Judge Not . . . . .

I am convinced this is the most quoted verse in the Bible by our pagan friends. I think it is from a deep seated knowledge that they know they are pagan already and don't want to be reminded of it, especially by you.

When Jesus gave us this teaching in Matthew 7, He was not instructing not to judge others, He was telling us how to judge others.

7     “Judge not, that you be not judged. ^2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ^3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ^4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ^5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Mt 7:1-5

Jesus is reminding us that to judge someone else is a task full of potential landmines and should only be considered after much self reflection and inspection.  The warning is that the measuring cup you use will be used with you.  Make sure your cup is full of grace and mercy as much as depends on you.  You also need to remember that you are a much worse sinner than your brother and that Jesus saved you from your sins.  Preach the gospel to yourself everyday.  Especially preach the gospel to yourself before doing speck surgery on your brother.  By remembering the measuring cup you are filling, and the great mercy Jesus has bestowed on you, you will be able to recognize that there is indeed a plank in your eye.  Work on it first, then you will be able to "help" your brother with his speck.  I like the way Jesus put it, "you will be able to see clearly."