Judgment

If you take an honest look at the world we live in, it’s hard not to see judgment everywhere. As hard as I try, I know that I am guilty of it. When I see the young girl walking down the street with her shorts hiked way up, my first thought isn’t always a concern for her salvation. Sometimes, before I can even catch myself, I pass judgment.

When I am cut off in my car, I don’t always think about where that person might be heading so quickly. Perhaps, they just got a phone call regarding an ailing relative’s declining health. Or perhaps, they are on their third strike at work, had to drop their kids off at school, and are running late.  Maybe they’re worried that they’ll be jobless, penniless, and homeless with three starving kids. Or, maybe — just maybe — they didn’t even see me because they were having some very important quiet time with God. But do I consider these things? Maybe after I pass judgment.

I have met my fair share of judgmental people. If you had asked me 10 years ago, I would have told you that I was NOTHING like them. After all, some of them judged me without even getting to know me, basing their judgment on a rumor that they had heard. Others misinterpreted something I may have said and never gave me an opportunity to explain. Still, others judged me for where I lived, how I dressed, how I looked, etc. Upon meeting me, they decided right then and there that I wasn’t cool enough for the cool kids club. I didn’t judge like that, so it came as a shock when I found out that the world did.

How naive and hypocritical. Now, whenever the Holy Spirit reminds me that I am judging another, I remember that old and reliable speck/plank verse. It helps put things into perspective. Am I perfect? No way! Do I still slip and judge? Everyday. But does it remind me that I should be looking inward instead of outward? Absolutely.

This important verse appears in the Gospel of the New Testament in the books of Matthew and Luke. Here’s a little background before we delve into the verse, itself.

After being baptized by John, Jesus was passing through Galilee and stopped to rest on a mountain not far from Capernaum. It was there that He delivered the Sermon on the Mount, some of His most highly-regarded early teachings. They were recorded in chapters five through seven in the book of Matthew. It covers several different topics including The Beatitudes. It also covers Anger and Murder, Lust and Adultery, Revenge, Love, Heaven, and yes, judgment.

During the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:1-5), Jesus explains His view on judgment. He says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “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? 4 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? 5 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.”

We are exactly who Jesus was referring to here. How often do we look at the speck of sawdust in our brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in our own? How often do we gaze at someone’s outward appearance or actions without compassion and empathy? Do we really take the time to get to know someone before we decide whether they are a good person or a bad person? Or do we rely on what we hear from the gossip spreading rumor weeds? Are we really any better than those we judge?

Even though we may say, “Duh, everyone knows we’re not supposed to judge others because we learn that in kindergarten”, we don’t always put that knowledge into practice. Sometimes we even judge those who’s lives and sins were chronicled in Scripture. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read about Moses or Jonah and thought, “I would never question God like that!” But I have.

Or read about David’s adultery with Bathsheba and thought, “I would never lust after another person’s spouse!” But I have.

Or read the crucifixion story and, feeling disgusted with Judas’s actions, thought, “I would never betray Jesus like that.” But I have.

And what about the way humanity treated its savior when they condemned, denied, cursed, hung, and mocked Him? I can’t tell you how many times I have read that and thought, “Those people were just despicable human beings! How could they do that to an innocent man? I would never do any of those things!” But I have.

Every time we disregard Jesus’s teachings at the Sermon on the Mount and commit sin, we are no better than any of these people. Just because we didn’t participate in the literal act of murdering Jesus, that doesn’t mean that we don’t do it to our fellow man today. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus tells us that when people are hungry and we feed them or without clothes and we clothe them, we are doing it for Him. So when we treat those around us despicably or have hatred in our hearts toward someone, we are doing it to Jesus too.

Each time that we judge someone, we are shouting “Crucify Him” at Jesus. We are no better than them.

We are like those who cursed at and spat on Jesus, when we let that curse word slip, and use His name in vain.

And, we are denying our Savior (as Peter did) when we don’t rely on or trust God and we become fearful of our circumstances.

We are no better than the guards who were merciless toward Jesus. They refused to provide Him with water, as He hung on the cross. Because there is a dry and thirsting world out there. And, we neglect to share our faith and deprive the world of living water. We are no better than them.

And every time that we have a hateful thought against our neighbor, we are driving the nails further into Jesus’s hands and feet. We are no better than the men that drove them into His innocent flesh.

So, do not point out the speck in your brother’s eye until you have acknowledged the plank in your own. It’s that simple. Because God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27), when we judge our neighbors, we are judging God’s handiwork. God does not make imperfect people. The world makes imperfect people. The paths we take make imperfect people. People make imperfect people. God creates masterpieces. And when we enter this world and fall into imperfection, God still has the ability to use us mightily.

When we neglect to acquaint ourselves with one another or we lack understanding of each others plights, we are not projecting the selfless love of Christ. We are not planting seeds or spreading the good news. We are not even giving them a chance to come to know Him (if they don’t already)!?!? And the world needs to experience the love of Jesus.

Jesus came down to this earth, knowing that those He came to save from eternal condemnation, would condemn Him. They would shout, “Crucify Him!” Yet, He died for them.

Jesus came down to this earth with the knowledge of what His future held. He knew that we would torture and whip Him, judge and deny Him, spat upon and mock Him, hang and dehydrate Him. Yet, He died for everyone involved.

And He died for us too. But He will also be the final judge, separating the righteous from the non-believers. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” Matthew 25:31-33.

So, the next time you judge someone, remember that you are judging a person that Jesus felt was worthy of salvation. Because to Jesus, we are all cool enough for the cool kids club.

When we judge others, we are questioning the handiwork of God. We are questioning His purpose and His plan.

And remember that, when we judge, we are trying to remove Jesus from the throne. He is the only one worthy to judge. Our judgment does nothing to influence His opinion of anyone… but us. He has the final say.

So, instead of judging, show compassion, understanding, empathy, and love to your neighbor. Get to know them. Look at them through God’s eyes. See in them what He saw when He created them. Give them a chance!!!!

Father, forgive us when we look at others in a manner that does not align with what You have taught us. Holy Spirit, convict us when we do not follow God’s Word and judge another. Remind us that we are judging the very people that Jesus came to save. Give us a nudge in the right direction and keep us from passing judgment. Teach us how to love the way You loved, Lord. And remind us that You did not come to this earth to save the righteous but the sinners. Lord, some of the best people we meet in this life-time might not look, dress, or sound like us. But that doesn’t make them bad people. Remind us of this on a daily basis. Thank you for your ever-present word that we can always rely on when we need correction. In Jesus Name. Amen.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and have been struggling with judgment, please visit our Life Preserver page. It can be found at https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/. God wants to heal you in the worst way! Allow Him the chance! When you visit this page, please pray the prayer that is outlined there and reach out to me at admin@forgiven-n-loved.com. I would love to be in prayer for you!