Matt 7:1-3 = “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?"
This is something I struggle with, I admit. I tend to think negatively about other people and make assumptions about the motives behind their actions or words. SO many arguments with my husband would have been prevented if I'd taken the time to ask him, "What did you mean with you said this?" or "Why did you use that word?" It's easy for me to see a perceived sin in Mike but ignore my sin, and ignore that my harsh judgement of him is sin!
In the above verses, Jesus doesn’t mince words here, does he?! The Pharisees were notorious for pointing out the speck in someone's eye while ignoring the log in their own. They wanted people to abide by THEIR rules and ignored the love of God. Jesus pointed out a few things that are helpful to take note of:
~ Judging separates us from the truth - it's me doing the pronouncing, not God.
~ It opens the door for me to be judged - by the same measure I judge, I will be judged!
~ I need to 1st ask God to show me my own sin - I need to see the log before I can correctly help you with your speck.
~ Finally, the purpose of judging is to help you grow closer to God - not to make you more like me!
So, this sounds like something that should not be entered into lightly. I should not be quick to judge others until I've prayerfully considered HOW and WHEN to bring the observation up.
Lysa quotes Melanie Chitwood on page 110 "God is challenging me to examine my spoken and unspoken judgments of others. He wants us to come alongside others and help carry their burdens, rather than add to them with our criticism. Where the Pharisees heap coals of judgement, Jesus calls us to be vessels of His love and encouragement."
DISCUSSION: How can you be a vessel of God's love instead of casting judgment on someone?
This is something I struggle with, I admit. I tend to think negatively about other people and make assumptions about the motives behind their actions or words. SO many arguments with my husband would have been prevented if I'd taken the time to ask him, "What did you mean with you said this?" or "Why did you use that word?" It's easy for me to see a perceived sin in Mike but ignore my sin, and ignore that my harsh judgement of him is sin!
In the above verses, Jesus doesn’t mince words here, does he?! The Pharisees were notorious for pointing out the speck in someone's eye while ignoring the log in their own. They wanted people to abide by THEIR rules and ignored the love of God. Jesus pointed out a few things that are helpful to take note of:
~ Judging separates us from the truth - it's me doing the pronouncing, not God.
~ It opens the door for me to be judged - by the same measure I judge, I will be judged!
~ I need to 1st ask God to show me my own sin - I need to see the log before I can correctly help you with your speck.
~ Finally, the purpose of judging is to help you grow closer to God - not to make you more like me!
So, this sounds like something that should not be entered into lightly. I should not be quick to judge others until I've prayerfully considered HOW and WHEN to bring the observation up.
Lysa quotes Melanie Chitwood on page 110 "God is challenging me to examine my spoken and unspoken judgments of others. He wants us to come alongside others and help carry their burdens, rather than add to them with our criticism. Where the Pharisees heap coals of judgement, Jesus calls us to be vessels of His love and encouragement."
DISCUSSION: How can you be a vessel of God's love instead of casting judgment on someone?