Many people know only one verse from the Bible: Judge not. It is often used to mean that no one should ever say anything is wrong. But Jesus meant something richer. In these six verses He warns against a harsh, fault-finding spirit, uses a striking picture of a man with a plank in his eye, and then calls for wisdom in how we share holy things. Families, churches and workplaces are often wounded by critical words. This passage shows us how to deal with sin, ours first, in a way that heals.
The Measure You Use
Jesus says, judge not, that ye be not judged (Matthew 7:1-2). The same measure we use on others will be used on us. Jesus is not forbidding all moral judgment. Later in this same chapter He tells us to recognize false prophets by their fruit. What He forbids is a critical, condemning spirit that assumes the worst, looks down on others and plays God. Paul warns that when we judge another person for the very things we do, we condemn ourselves (Romans 2:1). James reminds us that there is one Lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy, and he asks who we are to judge another (James 4:12). Only God sees every motive and every circumstance. When we remember how much mercy we need, we become slower to condemn and quicker to pray.
Whom have you been quick to criticize lately, and what will you pray for them this week instead?
First Look in the Mirror
Then Jesus draws an almost comic picture (Matthew 7:3-5). A man with a large plank, or beam, in his own eye is trying to remove a tiny speck of sawdust from his brother’s eye. It is impossible and ridiculous. Jesus calls such a person a hypocrite. The cure is to first remove the beam from your own eye. Then you will see clearly to help your brother. Notice that Jesus does want specks removed. He simply insists on the right order. David prayed that God would search him, know his heart and see if there was any wicked way in him (Psalm 139:23-24). Paul tells spiritual believers to restore a fallen brother in the spirit of meekness, considering themselves (Galatians 6:1). Humble self-examination turns a critic into a healer.
Before you correct anyone this week, what is one area of your own life you will honestly bring before God first?
Wisdom with Holy Things
Jesus ends with a surprising warning: do not give what is holy to dogs or cast your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). Right after warning us not to judge harshly, He tells us to use discernment. Some people openly mock and trample on the things of God. We should keep loving them and praying for them, but we need not keep forcing sacred truth on those who scorn it. Proverbs observes that correcting a scorner brings shame, while rebuking a wise man wins his love (Proverbs 9:7-8). When Jesus sent out the twelve, He told them that if a town would not receive them, they should shake the dust off their feet and move on (Matthew 10:14). Balance is the key. We are not harsh judges, but neither are we careless with the precious gospel.
In which relationship do you need to stop arguing about faith and start praying and quietly living it out this week?
Conclusion
Jesus teaches us to drop our harsh judging, to deal with our own sin before pointing at others, and to use wisdom with sacred things. At the center of this passage is humility. We are all sinners saved by grace, standing at the foot of the cross on level ground. Jesus is the only one without a plank in His eye, and yet He came not to condemn the world but to save it. His mercy makes us merciful.
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