Are You a Judge?

I sigh every time I hear someone quote this verse: “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1).  I sigh, because most of the time that you hear someone use this verse, what they are really trying to say is, “Don’t tell me how to live my life.  Don’t tell me that I’m doing something wrong.  I’ll live the way I want, and you can’t stop me.”  What most people don’t realize is that this verse doesn’t say not to look at a person’s actions and make a judgement of right or wrong.  They make this mistake because the verse is taken completely out of context (I know, you would never do that.  Neither would I!).  For this verse to make sense, you have to read the entire passage.   Here are verses 2-5.

2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.  3 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?  4 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?  5 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.  

The instruction is to self-righteous, hypocritical people who want to tell other people how they are messing up, when in reality those same people are living sinful, messed up lives.  It would be like Dave Ramsey trying to give financial advice after he declares bankruptcy.  The integrity of the judgment just isn’t there.  Jesus instructs his listeners to examine their lives.  If, after examination, they are found to be living righteous, God-honoring lives, then they are free to approach someone who is doing wrong and point out the problem.  However, if they are not righteous and God-honoring, then they should be quiet until their own problems are cleared up.

This command cuts both ways.  If someone who is doing wrong is approached by a godly person who is trying to help fix a problem, then that person should listen to what is said and correct the issue.  That is what this is all about.  

This whole premise hinges around the idea that the person who is trying to correct the issue is a godly person.  Jesus exhorts us, commands us, even demands of us, that we examine our own lives to see if we are living a righteous, God-honoring life.  If the answer is no, then fix it before you try to tell someone else how to fix their life.  If the answer is yes, then expect some blowback if you’re trying to help someone.

So, in a nutshell, here it is - Don’t be a hypocrite!