Monday: CARING, NOT JUDGING

May 22, 2023
2 min read

Matthew 7:1:6

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Judgement against others is wrong. In today’s society, many people judge groups of people, placing labels on them and comparing them with other groups. Making negative comparisons in judgment; making positive comparisons is a compliment.

Those who judge don’t often see the effects of their sin until they are judged by someone else. Jesus stated, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye.” Jesus calls that person a hypocrite, which means actor. Jesus is God, and He is the only One who is allowed to judge.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS

If I owned something valuable, like pearls, I wouldn’t give them to pigs. Likewise, I don’t respond in kind to those who those who cast judgement, for God himself will judge them. If they are a brother or sister in Christ and can follow the guidelines in Matthew 18:15-20 to confront them about their sin. If they refuse to repent, I can ask one or two others to help show them their sin. If they continue to refuse to repent, I can take the matter before church leadership to address the matter.

In each case, my actions are full of sincerity and hope. If they are not convicted in humility, then the passage tells me to treat them as an unbeliever.

Those who judge may not understand what is happening because they cannot see clearly. If I walk around with a plank in my eye, I will be doing things and saying things that don’t make sense. Judging others is just like this. If I find myself judging, I should confess this to God and seek His forgiveness.

Lord, help me to respond with a caring heart to those around me instead of being judgmental. Help me to love others as I would like to be loved, and as You love them. Amen.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman