Matthew 7:1-6 Judging Others

"Don't judge!" is a favorite quote I use when I don't want people evaluating or scrutinizing my life or that of people close to me. It is usually accompanied by: "God is the only judge." But the statement is not a teaching against discerning what is right and wrong. If we were to withhold our judgment in this life, we would live in anarchy (this may appeal to some people). It is a strong prohibition against what I will call improper judgment. 

Judgment calls for self-examination. It is improper for me to see someone else's fault and not my own. Jesus calls it hypocritical. Also, judgment should move me to help others. It is improper to pronounce final judgment and condemnation (that is God's prerogative) on anyone. My motivation and goal in evaluating or scrutinizing should be to help.

Here is the deal! To be able to help, I have to make sure I am in a position to help. Jesus used an exaggeration to state his point: I can't remove a speck from someone else's eye if I have a log in mine. Imagine trying to remove an eyelash from a friend's eye while having sand in my own eyes - it is impossible! I wouldn't be able to see a thing! I need to have clean eyes to examine and help someone else.

Judgment, scrutiny with the intent to help, must also know its limits. It is improper to go after people who don't want to be helped. Jesus used two images to make this point: giving what is holy to dogs and throwing pearls to pigs. Dogs and pigs, in those days, were scavengers; they fed on refuse. It was a waste to throw valuable things at them. Getting a speck out of an eye requires focus and concentration of both parties. It is hard to do while one is kicking, screaming, and trying to get away. 

Lord, help me be a true brother in the kingdom. May I withhold my judgments if I am not willing to deal with my own flaws. May my motivation in evaluating someone else's life be to help.  Prepare me to help other people when needed. Instruct me when to stop offering my help to those who don't want it.