Read Matthew 7:1-5

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at 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,’ and behold, the log is 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.”

“Don’t judge me”
“You’re so judgmental”

The most famous verse in the bible used by nearly everyone who doesn’t want to hear someone tell him or her how to live his or her life.

“Well the bible says, “Do not judge” so I don’t want to say anything.”

We have so misinterpreted and misused this verse to basically either continue on in our sin, or become cowardice in speaking truth.   Somehow being “judgmental” has become the worst sin of our culture.

But in reality, we all judge. Every single one of us passes judgment on people every single day. Can I just come out and say, I don’t think all judgment is bad, and I don’t think Jesus did either.

Notice what He is instructing on in these verses? It’s not that we are to never judge, but to not do so as hypocrite. His instructions here are to avoid hypocrisy. Whatever standard of judgment we use with others, we better be sure we can stand up to it ourselves.

In other words, Jesus is warning us of judging others while we commit the same or even worse sin.

He’s referring to someone telling others not to “get drunk” while they have a hangover.

Or the person who speaks out against homosexuality, yet secretly watches porn at night.

Or the religious person who tells others to care for the poor, yet doesn’t lift a finger to help those in need.

How can we call out the speck in our brother’s eye and ignore the plank in our own?

Before we speak into another’s life about sin, we better be sure and search our own hearts for any hypocrisy. For some, this verse means we need to be careful to speak less, and search our hearts for hypocrisy first. For others, it means we need to speak up more, and call out sin if the plank in our own eye is removed.

Notice, the assumption here is not that we will never speak or judge. Jesus tells us; first we must remove the plank from our own eye. We need to speak truth to one another, not as hypocrites, but as fellow partakers in the Gospel.

1. What instructions does Jesus give before judging others?

2. According to this passage, is all judgment wrong? Why or why not?

3. Is there a plank in your eye? If so, what steps can you take to remove it?