Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
Growing up I had a fear of being judged, in being honest, I can find myself slipping down this road again at times. Why do we do this? For myself, growing up what I saw as, various obstacles, made me think our family was different. Parents with multiple failed marriages, addictions to alcohol or drugs, abuse, and to top it off being very poor. My mind or heart as a child was not set on a richness in being content in the Lord, but on a worldly expectation of keeping up with others or appearing to have it all figured out. I worried (worry) what others thought about me and/or my family? (Thank you Lynden for a great reflection on not worrying. )
When I was younger, if people knew what happened in my house, what would they think? How would they look at me? Would they even like me? In my head the answer was no. So what did I do? I became a master of pointing out what others where doing wrong. Sadly at times, made fun of others. I was judging others and pointing out others shortcomings trying to get the spotlight off my dysfunctional family and self. I was tearing down others to try to build myself up. How sad…. I’m sorry for my insecurities and have prayed many prayers of apology whole heartedly for my lack of understanding of our real judge. My hurting of others through my words or actions caused genuine pain, while honestly looking in the mirror caused more?
So what does this scripture mean? Why do I share that sad story of an insecure young man? Because the struggle can be real for many. We have fear of any kind of failure, and when we do mess up it’s a lot easier to call out others to get the magnifying glass of ourselves.
I have really loved digging into various scriptures on not judging others. Knowing that we have but one Father, one Judge, one that has put us in His perfect place allowing us to trust Him. He pulled me out of a selfish pit and helps me to share my story. As we have said the phrase before audience of 1.
Here are some scriptures that can help you to walk a mile in anyone else’s shoes. That can help us to see others like God sees each of us.
Luke 6:37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.
1 Corinthians 4:3 As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. 4 My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.
Jesus is telling us to examine our own motives and actions. What we tend to call out in others is often what we need to reflect on ourselves. The world teaches us to judge people by their appearance. But God doesn’t judge people by how they look — and neither should we.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.”
2 Timothy 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
Dear Father,
You know our hearts. Continue to due open heart surgery to help to know, trust, and show your love to all others. God please remind us of you being the only judge and for us to first seek your kingdom in everything we do. God we can’t do this, the world pulls us many directions. But you can! Your wisdom, knowledge, and love blankets us. Thank you Lord for being our one true judge. Amen
Psalm 119:66
I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
Today’s Reading Matthew 7:1-5, Psalm 83