Matthew 7:1-12
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “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? 4 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? 5 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.
6 “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.
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. [1]
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Jesus’ comments on judging are often taken out of context and misapplied. Jesus does not intend to forbid us from making judgments on the actions of others. In fact, later in this chapter, He will be instructing us to make judgments regarding false teachers. What he warns against in these verses is hypocritical judgment.
Once again Jesus is most concerned with the condition of our hearts, what’s going on within us. Am I ignoring my own faults while focusing on the faults of others? Are my words of correction intended to convey love and support, rather than hurt?
Jesus does want us to address the speck in our neighbor’s eye, but more important is that we first deal with the plank in our own. More important is that we are addressing our own spiritual faults and our own need for repentance and forgiveness. The faults of others are not to be cause for smugness, pride and condescension. Rather, the faults of others should first lead us into contemplation of our own faults, our own need for correction.
And where do we go as Christians when we contemplate our own faults? Jesus would then have us direct our gaze to Him, and His cross, and the forgiveness that we have there, the forgiveness He has called us to share.
Jesus, when I see the faults of those around me, turn my gaze toward my own errors, and my own need for repentance. Fill me with compassion, love, and forgiveness toward those around me, that I may be your hands, your voice, and your heart in their lives.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Mt 7:1–12). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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