Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-3
There are many times in life when we must face the consequences of our actions and decisions. Maybe this is before parents as they give out consequences for something we did, maybe in school at a parent-teacher conference, or as an adult, through job evaluations or literally standing in court to give an account for something we have done. At the least, these are not moments we usually get excited about. We are often not looking forward to feedback when we know we have done wrong.
Though we don’t like that place of criticism and scrutiny, we often have no problem issuing judgment on others. For example, we see a social media post and think, “How could they possibly think that way?” With that single judgment, we distance ourselves from them instead of empathizing with them as co-image bearers who face many of the same struggles we do. Jesus warned that this will only hurt us in the end. Instead, Jesus calls us to assess our own hearts before going to others. As we do, it will impact the way we engage with and show compassion to others, even when we disagree.
- What does it look like to focus more on your own need for Jesus than the shortcomings of others around you?
- How does this change the way we view others?
- Pray and repent for the ways you have judged others and ask God to show you where you need to submit to and repent before Him.
