Do not judge so that you will not be judged. "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at 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,' and behold, the log is 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. "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces (Matthew 7:1-6).
I have heard people flippantly say to others, Judge not lest you be judged, as a way to excuse their sinful behavior. While there is an element of truth in this statement, it misses the mark. Instead of a way to deflect a charge, it is a warning not to be critical of others. More importantly, not to elevate yourself to the position of someone’s judge. This admonition is against a judgment of condemnation.
There is not a day that goes by that you do not sin. So, the idea here is seeing a small sin, a speck, in your brother’s eye and not seeing a log in your own eye is clearly hypocritical.
If we have a heart so callous to our own sin, and we hold ourselves in such high esteem that our sin is not the same as others, then we will suffer judgment. We will be judged by others as harsh and unforgiving; and we will be judged by Christ at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).
Having a hyper-critical attitude can tear believers apart. Yes we are to use discernment in the body of Christ. Yes we are to deal with sin, but always in love. Even if we must put someone out, the purpose is for their good; that they would repent and be restored. So, I leave you with the following.
Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more" (John 8:3-11).
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