Relationships in the SoM

Relationships (Judge)

Verse 1. Jesus comes right out and tells us to “Judge not.” Jesus comes right out of the gate swinging. He hits the audience straight in the face. However, the question is, “Why judge not?” “What does he mean by judge?” Well I am glad you asked, because Jesus tells us what he means in the following verses.

It says in verse 2 “For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” We see something interesting in verse two. The standard we are using to judge other people, is the same standard that is applied to your life. This should cause us to be a little uneasy, because everyone in this room can remember the last time they judged someone. Think about it. Think about what you thought about the person. Sometimes our judgemental spirit is not always voiced. Most of the time it is thought…which is still wrong. Now I want you to think about how you would feel if you heard the judgement from other people the same way you judged someone. It is not a good feeling right? No one wants to be judged critically. Take constructive criticism from a coach or a teacher or even your parents. It does not seem constructive at the moment, but then it helps us be better at what we are doing. I never liked when my coach criticized my ball handling skills, but it made me prioritize getting better at them, which then resulted in me being a better ball handler. This type of judgement is not what this passage is talking about. It is not talking about constructive criticism, but rather destructive criticism.

English Standard Version Chapter 7

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.

Jesus addressed a problem of major proportions in relationships, that of noticing others’ personality flaws to the exclusion of our own weaknesses. The approach of true humility recognizes and begins to work on our own faults first. We will do this when we step into the other persons shoes and judge things from their perspective. This order builds from the essence of the Law and Prophets sometimes referred to as the Golden Rule. (Disciples Bible CSB note on , pg 1424)

I think it is easy for us to see other peoples faults and failures than our own. You know, when I get mad about other peoples pridefulness, I probably need to go check to see if I am being prideful in my life. Imagine the imagery of verses 3 and 4 with me. How can you see a speck in someones eye, when theres a log in your eye? Impossible, the log should be blinding you. Consider this: How can you take a spec out (even with the “right” intentions” when you cannot see because there’s a log in your eye? You cant. The point Jesus is making is that if you are going to call someone out on their sin, you better make sure you are being weak in the same area. DO NOT allow the feeling of helping other people with their problems be the reason you never fix your problems.

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

You see, states that we are called to not be living in our sin/the worldliness but rather, we are to live a life of holiness. This means our entire being is to look more and more like Christ. Therefore, we need to work on our sinful nature before we start judging others by their sinfulness.

states that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Stop judging people based on their sin when you are just as sinful.

Verse 5 is now discussing how we can help one another…by getting our hearts right, then we can humbly help someone else with the correct motives.

English Standard Version Chapter 7

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.