Have you ever been accused by somebody of being judgmental?
Or have you ever had anyone say to you, stop judging me.
! Who are you to judge me?
Probably most of us have heard this at least once from someone.
And sometimes the person saying it may even quote Jesus' famous words,
Judge not, lest ye be judged.
Or as a more modern translation puts it,
Do not judge, and you will not be judged.
These are familiar words of Jesus,
but they're often misapplied and perhaps not well understood.
I'll be honest, I have always wrestled with these words a little bit.
I found them difficult.
The first reason is because I know that I've been guilty of judging others.
And so I find these words convicting.
A second reason, I've had people accuse me of being judgmental
when I was not intending to judge them,
but just to offer a helpful word of correction or advice.
And third, what does it even mean not to judge people?
Not to judge someone.
What does Jesus mean by that?
Let's maybe start there with that question.
What does it mean to judge someone?
As Jesus is talking about it here in his sermon in Luke chapter 6.
We use that word judge in a variety of ways.
To think, to consider,
to evaluate,
and to decide.
Judge for yourself,
whether the glass is half full or half empty.
We also use it to mean to measure
or to estimate.
Judging by how much rain we had last year,
maybe we should do this this year.
And then, of course,
there's also the legal meaning,
the obvious meaning,
the courtroom,
to give the verdict
of whether someone is guilty or innocent,
liable or not liable,
and then the penalty
that should be given.
But then finally,
to judge someone can mean,
we use this language,
it's kind of using the same word to define it,
but I think we just feel what it means.
To judge someone can mean
to pass judgment on someone.
And in this case,
it's always an unfavorable judgment.
Meaning to frown upon
or to criticize
or to condemn someone
based on how they're living.
And this is probably what Jesus means
by this imperative.
This has to do with
passing judgment on others
for how they live.
It has to do with
being a fault finder.
A person who's
very critical
of others.
Always measuring
people
to see if they match up.
Do they have the right beliefs?
Do they have the right
standard of conduct?
Do they have the right way
of doing things?
But of course,
behind this measuring of people
is pride
and not a restorative
attitude of love.
There's a tone of condemnation
that's embedded
in this passing of judgment
on others.
Like,
if you don't measure up
to my standard,
then you're out.
You're off the team.
You're living unfaithfully.
You're compromising.
You're on the naughty list.
Or even sometimes
we hear it go so far
as you're not even saved.
You're not even a Christian.
How could you be a Christian
and do that?
Notice the parallelism
in this passage
which helps us see
that a tone of condemnation
is indeed present.
Jesus says,
do not judge
and you will not be judged.
Do not condemn
and you will not be condemned.
Those words are synonyms here.
So there is that tone
of condemnation implied.
But this is where
it gets kind of tricky.
If Jesus is saying,
do not pass judgment
on others
for how they're living,
what does he actually
mean by that?
Is Jesus essentially saying,
don't worry at all
about other people
and how they live
or what they're doing.
Just let them do
whatever they want to do.
especially in their personal lives
or their private lives.
Don't even look
at their lives.
Don't even evaluate
what they're doing
whether it's right or wrong.
Just let them do
as they please.
Is that what Jesus means here?
Do not judge
and you will not be judged.
Do not condemn
and you will not be condemned.
I think we all know
deep down inside
that Jesus can't mean that.
Jesus can't mean
that we should simply
just let others
do as they please
or that we should refrain
from ever making
any kind of moral evaluation
of others.
And here's why.
We are commanded
as followers of Jesus
to morally evaluate others
in numerous places
in the Bible.
Let's just look at
some of them.
In the parallel passage
to this one
from Matthew's Gospel
Matthew chapter 7
Jesus says the same thing
do not judge.
But then just a little bit
down from where he says
that in Matthew 7 verse 6
he says
do not give dogs
what is sacred.
Do not throw your pearls
to pigs.
If you do
they may trample them
under their feet
and turn and tear you
to pieces.
I think we know
this is a metaphor
obviously
this is not about
actual pigs
and dogs.
How can we know
who are the dogs
and who are the pigs
except by making
some sort of judgment
about the character
and life
of a person.
Or we could look back
to the Proverbs
of Solomon.
Proverbs 26 verse 4
says
do not answer a fool
according to his folly
or you yourself
will be just like him.
how can we know
when to apply this
without making
some sort of
evaluation
or judgment
about whether
the person
we're talking to
is indeed a fool
or not.
Back to the words
of Jesus
this is probably
the clearest
statement here
in Matthew 18
verse 15
Jesus says this
he says
if your brother
or sister sins
go and point
out their fault
just between
the two of you
if they listen
to you
you have won
them over.
So according
to Jesus
we may see
a brother
or sister sin
and he doesn't
say
don't worry
about it
just let them
do as they
please.
No he says
go and point
out their fault
so there is
a time to go
and point out
the fault
that we see
in others.
It's when they
sin.
It's when they
stray.
And it requires
that we make
some sort of
judgment
as to whether
what they did
was right
or wrong.
Sin or
not a sin.
And it even
requires that we
confront them
about it.
This kind of
restorative
correction
is not what
Jesus had in
mind though
when he said
do not judge.
Do not condemn.
Let's hear a few
more.
Paul tells
Timothy
in his second
letter
2 Timothy
3.16
he says
all scripture
is God
breathed
and is
useful for
teaching
rebuking
correcting
and training
in righteousness
so that the
servant of God
may be thoroughly
equipped
for every good
work.
So we see
that
God's word
is useful
for correcting
for bringing
a word of
correction to
others
even a
rebuke
a stronger
word
and Timothy
at times
you need
to do
this
Paul says
it very
clearly
just a few
verses down
the page
in chapter
4 verse 2
Paul says
to Timothy
preach the
word
be prepared
in season
and out of
season
correct
rebuke
and encourage
with great
patience
and careful
instruction.
So correction
and even
the stronger
rebuke
are at times
commanded
and required
of us
and this
requires
that we make
a judgment
of sorts
about
how a brother
or sister
is living
whether they've
strayed from
Christ
whether they're
living in sin
whether they're
ignoring the
commands of
Jesus
whether they're
holding fast
to sound
doctrine
to the truth
of the gospel
a judgment
is required
and even
a conversation
with a person
who is straying
where we tell
them the fault
that we see
the error
they have made
and offer
correction
to restore them.
Listen to how
Paul instructs
Timothy
just a little bit
earlier in the
same letter
in chapter 2
verse 25
about how to
deal with his
opponents
he says
to Timothy
opponents must be
gently instructed
in the hope
that God will
grant them
repentance
leading them
to a knowledge
of the truth
and that they
will come to
their senses
and escape
from the trap
of the devil
who has taken
them captive
to do his
will.
So notice
the aim
of this
correction
it's restoration
it's that they
would repent
that they would
turn away
from what's wrong
and turn back
to what's good
and what's right
this kind of
gracious
restorative action
is good
this is needed
this is not
what Jesus
is talking about
when he says
do not judge
do not condemn
at times
we must consider
and evaluate
one another
and we must
even confront
the sins
that we see
in another
this is not
judging a person
but to the
person who's
receiving that
correction
or rebuke
it may feel
like I'm
being judged
you're judging
me
who are you
to tell me
how I should
be living
it may feel
like the
person confronting
us is being
judgmental
one more
passage
quickly which
I think will
just drive this
home for us
Hebrews chapter
3 verse 12
and 13
one of my
favorite scriptures
it says
see to it
brothers and
sisters
that none of
you
has a sinful
unbelieving
heart
that turns away
from the living
God
but encourage
one another
daily
as long as
it's called
today
so that none
of you
may be
hardened
by sins
deceitfulness
do you
hear the
sense of
obligation
that we
all have
to one
another
in these
words
we're to
care for
one another
we're to
watch over
one another
we're to
see if
someone has
a sinful
unbelieving
heart
and if they
do we're
to encourage
that person
we're to
talk to
them
to say
to them
hey
I see
you drifting
away
what's
going on
come back
to the
Lord
when we
continually
give ourselves
to sin
it has a
way of
hardening
us
it has a
way of
deceiving
us
so that
we don't
see straight
or think
clearly
anymore
it impairs
our judgment
and so
what do we
need most
in those
moments
we need
a clear
seeing
brother
or sister
to speak
into our
lives
and to
remind us
of what's
true
and what's
right
and to
encourage us
to turn
back to
the Lord
so back
to Luke
6
37
what then
does Jesus
mean when he
says do
not judge
and you
will not
be judged
do not
condemn
and you
will not
be condemned
well he
clearly doesn't
mean that we
should just
let others
live however
they please
and think
nothing
or say
nothing
about that
maybe we
can gain
some insight
from the
context
here
are there
examples
of this
what does
Jesus have
in mind
specifically
when he
tells us
do not
judge
do not
condemn
well let's
look back
just a little
bit in Luke's
gospel to
chapter 5
do you
remember what
happened when
Jesus attended
the banquet
that Levi
put on
in Jesus
honor
with all
the tax
collectors
in
attendance
back in
Luke
chapter 5
verse 30
29 and
30
the Pharisees
certainly
passed judgment
on that
occasion
it says
they complained
to Jesus
disciples
saying
why do
you eat
and drink
with tax
collectors
and sinners
you can hear
that tone
of condemnation
they were
judging
Jesus
and his
disciples
they were
condemning
him
with their
words
as an
immoral
man
as a
drunkard
as a
glutton
you're
partying
with wicked
men
and so
you too
must be
wicked
this is
I think
a pretty
clear example
of what it
looks like
to judge
someone
or to
condemn
someone
notice how
they assume
Jesus
motives for
being at
the banquet
like why
were you
there
well you
must have
been there
because
you're
immoral
like they
are
not only
that
but
do you
hear how
they had
almost
arrived at
the verdict
of guilty
before they
even knew
what was
going on
before they
even had
the conversation
with Jesus
we see the
same thing
just a few
verses later
in chapter 5
verse 33
it's actually
just a continuation
of the conversation
but they say
to Jesus
John's disciples
often fast
and pray
and so
do the
disciples
of the
Pharisees
but yours
go on
eating
and drinking
so they
judge
Jesus
and his
disciples
you guys
aren't doing
the religious
fasts
that you're
supposed to
be doing
what's wrong
with you
guys
are you
gluttons
are you
drunkards
you can
almost hear
it
Jesus
you don't
measure up
to that
standard
of righteousness
that we
live by
can you
hear that
tone of
condemnation
this is not
the kind
of restorative
or loving
rebuke of a
brother who's
seeing a
brother sinning
this is a
self-righteous
passing of
judgment on
those who
don't measure
up to
my standard
we see it
again from
the Pharisees
a few verses
later in Luke
chapter 6
verse 2
you probably
remember the
story
the disciples
were gleaning
some wheat
out of the
fields and
eating it
on the
Sabbath day
and the
Pharisees see
this and they
say to Jesus
why are you
doing what is
unlawful
on the
Sabbath
they accuse
him of being
a lawbreaker
and of failing
to keep the
Sabbath
notice how
there's no
discussion
with Jesus
about what
it means to
honor God
on the
Sabbath
they just
go straight
to the
guilty
verdict
you're
doing
what's
unlawful
what's
your
explanation
we see
it again
from them
just a few
verses later
in chapter 6
verse 7
the Pharisees
and the
teachers
of the
law
are standing
by
watching
to see
if Jesus
will heal
a man
on the
Sabbath
they were
looking
for a
reason
to accuse
Jesus
so they've
already
condemned
Jesus
they've
already
come to
the
verdict
of
guilty
but now
we need
like a
specific
charge
against
him
it's
kind of
backwards
isn't
it
we've
got to
secure
that
verdict
with
some
concrete
thing
in fact
think back
through all
the encounters
that Jesus
had with
the Pharisees
and there
are so
many
examples
of them
judging
Jesus
condemning
Jesus
even
at times
calls
them
out
on
it
Luke
chapter
7
I think
it is
verse
33
hold on
a second
John the
baptizer
he came
neither
eating
bread
nor drinking
wine
and you
say he
has a
demon
the son
of man
came
eating
and drinking
and you
say
here's a
glutton
and a
drunkard
a friend
of tax
collectors
and sinners
like it
doesn't even
matter
what
we do
guilty
demon
you have
a demon
possessed
think of
the time
that they
accused
Jesus
of healing
driving
out
a demon
by the
power
of
Beelzebul
the prince
of demons
they couldn't
deny
that the
miracles
really were
happening
that the
man was
possessed
and the
demon
came out
and so
they condemned
Jesus
well you
must have
done it
because you're
in league
with the
prince of
the demons
we got to
find some
wrong thing
here with
you
finally think
about the
sham trial
that they
put Jesus
through after
they arrested
him in the
garden of
Gethsemane
they have
falsely accused
him of all
sorts of
things
they made
stuff up
they took
his words
out of
context
they were
looking for
a reason
to put him
to death
because
they'd
already
passed
judgment
on him
they'd
already
condemned
him
and now
it's
just a
matter
of
figuring
out
what's
the
charges
to write
what's
the
thing
to tell
to
Pilate
to get
this
done
they're
the prime
example
of this
passing
of judgment
on others
the Pharisees
the Sanhedrin
the teachers
of the law
there was a
time when
Jesus even
said to
them
John
chapter 7
verse 24
stop
judging
by mere
appearances
but instead
judge
correctly
so this
passing
of judgment
on others
the kind
that Jesus
forbids
is often
focused
on externals
and appearances
it's focused
on the
external
the appearance
of how
Jesus
attended
that banquet
with those
tax collectors
and sinners
it's focused
on the
external
the appearance
of that
immoral
woman
washing
the feet
of Jesus
if he knew
what kind
of woman
she was
he wouldn't
allow that
it's focused
on the
externals
of how
Jesus
disciples
didn't do
the ceremonial
washing
of hands
before the
meal
this got
me thinking
back to
when I was
a courier
for FedEx
I had to
make deliveries
of letters
and parcels
to some
strange
places
including
bars
and night
clubs
and
if it
wasn't
for my
uniform
in the
FedEx
truck
parked
out
front
I
sometimes
wondered
what
conclusions
a Christian
friend
might come
to
if they
saw me
walking
out of
a place
like that
but I
think what
Jesus is
telling us
here is
that a
follower
of Jesus
shouldn't
come to
any
conclusions
based on
mere
appearances
that's
the kind
of judging
Jesus is
telling us
not to
do here
do not
judge
do not
condemn
this
passing
of
judgment
on
others
that
Jesus
forbids
often
assumes
the motives
of others
he must
be okay
with the
sinful
choices
of those
sinners
and tax
collectors
I mean
he's at
the party
with them
but hold
on a
second
this
wasn't
just
any
old
party
the usual
party
of the
tax
collectors
this
was a
banquet
that
Levi
had
planned
to
honor
Jesus
right
after
being
called
by
Jesus
to
follow
him
which
implies
that
he
had
repented
he
had
come
to
see
Jesus
as
his
Lord
and
his
Savior
this
was
to
honor
Jesus
this
was
to
celebrate
Jesus
and no
doubt
his
tax
collector
friends
were
invited
in order
to
introduce
them
to
this
one
that
he
has
now
come
to
follow
look
at
the
motives
of
Levi
in
that
are
they
not
honorable
and
beautiful
unfortunately
we're
sometimes
all too
quick
to jump
to
conclusions
or
to
assume
motives
and
in
doing
so
we
pass
judgment
on
others
we
condemn
others
without
even
knowing
the
reasons
they're
doing
what
they're
doing
another
common
element
to
this
passing
of
judgment
which
Jesus
forbids
has to
do
with
the
standard
that
we
judge
people
by
righteous
judgment
all
throughout
the
Bible
looks
at a
person's
life
in
relation
to
what
God
has
said
is
right
and
wrong
is
that
person
doing
what
God
has
commanded
!
Are
they
going
against
what
God
has
commanded
but
passing
judgment
often
looks
at
a
person's
life
in
relation
to
a
standard
outside
of
the
Bible
are
they
keeping
our
traditions
are
they
doing
whatever
they're
doing
in the
right
way
or
in
the
best
way
according
to
my
experience
according
to
my
opinion
often
times
we
pass
judgment
on
others
about
things
where
God's
word
gives
us
freedom
of
conscience
or
freedom
to
choose
the
classic
passage
here
and
the
most
helpful
is
Romans
chapter
14
and
it's
a
little
bit
longer
but
I'll
read
it
all
because
it
all
just
speaks
right
to
this
Paul
writes
to
the
church
there
and
he
says
Except
the
one
whose
faith
is
weak
!
One
person's
faith
allows
them
to
eat
anything
but
another
whose
faith
is
weak
eats
only
vegetables
the
one
who
eats
everything
must
not
treat
with
contempt
there
it
is
the
judging
the
one
who
does
not
and
the
one
who
does
not
eat
everything
must
not
judge
the
one
who
does
for
God
has
accepted
them
who
are
you
to
judge
someone
else's
servant
to
their
own
master
servants
stand
or
fall
and
they
will
stand
for
the
Lord
is
able
to
make
them
stand
one
person
considers
one
day
more
sacred
than
another
considers
every
day
alike
each
of
them
should
be
fully
convinced
in
their
own
mind
whoever
regards
one
day
is
special
does
so
to
the
Lord
whoever
eats
meat
does
so
to
the
Lord
for
they
give
thanks
to
God
and
whoever
abstains
does
so
to
the
Lord
and
gives
thanks
to
God
so
whether
we live
or die
we belong
to
the
Lord
you
then
why
do
you
judge
your
brother
or
sister
or
why
do
you
treat
them
with
contempt
for
we
will
all
stand
before
God's
judgment
seat
it
is
written
as
surely
as
I
live
says
the
Lord
every
knee
will
bow
before
me
every
tongue
will
acknowledge
God
so
then
each
of
us
will
give
an
account
of
ourselves
to
God
therefore
let
us
stop
passing
judgment
on
one
another
instead
make
up
your
mind
not
to
put
any
stumbling
block
or
obstacle
in
the
way
of
a
brother
or
sister
these
are
important
words
on
this
subject
of
judging
notice
the
judging
that's
forbidden
is
passing
judgment
on
others
regarding
disputable
matters
like
what
kind
of
foods
we
can
eat
or
if
you
look
down
to
verse
21
whether
we
can
drink
wine
or
alcohol
disputable
matters
as he
talked
about
include
whether
we
consider
one
day
as
holy
to
the
Lord
or
consider
every
day
alike
these
are
disputable
matters
we
may
come
to
different
opinions
or
convictions
on
these
things
and
even
be
spiritually
motivated
to
live
a
certain
way
in
these
areas
but
Paul
says
let
us
stop
passing
judgment
on
one
another
with
regard
to
these
things
God
is
going
to
be
the
judge
in
what
are
some
other
disputable
matters
things
pertaining
to
clothing
and
what
should
be
worn
to
church
do
I
dress
up
for
Jesus
or
do
I
come
as
I
am
have
your
own
opinion
have
your
own
conviction
honor
the
Lord
but
don't
look
down
on
others
if
they
come
to
a
different
conclusion
or
what
about
the
possessions
of
others
how
easy
is
it
to
look
at
someone
who
just
got
a
brand
new
fill
in
the
blank
and
to
judge
them
what
a
waste
of
money
oh
they're
full
of
greed
buying
that
thing
that
money
could
have
better
been
spent
on
but
do
you
know
the
heart
of
that
person
do
you
even
know
if
they
bought
that
thing
or
if
it
was
given
to
them
as
a
gift
or
how
much
they
paid
for
it
if
they
bought
it
maybe
that
luxury
brand
named
item
was
found
for
a
few
bucks
at
a
thrift
store
other
disputable
matters
include
things like
the keeping
of
traditions
how we
should
or
shouldn't
celebrate
Christmas
Thanksgiving
Good
Friday
Easter
or
what
kind
of
entertainment
music
or games
are
best
or are
permitted
for
Christians
to
participate
in
what
kind
of
instruments
should
we
use
for
worship
and
what
style
of
worship
whether
to
homeschool
private
school
public
school
disputable
matter
which
Bible
translation
to
use
disputable
matter
whether
to
use
birth
control
and if
so
what
methods
are
allowed
disputable
matter
!
What's
the best
method
of
evangelism
door
to
door
street
preaching
or
relational
disputable
matter
military
service
or
conscientious
subjection
well I
have my
conviction
but it's
a disputable
matter
whether
and how
guns
should be
regulated
in Canada
or in
the
US
disputable
matter
must we
boycott
certain
brands
or stores
when they
express
support
of
something
questionable
and if
so for
how long
disputable
matter
and the
list can
go on
there's
freedom
in Christ
in all
these
things
to have
opinions
and convictions
and even
to live
a certain
way to
honor the
Lord
but the
problem
is when
we say
my way
is the
only
right way
and if
you don't
do as
I do
you're
immature
you're
unenlightened
you're
less of a
Christian
you're
compromising
or you
may not
even be
a Christian
how many
times have
we heard
that
please don't
misunderstand
me
we're
talking about
disputable
matters
there's
many clear
doctrines
of scripture
where if
a brother
a sister
strays
from them
we're
to
gently
correct
and even
rebuke
them
and point
out
the
error
we're
not
talking
about
those
things
Paul
didn't
hesitate
to call
out the
church
in Galatia
when they
departed
from the
gospel
listen to
his words
in Galatians
chapter 1
he said
I'm astonished
that you're
so quickly
deserting
the one
who called
you to
live in
the grace
of Christ
and are
turning to
a different
gospel
which is
really no
gospel at
all
evidently
some people
are throwing
you into
confusion
and are
trying to
pervert
the gospel
of Christ
but even
if we
or an
angel
from heaven
should
preach
a gospel
other than
the one
we preach
to you
let them
be under
God's
curse
this wasn't
Paul pridefully
judging the
Galatians
in the way
Jesus told
us not to
do
this was
Paul
rebuking
them
in love
trying to
call them
back
to the
lifeline
that is
salvation
the gospel
it's a
clear teaching
of God's
word
and it's
the thing
of greatest
importance
but the
passing of
judgment
on others
that Jesus
forbids
often takes
the disputable
matters
and the
things that
are not
talked about
clearly in
the Bible
clearly prohibited
clearly commanded
and it puts
them on the
same level
as the
gospel
if you
don't believe
as I do
with this
or do as I
do with
this
then you're
compromising
you're
unfaithful
you're
not even
a
Christian
so these
are some
of the
common
elements
I think
in this
passing
of
judgment
that
Jesus
forbids
we judge
by mere
appearances
without
knowing all
the facts
when we
assume the
motives of
others
without
actually
knowing
the
heart
when we
make
disputable
matters
a measure
of
righteousness
just based
on our
own
convictions
and opinions
and traditions
and one
common thing
in all of
this I
think is
we kind
of take
the place
of God
and we
give the
final verdict
about others
about their
behavior
about their
conduct
to all
of that
hear these
words of
Jesus
do not
judge
do not
condemn
I'd love
to take
time to
talk about
the reciprocal
promise that
we see
there
when we
treat others
with mercy
and refrain
from passing
judgment
when we
forgive
when we're
generous
as the
list goes
on in the
context
there
it has
an effect
on those
around us
they are
more inclined
to treat
us
in the
same way
to refrain
from passing
judgment
on us
to forgive
us
to be
generous
towards us
mercy
begets
mercy
generosity
begets
generosity
there's
lots to
think about
with that
people may
not deserve
these things
from us
we may
feel
but do
we deserve
the
kindnesses
and mercies
of God
which he
has shown
to us
but I
want to
get down
to
verse
41 and
42
because it's
so deeply
related to
this discussion
of judging
this is the
last piece
we'll bring
in here
Jesus
gives this
wonderful
analogy
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 you
yourself
fail to
see the
plank
in your
own
eye
you
hypocrite
first
take the
plank
out of
your
eye
then you
will see
clearly
to remove
the speck
from your
brother's
eye
Jesus
has a
good
sense
of
humor
here
and yet
at the
same
time
he's
dead
serious
with
these
words
with
this
crazy
analogy
the
person
who
often
passes
judgment
on
others
is
both
hypocritical
and
hypercritical
they're
predisposed
to finding
even the
tiniest
faults
in
others
lives
the
speck
and
ironically
at the
same
time
they pay
no
attention
to the
plank
to the
log
literally
in their
own
eye
they can
see the
speck
in someone
else's
eye
this
virtually
inconsequential
thing
and yet
fail to
see that
plank
in their
own
eye
the
massive
glaring
problem
that they
have
and have
not
dealt
with
Jesus
calls
this
kind
of
judgment
this
judgmental
attitude
what it
is
hypocritical
you
hypocrite
he
says
you're
busy
peering
out
at
the
little
faults
in
others
but
totally
ignorant
of
the
massive
fault
that
you've
not
dealt
with
in
your
own
life
this
is a
much
needed
word
first
take
the
plank
out
of
your
eye
and
then
you'll
see
clearly
to
remove
the
speck
from
your
brother's
eye
powerful
words
you
can't
help
a
brother
or
sister
with
the
sin
or
fault
that
you
see
in
their
life
till
you're
first
honest
before
God
and
have
dealt
with
the
sin
in
your
life
think
about
any
relationship
where you
have
conflict
right
now
and
our
tendency
is
usually
to
blame
everything
on
the
other
person
to
minimize
or even
miss
the
fault
that
we
have
in
the
conflict
and
there
are
some
conflicts
where
that's
the
reality
where
it
is
kind
of
one
sided
and
it
really
is
more
the
other
person's
fault
but
more
often
than
not
there
is
fault
on
both
sides
and
what's
the
best
way
toward
reconciliation
and
healing
of
that
relationship
I
think
these
words
of
Jesus
are
gold
first
take
the
plank
take
the
plank
out
of
your
own
eye
what
have
done
wrong
in
what
did
I
say
that
wasn't
right
or
maybe
the
tone
that
I
said
it
in
wasn't
right
did
I
shout
angrily
did
I
insult
them
did
I
say
something
not
true
is
there
any
truth
to
the
accusations
that
they're
making
of
me
have
I
been
honest
I
think
often
it's
not
until
both
people
can
say
this
is
what
I
did
wrong
and
I'm
sorry
that
relationships
can
heal
and
come
back
together
when
they're
broken
so
when it
comes
to
judging
it's
not
that
we're
never
to
notice
or
help
others
out
with
the
things
we
see
in
their
lives
then
goal
is
yeah
to
take
that
speck
from
the
brother's
eye
but
to
see
clearly
to
be
able
to
do
that
we
must
always
judge
ourselves
first
pass
judgment
on
ourselves
first
before
we
can
even
hope
to
make
that
I
might
be
angry
that
a
person
acted
selfishly
but
did
I
act
selfishly
toward
them
I'm
reminded
of those
words
of
Jesus
about
the
woman
caught
in
adultery
he said
let him
who is
without
sin
be the
first
to
throw
a
stone
I
was
also
reminded
of these
words
of
Jesus
in
John
chapter
3
for
God
did
not
send
his
son
into
the
world
to
condemn
the
world
but
to
save
the
world
through
him
think
about
that
if
Jesus
our
Lord
who
was
perfect
and
without
sin
didn't
come
into
this
world
to
judge
and
to
condemn
how
much
less
should
we
who
are
sinners
saved
by
his
grace
be
passing
judgment
on
others
and
condemning
others
in
the
ways
that
we
have
talked
about
let's
pray
let's
ask
the
Lord
for
help
as
we
respond
to
his
word
father
in
heaven
as
we
hear
these
words
we're
convicted
and
reminded
of
the
things
that
we
have
done
towards
others
where
we
have
been
judges
over
them
and
should
not
have
please
forgive
!
us
thank
you
for
your
blood
Jesus
which
cleanses
and
atones
for
all
of
our
sins
and
if
there's
anyone
that
we
need
to
go
to
and
apologize
for
condemning
or judging
them
wrongly
I pray
that you
would bring
those people
to mind
and that
you
would
give
us
courage
and
humility
to
go
to
that
person
and
admit
our
fault
to
them
and
ask
for
their
forgiveness
and
as
we
think
of
all
the
relationships
that
we
have
and
our
interactions
with
one
another
and
people
in
our
community
friends
neighbors
co-workers
Lord
we want
to
honor
you
with
this
we
want
to
be
people
of
mercy
just
as
you
have
been
merciful
with
us
so
help
us
and
give
us
wisdom
and
understanding
about
how
to
look
at
other
people
in
our
lives
how
to
talk
to
them
how
to
between
us
and
others
help
us
with
that
Lord
work
in
us
we
pray
we
want
to
honor
you
we
want
to
be
not
a
judgmental
church
Lord
but
we
want
to
honor
you
and
be
a
blessing
and
a
help
to
others
as
we
speak
your
truth
and
love
we
ask
this
in
Jesus
name
Amen