" Do Not Judge"

 

(Matthew 7: 1-5)
 1. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
2. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
 3. "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?
4. 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?
5. 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.

In the above scriptures, Jesus does not forbid criticism, opinions, or the condemnation of wrongdoing. What He forbids is censoriousness, the spirit of faultfinding that overlooks one's own shortcomings while assuming the role of supreme judge in regard to the sins of others.

Jesus has a great deal to say about humility. And no wonder, since it was pride that first caused man's downfall. As the New Adam, Jesus exemplified this aspect of righteous living. Man fell because he presumed his own way above God's , but restored godliness requires that man do the opposite and humble himself before God's will and the way. Then true God-given exaltation and recognitions will come to those who least expect it and who least seek it.

We need to remember how important it is too renounce any form of retaliation. Leave all vengeance to God.

Love by choice, not by circumstance. Let mistreatment by others remind you to overcome their evil through love.
Forgive daily those who have sinned against you. Allow God's forgiving nature to guide you in forgiving others.

Humble yourself. Be wary of the serious danger of pride and arrogance. Avoid striving for public recognition and promotion yourself or your ministry.

Recognize and confess before God any sin in your life. Do not seek to justify yourself by comparing yourself with other sinners.

A major emphasis of Jesus' teaching is how to build and maintain rights relationships with God and man. He views these relationships as neither unimportant not extraneous, but as the essence of which life is make.

 
Know that Jesus equates anger with murder. Be very careful how you speak to others lest hateful words bring you into God's judgment.