Matthew Chapter 7
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
(Matthew 7:1-2).
Lord Jesus teaches us that “Do not judge others” is against the kind of hypocritical. He wants us to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others. Because often the characteristics that bother us in others are the habits we have ourselves. Many times, our bad habits and behavior are those we most want to change in others. It is a good thing to help our brother with his speck, but not before dealing with the plank (our own sin) in our own eye, which is much greater (Matthew 7:3-4).
Perhaps many times, we find it easy to magnify other people’s faults while excusing our own faults. Moreover, we might judge that we are a better Christian, and we are more righteous than others. When we consider ourselves better than others, that is arrogant. If we would like to criticize someone, first let us check to see if we deserve the same criticism, otherwise God will measure unto us according to the same measure we use for others.
Nevertheless, Lord Jesus did not teach us to overlook wrong behavior, but He wants us to discern. Apostle Paul teaches us that we should exercise church discipline and to confront those who are sinning (1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 12-13) and trust God to be the final judge (1 Corinthians 4:3-5).
So, let us not judge others but to love and forgive our enemies. If we want love, forgiveness, and goodness from God, we should give more of them to others.
