What do you think Jesus really mean when he said, “Don’t Judge!”? Understanding this can help us interact better with those around us and connect with God’s purposes. Jesus doesn’t shy away from this issue that’s still very much a problem today.

Matthew 7:1-5 – Don’t judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 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. (Parallel passage – Luke 6:39-42)

As we look at these verses we see that Jesus first gives a few words of instruction – “Don’t judge!”. Then goes on to get personal. Evidently there were some, 2000 years ago, that were quick to point out the sin’s of others. These folks would even offer to help straighten out the sinful person – how kind of them. The problem is that they were overlooking their own sin – they were hypocrites.

So Jesus asks a couple of interesting questions that probably didn’t feel real good. First – “How is it that you notice someone else’s sin while you ignore your own”. Second – “How do you have the nerve to offer to help someone with their sin while you haven’t taken care of yours?“

When we judge others we show our hypocrisy. While we’re attempting to look righteous, upright, and spiritually mature, we’re actually showing the opposite. God’s not fooled by appearances – God deals with reality. There are many Christians today that spend lots of energy pointing out the sins of those around them. The way we know they’re hypocrites is that they’re openly committing sin – their judging. Just to be clear – Jesus’ command to “Judge not” does not mean we don’t recognize and understand the devastating impact of sin. In fact this passage is a plea for us to recognize sin – OUR OWN!

What can we learn here

• We are not to judge others – God will take care of this

• Because judging others is a sin, when we judge others we’re showing our hypocrisy and spiritual immaturity

Closing thoughts

Our role here is not to spend valuable time judging others – God is the judge. We need to spend our time loving sacrificially, praying earnestly, testifying gracefully of Jesus, and depending on God to work in our lives and the lives of those around us. By aligning ourselves with Jesus’ vision we can be real agents of hope.

God can rescue the most obstinate person – let’s not stand in the way.

What do you think? Is negative name calling sin? It’s an easy way for us to level judgment.