^7:1 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? (Matthew 7:1-3 ESV)

By: Scott Schuler

I have a hard time not judging the blatant disregard of God’s Truth in our culture. Maybe that’s why these verses from Matthew 7 make me want to vomit.

It’s easier for me to condemn what I see in others than to extend grace.

I wonder if you feel the same way? Or are you more compassionate and less likely to judge than me?

I believe the reason my mind goes to a place of condemnation is because of my desire to seek “justice” in this world. God put a yearning in my soul to help others get right with Jesus. And sometimes my mind allows this yearning to get the best of me.

Are you quick to judge, pointing out the “speck” in the eye of your family member or neighbor?

Or do you pray for God to reveal His Truth and love to them, as He so mercifully showed you?

We often judge in others the junk we don’t like about ourselves.

Perhaps that’s why Jesus never judged. Because He didn’t have any junk in His heart.

What do we do with this?

First, ask Jesus to forgive the way we judge others. The Lord knows we don’t want God to judge us the way we judge others.

Second, pray for those you are judging. Because when we pray, Jesus draws us into His presence where He sheds light on our own faults and heals our heart. And you never know what God can do with our interceding. Maybe the people we are judging will come to know Jesus and receive the same grace that we have so lovingly been given.

Ask for forgiveness. Then spend time in prayer lifting up all those you judge. I know it’s a tough pill to swallow. But we can swallow this now, instead of on “judgment” day when we’re standing before Jesus giving Him an account for our life.

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