Devotionals:Who Are We to Judge?

Matthew 7:3 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.

Sometimes as humans , we can be quick to judge. We look at a person, and from their outer appearance, how they speak, or from a bad decision they have made; we judge their  life as a whole. I recently took a visit to a nail salon in my old community, and  was excited  to see the new buildings in the area that had developed. As I sat in the nail chair, I spoke to my stylist , and mentioned  how I was surprised at the new stores and buildings they had built in the neighborhood within the past year. 

  Before my nail tech could even respond, a young woman sitting next to me  said “ The reason why they replaced one of the buildings, is because a Pastor had a scandal and had to move his church”. The statement came so fast,  I didn't know what to say. What came to me as she was speaking was “ We all have our own sins, so who are we to judge others ? but  instead I kept quiet and quickly changed the subject (I am learning the more you feed into these conversations, the more your start to bring on those  same attitudes), and I was not there for that. 
  I admit, even I can sometimes judge others and be judgmental. As I grow in my faith, I am constantly convicted of my own sins, and  have acknowledged that we all struggle with something. What I am doing to improve is striving to renew my thinking; praying to God when the thought comes to mind,  and asking for forgiveness. Matthew 7:3-5 says 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.

  Jesus doesn’t place sins on a worse to not so bad ladder. To him, sin is sin. Let’s remember to look at ourselves next time we think about judging someone else for their sin or wrongdoing. We all make mistakes, but it is God who has the final say.

Be Encouraged,

Noelani