Matthew 7 English Standard Version

Judging Others

7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 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? 4 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? 5 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.

Is it wise that we should operate on ourselves to remove obstacles to clear vision?

Luke 4:23

And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘“Physician, heal yourself.”

While seeking the Proverb Jesus is referring to here the only thing I could find was Proverbs 4:20-22 (ESV)

20 My son, be attentive to my words;incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

Irony is quoting scripture to Jesus. This does however give us a method of having the Word of Truth do the surgery to remove any impediment in seeing the truth in any situation.

Judging a righteous judgment might be seen as allowing the Holy Spirit to tell us what Jesus has to say on any matter. If the scripture remains silent on the matter, perhaps we should also remain silent.

This boils down to His Word being embedded in our hearts.

The thing that is helpful to remember here is that the heart is not dependent on memory skills which decline in performance as we age.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We do not have to understand it to believe it. It is an issue of faith.

John 21:21

When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

I do not know what Peter was thinking. I do know what I am thinking. My thoughts went along the lines of jealousy. That is me, my reaction, me judging this situation. That is not the truth, that is perspective.

I see things from my point of view. I don’t not have the right to teach it as truth. Perhaps this is why Jesus said to Peter “What is that to you?”

I can only share my thoughts but who is going to benefit from hearing my thoughts? Others might get to know a little bit more about me but no one should follow me. We follow Jesus.

My past is riddled with jealousy, not my own, my brother was jealous of me. His attitude towards me affected my whole life and ruined any chance of brotherly love. Perhaps that is why my first thoughts about Peter’s question leads me to think Peter was jealous.

I do believe Jesus knew Peter’s thoughts but He is God and has that power. Did Jesus call Peter out on specifics? No, He just added “You, follow me!”

I do not believe I am alone in judging Peter’s motives. I expect there will be other opinions.

John 16:8

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

The he in that verse is referring to the Holy Spirit. He will judge each aspect of our life in Christ, sin, righteousness and judgment.

1 Peter 4:6

For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

We are judged in the flesh for the way we are in order to confess our condition and return to following God.