Week 30 - Matthew 7:1

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

NIV Life Application Study Bible footnotes:

Jesus tells us to examine our own motives and conduct instead of judging others.  The traits that bother us in others are often the habits we dislike in ourselves.  Our untamed bad habits and behavior patterns are the very ones that we most want to change in others.  Do you find it easy to magnify others'  faults while excusing your own?  If you are ready to criticize someone, check to see if you deserve the same criticism.  Judge yourself first and then lovingly forgive and help your neighbor.

The rest of that section reads:

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "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?  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?  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.  Matthew 7:2-5

NIV Life Application Study Bible footnotes:

Jesus' statement, "Do not judge," is against the kind of hypocritical, judgmental attitude that tears others down in order to build oneself up.  It is not a blanket statement against all critical thinking, but a call to be discerning rather than negative.  Jesus said to expose false teachers (7:15-23), and Paul taught that we should exercise church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1,2), and trust God to be the final Judge (1 Corinthians 4:3-5).

Do you struggle with a judgmental heart?  Ask the Lord to help you in this area......He is faithful!