We start chapter 7 this week!

I’m interested in hearing how you’re doing with this, and would like to hear from you. Please share your experiences in the comments.

This week’s passage begins chapter 7, and also begins the section on judging others.

Take a look. It’s found in Matthew 7:1-2.

This has always been one of those passages that seem to be taken out of context; or at least over used in conversations about judging.

One one hand, we aren’t to judge. Only God can determine the heart of a person with any definite conclusion.

On the other hand, James tells us that if we turn someone from sin, we’ve done something incredible. That requires a bit of judgment, don’t you think?

And Paul includes some instruction about judging others in the church as well.

It seems like Scripture is contradicting itself here. What’s going on?

Here’s my take on the matter.

I think the rule of conduct is best understood as “don’t get into the habit of being judgmental.” Such a judgmental attitude directly impacts how others, including God, respond to our deficiencies.

Jesus isn’t telling us that a critical assessment of others is to be completely avoided. In fact, Jesus expects us to be sensitive and responsive to the failures of others (Matthew 18:15-18, Matthew 7:6).

His illustration of the speck of sawdust and the plank, which we will memorize next week, exaggerates just how absurd it is to point out the flaws of another, while ignoring our own shortcomings.

It almost seems as if he’s saying that a detailed self-analysis or self-judgment is necessary before we can even begin to think about helping others.

And so, when people complain that the church “judges me”, what they are really complaining about is how the church, being used by the Spirit, is convicting them of sin, and they simply don’t want to hear it.

Know this: We are called to point out sin, not for the purpose of spotlighting the flaws of others, but to draw them toward Christ and his grace and salvation.

Nothing more, nothing less.

What’s your take on this whole idea of judging? Let me know in the comments.