would be stubborn and miss the whole opportunity before them. (see commentary in Jesus’ Parables outline). Jesus takes his disciples aside and explains to them.

Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant. He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:

‘When they see what I do,
    they will learn nothing.
When they hear what I say,
    they will not understand.
Otherwise, they will turn to me
    and be forgiven.’”  – Mark 4:9-12 NLT

The scribes and Pharisees were guilty of exercising a false judgement about themselves, other people, and even the Lord. Their false righteousness helped to encourage this false judgement. This explains why our Lord closed this important sermon with a discussion of judgment.

Do Not Judge Others

1“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.  – Matthew 7:1-6 NLT

We will be judged

People love verse 1, but forget about the truth of verse 2. We will be judged. There is no side-stepping that fact. There is a once-and-for-all final judgement.  Jesus point is to not stop judgement, but to focus our judgement. We must first judge ourselves, get honest with who we are, what we do and what it will be like on our judgement day. In these days we should be preparing for that final judgement. Not to build a self-defense of why we did certain things and why we are a certain way today. We need to prepare but acknowledging our condition and repenting of what needs attention. God loves the repentant child.  The Pharisees “played God” as they condemned other people, but they never considered that God would one day judge them.

What has changed in your mind and attitude about God judging you since becoming a Christian?  How has judging, forgiveness and compassion been formed in your life based on a final judgement?

We are being judged

It is a fact that others will see us and conclude their own judgement. That is not anything we can prevent, even though many of us have tried. God will judge us in the end, but people will judge us right now, and we receive from people exactly what we give. The kind of judgment, and the measure of judgment, comes right back to us. We reap what we have sown.

See Clearly to Help Others

Verses 3-5 are so absurd that it is almost comical, but so practical. The purpose of self-judgment is to prepare us to serve others. Christians are obligated to help each other grow in grace. When we do not judge ourselves, we not only hurt ourselves, but we also hurt those to whom we could minister. The Pharisees judged and criticized others to make themselves look good (Luke 18:9–14). But Christians should judge themselves so that they can help others look good. There is a difference!

In this parable, Jesus chose the symbol of the eye because this is one of the most sensitive areas of the human body. The idea of a 2×4 in one’s eye and trying to help someone with a spec in their eye is so comical, but yet don’t we see that almost every day?

What is your personal take on addressing your own issues before offering help to others? What has been your personal experiences both good and bad?

Using Discernment

His parable ends with a call to judgement. Many times people will just avoid or skip this verse because it almost sounds un-Christian.

Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. – Matthew 7:6

If we did not know better, we might even think, Jesus would never say such a thing. Jesus did include this, because it was very important to him as we reflect on the context he is speaking. Remember the Sermon on the Mount had just concluded and there were thousands still stirring, much like what we might see after a church service. But Jesus pulls his guys aside and instructs them about judging and taking care of their own business and concludes with the idea that what you know will not always be received, and it is okay. He makes the point for us also…

Holy and valuable things should be given only to those able to appreciate them. No specific application is indicated, but we may remember that there is a time to speak and a time to be silent (Ec. 3:7). God’s truth must not be exposed unnecessarily to abuse and mockery. We do need to be reminded that no one has ever been argued into heaven.  If you are ever in a contentious situation, always remember this truth. We must use discernment, not everyone is a sheep. Some people are still goats, dogs, and hogs, and also some are wolves in sheep’s clothing. We are considered His sheep, but we should not allow the wool to be pulled over our eyes.

This week, take some time to really be honest with yourself and judge your heart, mind, actions, words. Remember, we will be judged and held accountable for who we are. Work through the areas that need attention. Take James 5:16 into practice and confess what needs attention then Romans 12:1-2 to make changes in your life, starting now.

Just like Jesus, you have nothing to prove and everything to offer!

Take care of yourself and then be equipped to help others with that spec….

Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mt 7:1–6). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

France, R. T. (1994). Matthew. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 913). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.