Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.
2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
3 Why do you see 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,’ when there is the log 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.
Often what we don't like in someone else is really what we don't like in ourself. You've probably heard the phrase, "that's the pot calling the kettle black." In other words, we often judge someone harshly for something we too have done.
Many immediately jump to Matthew 7:1-5 to assert that you shouldn't judge their behavior. There is much misunderstanding surrounding this passage. Comprehending the context will aid us in properly expounding on the subject of judging.
The real heart of Jesus' words here is to FIRST judge yourself. It doesn't mean that judgment cannot be given at all. If that were the case, then no preacher could preach against sin for "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Thus, any sinner could quote Matthew 7 and say, "don't judge me!"
However, the Bible also declares that "judgment begins at the house of God." When the preacher is preaching and "judgment" is the tone of the sermon, if his heart is right with God, the result will be repentance, mercy, and forgiveness.
A quick look through the Bible proves this.
God was ready to bring judgment against Nineveh. Jonah disobeyed God BEFORE going to Nineveh. The Ninevites could have said, "don't judge us" but Jonah had repented and judged himself first. This allowed him to clearly speak the judgment of God upon them. However, the wild card in the deck was played by the people of Nineveh. They chose to repent and clothe themselves in sackcloth and ashes, and intreat God for forgiveness. God gave them reprieve from His judgment due to their repentance.
You see, true judgment shouldn't leave a person without an exit strategy!
Condemnation (the wrong type of judging) tells you that you've sinned. But condemnation doesn't leave you any hope of escaping judgment.
Conviction (the right type of judging) tells you that you've sinned. But conviction also tells you how to overcome that sin and live victoriously.
In our text for today, the Pharisees were whited sepulchers on the outside. They looked the part, acted the part, even sounded right. But Jesus knew their heart. He knew what was inside. They were full of dead mens bones! In other words, they were passing judgment on the people while they themselves were full of sin.
The lesson of Matthew 7:1-5 is "don't judge someone else if you are full of sin." Instead, remove your sin first (the beam in your eye), then help someone else remove theirs! Remember, if you judge unjustly - full of your own sin - God will also judge you accordingly. Trust me; you don't want that to happen.
Once we've judged ourselves honestly before the Lord by removing the weights and the sin that easily besets us and blinds us to the truth, we are then able to see more clearly to help others. After all, those who've been delivered from the guilt and shame of their own sin are able to help others who are bound by the same chains of darkness.
