“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:1-5
This is a verse that is often misinterpreted. You’ve probably heard someone quote it before. Often, it is quoted when someone wants to do something that the Bible or society says is not something they should do. “Don’t judge me!” they say with an edge to their voice.
This is not, however, what this passage is saying. It’s not saying that we cannot judge what is right and wrong, good and bad. The Bible is clear that we should learn God’s decrees and follow His ways. We should address sin, “if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” (Galatians 6:1)
We should not, however, speak ultimate judgment on the person, saying they are hopelessly condemned as though we, ourselves, are not also mired by sin. Romans 2:1 says,
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
So, yes, we can judge whether an action or lifestyle is right or wrong, for it is God’s Word that is judging this, not us. However, we are not to dictate condemnation for that sin, but rather seek to bring the person to repentance and forgiveness.
The other version I hear frequently is, “Who are you to judge me?! You aren’t perfect!” The idea being that only someone who hasn’t done anything wrong can judge. After all, “let he who has no sin throw the first stone.”
This one is still not correct, but it does point us to a truth that is relevant. The one who is without sin, Jesus Christ, will one day judge. We don’t want to caught in our sin on that day nor do we want our neighbor (or the obnoxious college student yelling at us) to be judged in their sin either.
That is why we gently share the law, that they may feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and also share the Gospel, that they may receive the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. We are all in the same boat. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:23-24)
Dear Jesus,
You are our judge and our redeemer. Thank you for saving me. Help me to share the same grace and truth with others that they may be justified freely by Your grace as well.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
Copyright 2022, Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel. All Rights Reserved.