Don't judge me!

Matthew 7:1- “Judge not, that you be not judged."

You may have heard the above verse quoted a time or two. Generally, this verse is used in order to prove the point that we as Christians should not judge others. People may claim that we shouldn't judge sin, we shouldn't judge right & wrong, truth & falsehood.

While it's true that we are not the ultimate judges by any means- God is- you may be surprised to learn that this verse is not teaching that we shouldn't judge at all. Whaaaat?!

Jesus here does not teach that judgment in and of itself is wrong; rather, he teaches that hypocritical judgment is wrong. He goes on to say...

"For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 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? 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? 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." Matthew 7:2-5

Jesus clearly teaches that, once we've done business with God concerning our own hearts & issues by "taking the log out of your own eye", we then may lovingly help others out by "taking specks out of their eyes." You see, while some people say that we shouldn't judge others at all, others are trigger-happy and judge at the drop of a hat. Jesus abhors both extremes and teaches that we must "judge with right judgment" (John 7:24).

So, we must not always refrain from passing righteous, God-centered,and loving judgment. But at the same time, we must be much quicker to pass judgment on ourselves.