Seek Firstনমুনা

Day 3) Others

Three Consequences Of Judging Others

1) It Comes Back On You

“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.” (Matthew 7:1-2 ESV)

Unfortunately, these famous verses are often misunderstood and taken out of context. People hide behind phrases like “judge not” and take them to mean that we should not share truth with others. In the original Greek, the word judge is transliterated as krinó, which means to condemn, damn or avenge. When we judge in this way, we are putting ourselves in the position of God, believing that we know the depths of someone’s heart and can determine their future. This approach reveals that we do not truly know who God is, and a life lived without knowledge of God’s character is exposed and destined for suffering.

2) It Can Distract 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?” (Matthew 7:3-4 ESV)

While we are not called to judge others in the sense of determining whether they are Christians or not, we are called to speak truth to a broken world, always in love (Eph. 4:15). However, this should only be done from a position of humility and self-awareness, recognizing our own sins and shortcomings (the “log” in our own eye). If we spend all our time pointing out the flaws in others, it distracts us from the deep work of transformation that God wants to do in our own lives.

3) It Will Trap You

“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. “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” (Matthew 7:5-6 ESV)

In summary, viewing ourselves as the ultimate judge of others while ignoring the things that need to change in us traps us in an endless cycle of shame, anger and disappointment. Instead, when we choose to seek Him first, His Spirit within us will bring to the surface the areas in our lives that require His loving care and attention. As we are molded and shaped by this love, we will become more loving and caring in the way we treat others!

Big Idea: Judging others from a place of pride or condemnation reveals a lack of self-awareness and a misunderstanding of God’s grace. When we focus on our own transformation through the Holy Spirit, we become more compassionate and discerning in how we engage with others.

Let’s Think About This:

Question 1) Why do you think it's easier to notice the faults in others than to confront your own?

Question 2) How can we speak truth in love without falling into judgmental attitudes?

Question 3) In what ways have you seen God use self-reflection to grow your compassion for others?