[1] Judge not, that you be not judged. [2] For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. [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. [6] Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. ~ Matthew 7:1-6
Jesus wasn’t saying “never judge.” Jesus as saying “judge correctly.” Many of us, hold others to a higher standard than we hold ourselves. We allow ourselves to think more of ourselves than we ought. This is why Jesus warned us to get ourselves together before we judge someone else.
Jesus wasn’t just speaking to random people either. Jesus was specifically speaking to the Pharisees who held themselves as not only righteous, but more righteous than anyone else, even though they didn’t keep the Law perfectly. Even though they were flawed. Even though they denied the Messiah and missed His coming, they felt they were more righteous than all others.
So, Jesus was explaining to them that they were holding others to a higher standard than they held themselves. That they were overlooking their own sins and shortcomings but not others. So, Jesus was warning them that when you live your life however you feel and disregard God’s Law, as they condemn others, they would receive that same level of merciless judgment from God.
As Christians we cannot hold others to a higher standard than we hold ourselves. But also as Christians we cannot refuse to hold ourselves or anyone else to no standard at all. We are to love others and ourselves. Love means to take no pleasure in evil but rejoice only in the Truth. So what are we to do? We are to remove that log before we judge the actions of others for how can a hypocrite save anyone?
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Remove It First.