Kingdom Examination

One thing I love about Gen Z and Millennials is how seriously they tend to take self-awareness. You guys don’t just have mirrors—you have mirrors with ring lights, therapy apps, Enneagram numbers, and a 30-minute podcast about why you flinched during a conversation three years ago.

Seriously—this is a generation that has turned introspection into an art form. You don’t just ask, “Did I mess up?” You ask, “Was that a trauma response?” “Is this my inner child?” “Was I projecting?” And I think Jesus would nod and say, “Now you’re getting somewhere.”

Because in Matthew 7:1–6, Jesus says something that sounds simple: “Do not judge.” But then He turns it right back on us and says, “Before you point out the speck in someone else’s eye, deal with the plank in your own.” In other words, you might be out here diagnosing other people’s baggage with a TikTok degree in psychology… while walking around with a 2x4 sticking out of your face.

We must have Gospel Optics

Kingdom Self-Awareness

Matthew 7:1–6 ESV

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

In Matthew 7 Jesus continues to help us work out the

“certainly deals with a Pharisaic vice, that of exalting ourselves by disparaging others, a very cheap way of attaining moral superiority.” Robertson Nicoll

“Kingdom life allows his disciples to live properly in relationship to others. It will free them from both improper judgmental attitudes as well as guard them from gullibility toward the truly hurtful people in this world.” -Michael J. Wilkins

Matthew Judging Others Inappropriately (7:1–5)

hypocrisy means to perform external acts of righteousness that mask, perhaps even from oneself, one’s own inner corruption

Matthew Judging Others Inappropriately (7:1–5)

True disciples, who have been impacted by the mercy of God in the arrival of the kingdom of heaven, will exhibit mercy toward one another, not judgment. Because true disciples have received forgiveness, they will forgive one another.

Do you have a tendency to want to or help other people see their problems before being willing to see your own corruption?

Think about this quote and ask yourself, “How am I doing?” “hypocrisy means to perform external acts of righteousness that mask, perhaps even from oneself, one’s own inner corruption”