By Stephanie Smith, Missionary to Ukraine
Judging Others – Matthew 7:1-6
Matthew 7:1 may be one of the most quoted verses in the Bible: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” In this passage, Jesus is speaking not only about judgment, but also about hypocrisy and self-awareness.
This does not mean that Christians should never make judgments about right and wrong. Rather, it invites us to become aware of our own sins. God wants us to reflect on our own lives and sins before accusing someone else. Jesus provides an example of this in John 8:3-11, when the Pharisees bring Him a woman caught in adultery. He tells them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her,” (John 8:7). In this moment, Jesus demonstrates that no one is without sin—no one is righteous enough to throw the first stone. Jesus, being the only righteous one, responds to the woman by straightening her up and telling her to go and leave her life of sin. He approaches her with compassion and love, not criticism and self-righteousness.
Matthew 7:2 continues,“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” This should bring pause to any person who is about to judge others since it provides a direct consequence for the action. Jesus is not prohibiting all judgment, but He highlights that judgment should be fair and by the same standard we would want applied to ourselves. Stephen Covey says it this way: “We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behaviour.” It is easy to point out when someone else does wrong, but much more painful to deal with the sins in our own lives. Jesus illustrates this by saying, “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? 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? 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 7:3-5).
None of the Pharisees threw a stone. Not even one. They were the scholars, teachers, and leaders of the time. They had the most knowledge regarding the Jewish law and its consequences. Yet each one of them “began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there,” (John 8:9). Although Jesus could see the huge planks in their eyes, they themselves had not yet been bothered by them.
It is important to note that Jesus never said it was wrong to help a brother with a speck in his eye. It is a good thing to help brothers and sisters out—in love. “Do to others as you would have them do to you,” (Luke 6:31). Yet this should only be done after we deal with our own sins. In other words, in the flight of life, put your own oxygen mask on first before assisting others.
Sometimes, we are so deep in our sins that we do not know how to deal with them. We might stop feeling guilty because it has become what we “always do,” what we have grown used to. But Jesus knows. He can help us recognize the planks in our lives that we have not yet dealt with.
After all this, Jesus explains that discernment is still important. Matthew 7:6 says, “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.” If you notice a brother’s or sister’s sin, be wise in how you address it. Make sure they are prepared to receive the wisdom or “pearl.” Pray that God has prepared both your heart and theirs, and seek godly wisdom in how to communicate.
If you would like to start self-reflecting in your own sins, you can pray the following:
Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus’ words to me. Thank you for your love. Thank you that your word is true and continues to teach me something every time I return to it. As I read and study your word, make it come alive in my life. Jesus, would you continue to speak to me? Guard my mind in your Spirit and let me hear only from you. Guard me from the enemy and let me hear your voice. At this time, would you reveal to me one place in my life where I am not living in truth? I do not want to be a hypocrite. Help me to understand where I fall short of your goodness. Shape me to be more like you and respond with unconditional love. Help me to see others the way you see them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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