BEWARE JUDGMENTALISM
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Opening Prayer
Loving and Faithful Father, thank you for the hope that is mine because you gave your Son for me. Thank you, for in him, there is peace and joy that surpasses all understanding.
Read MATTHEW 7:1—6
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Matthew
Matthew 7
1 “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 then turn and tear you to pieces.
Reflect
“Let anyone of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone…”1
When Jesus teaches about not judging, he is not talking about the brain going into neutral. Making moral distinctions and distinguishing between truth and error is essential (vv. 15—20).2 Rather, these verses warn about judgmentalism, taking the superior position, finding fault, and putting others down. Being judgmental about others is never our role—it’s God’s alone. Ironically, our judgments of others can sometimes mirror our own weaknesses. Watch out when you deem another proud and arrogant—because that may be exactly how they view you.3
The story of the two brothers combines humor with pain. Knowing how precious clear eyesight is, one brother comes into view with a long plank sticking out of his eye (v. 3). Yes, it’s absurd. Imagine how difficult it is as he clumsily knocks into things! It’s even more ridiculous when he dares to point out the speck in his brother’s eye. What a potent picture of hypocrisy, seeing a defect in another while being massively defective yourself! Within Jesus’ kingdom, his followers should be sensitive and mature enough not to act as critical judges, but as brothers and sisters concerned for truth in love. Does this teaching prepare the way for addressing the key issue of resolving conflicts between believers within the church?4
Up until this point, Jesus has focused on right attitudes among his followers—his be-attitude disciples. However, mention of dogs and pigs describes others who have scant regard for the precious truth of gospel pearls. Disciples are not to be naive by failing to discern when there is hostility with no hope of people receiving good news. Jesus’ message is too good to be wasted when persistent rejection is obvious.
Apply
Within my church relationships, have I been guilty of judging someone with a speck in their eye? How can I best repair the relationship?
Closing prayer
O Lord of Justice, who alone sees the whole picture about other people’s lives, help me to keep my critical spirit in check and see others as you do.
1 John 8:8 2 See also John 7:24 3 Rom 2:1 4 Matt 18:15.
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