If there is one thing that many of us are experts in, it is judging others. We judge their motives, their lifestyles, their personal choices, their theology and, often, simply the differences between how we do things and how they do things. It is truly ironic that we live each day in the amazing, patient, unmitigated grace of God and yet often don’t extend that same grace to others. In fact, many of us have experienced far more judgment from fellow believers than we have grace.

Why do we have such a propensity to judge others? One obvious reason is that, as fallen human beings, we love to transfer our weaknesses and failures to others. If I can convince myself that I am better than someone else I can then feel better about myself. It is far more comfortable to look at the failures and struggles of others than it is our own. It is not easy to look at our own failures and struggles, which is why we often don’t pay enough attention to our own lives. 

In fact, as humans who struggle with a lower nature, we elevate our goodness above what it actually is and we devalue the goodness of others beyond what we should. This is all about our own pride and our need to make ourselves better than we are. That is why we elevate our own righteousness and underestimate our unrighteousness. And when we feel righteous we are quick to play the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of others and tell them how they should live. All of this comes from our own pride because, if we understood how broken we ourselves are, we would be very slow to judge others.

When it comes to judging others Jesus says “cut it out.” Listen to his words in Luke 6:37-42. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For 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, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Ouch! That hits home. At least it does to me. I am guilty all too often. Maybe you are as well.

Jesus tells us first that He uses the same standard against us that we use against others. “Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you…For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

This really comes down to this principle. How we desire to be treated by God, and how we are treated by God, ought to be our guide as to how we treat others. He is slow to judge and quick to extend mercy. He forgives us often. Many times per day. He is gentle with us even when He desires to see change in our lives. He is not harsh but kind. Jesus says elsewhere that He is gentle and humble of heart so that we can learn from Him. Think of being a part of a congregation where we are kind, gentle, patient, forgiving, and genuinely want the best for others. Too many of us have experienced the very opposite of that. 

But Jesus makes another observation. Our focus should be on the plank in our eye rather than the sawdust in someone else’s eye. In other words, He says, rather than focusing on what others should and should not be doing, we ought to be focused on areas in our own lives that need growth and renovation. 

Think about those who are more concerned about the quality of their own spiritual lives, about dealing with their own brokenness rather than fixing other people. There is great hypocrisy when we focus on the issues of others and ignore our own. Furthermore, God is ultimately responsible for helping others grow and develop. We are responsible for our own lives. We are responsible for understanding our own brokenness and working with the Holy Spirit to become more whole.

When we do focus on our own needed areas of growth we become highly compassionate individuals toward others. Why? Because we are no longer operating out of pride but deep humility and, in understanding our own brokenness, we are able to then understand the brokenness of others. The more I understand my struggles, the more I can empathize with others. And, as I become healthier because of my own work, I can help others out of a healthy and merciful place rather than out of pride and judgment. 

How can we apply these principles? First, ask God to convict you when you are ready to judge others, whether in how you think about them, gossip to others about them, or you are thinking of speaking directly to them. If we ask this, he will help us.

Second, ask yourself the question. What are the three most important areas where my life needs renovation? Write them down, pray about them and develop a strategy to deal with them. Your focus is then in the right place - your own life rather than judging others. The evil one would have us focus on the issues of others while Jesus would have us focus on our own issues. That is when our attention is in the place it should be. 

Finally, rather than judging, try encouraging. Every one of us needs far more encouragement and far less judgment. Let's become like Jesus who encourages constantly, forgives quickly, is patient, gracious, and loving. Love beats judgment in every way and every day. Love is a magnet while judgment repels. 

Father, would you give me patience and love for people and help me to be quick to love and slow to judge. Quick to forgive and slow to be critical. Quick to focus on my own issues and slow to focus on the issues of others. I ask this in your powerful name.

The question for today: What issues should I be focused on in my own life rather than focusing on the issues of others?