First Take the Log Out

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 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? 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? 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.” (Matthew 7:1-5 ESV)

Now a lot of people read verse one, stop there, and decide that all judging is wrong. But not all judging is wrong. In fact, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 says:

“For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you.’”

So all judging is not wrong. We are to judge unrepentant blatant sexual immorality within the church. We are to judge those inside the church according to the Scriptures, and with regard to sin and to lies and to false teachings and to false teachers and hypocrisy, etc. All throughout the New Testament we are taught to make judgements about all sorts of things and people and doctrines and forms of religion, etc. And we are given many instructions in what we are to do with regard to those situations, too.

And in the last devotion titled, “Restore in a Spirit of Gentleness,” we are encouraged to make a judgment about someone who is caught in a sin and in order to restore that person back to proper working condition, spiritually speaking (Galatians 6:1-5). And in another passage we are encouraged that, if anyone among us (the church) wanders from the faith and someone brings him back (into proper relationship with the Lord), whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death (James 5:19-20).

And then we read in John 7:24: “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” And we read this in Jude 1:22-23: “And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” And in order to have mercy and to save people and to snatch them out of the fire it involves us making judgments with regard to their spiritual condition. Otherwise, what are we saving and snatching them from?

And then we read this in Romans 2:3: “Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?” And we read this in 2 Corinthians 10:12: “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” So, what issues are being dealt with here?

What I see here is that the Bible teaches us not to judge falsely, to not judge hypocritically, and to not judge others by ourselves, presuming that they are like us and therefore their motivations for doing what they do are the same as ours. And we are not to judge by appearances, for we may have the wrong impression by appearances alone, either in favor of a person or in disfavor of them. So we are to be fair in all our judgments. And we should not judge people without even hearing their side of the story.

Also we should not judge others by human standards and by cultural or religious or family traditions and practices, i.e. we should not judge them by what we do and by what we have been taught to do or not to do if it is something of the flesh and of culture and religion that is man-made religion. We should also not judge by hate and prejudice nor by upbringing. But all judging must be biblical, and it needs to be done in love, always with the goal to love other humans as Jesus loved us and died to set us free from sin.

Galatians 6:1-5; James 5:19-20; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Matthew 7:1-5; John 7:24,51; John 8:15-16; Romans 2:3; 2 Corinthians 10:12; Jude 1:22-23

So, it isn’t that we are not to make judgments at all, but that we are to make just and kind and loving and honest judgments for the good of other people. And so we have this example in today’s passage which scolds the person who makes judgments against someone who has a minor fault, and perhaps only one offense ever, but while he (or she) has a humongous offense against God going on within his own heart, mind, and actions, which is deliberate and habitual and premeditated and harmful to others.

So this, in particular, is addressing the issue of hypocritical judging, which was also addressed in Romans 2:1-5. So, all judging is not wrong. What is wrong is hypocritical, false, unfair, unjust, prejudicial, hateful, spiteful, and lying judgments which are based on the flesh of humans and on their own thinking and reasoning and practices and culture and traditions, and on their own character and way of doing things, and not on the word of God, and not out of a heart of love and genuine heartfelt concern for them.

So, when you must judge, make certain that your judgment is fair, honest, loving, kind, merciful, compassionate, helpful, and biblically founded, even if you must exercise tough love and speak the truth in love to others who may not want to hear it or accept it. And judge rightly, not from the flesh. First take the log out of your own eye, then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s (or sister’s) eye, i.e. first make certain you are not engaged in sinful behaviors before you try to correct others’ mistakes.

As the Deer 

By Martin J. Nystrom

Based off Psalm 42:1

As the deer panteth for the water

 So my soul longeth after You

 You alone are my heart's desire

 And I long to worship You

You alone are my strength, my shield

 To You alone may my spirit yield

 You alone are my heart's desire

 And I long to worship You

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZv3jzOTE70

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