Do not judge
Matthew 7:1–5
Do not judge walks through Matthew 7:1–5. Below you’ll find the verses laid out clearly, plus a few reflections to help you linger with what God is saying—not to rush past it.
Verses
1
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.
Insights
- Jesus warns against a harsh, hypocritical spirit of judging others—you will be judged by the same standard you use.
- How you judge others sets the measure by which you will be judged: “with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
- It is easy to notice small faults in others (the speck) while ignoring far bigger issues in ourselves (the plank).
- You cannot credibly help someone with their fault while refusing to address your own glaring issues—that is hypocrisy.
- The right order: first deal with your own fault; then you can see clearly enough to help your brother wisely.