Judge Not

Your Yardstick is Broken

1. It’s Not Long Enough
Our concept of God’s righteousness is simply not high enough. Our concept of humanity’s brokenness is simply not deep enough. To condemn another is to play God.
“There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?”
(James 4.12)

2. It’s Really a Boomerang
“With the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
(Mt 7.2, Mk 4.24, Lk 6.38)

“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.”
(Rom. 2.1)

How to Operate on an Eye

Jesus isn’t endorsing specks and planks, forbidding all correction — He condemns correction of others without greater self-correction first.
“He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray.”
(Prov. 10.17)
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all... in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth...”
(2 Tim. 2.24-25)

Step 1. “Remove the plank from your own eye…”
Jesus says we must deal with our own sin and injustice first. Our lie: “He’s muleheaded… I’m steadfast.” | “She lied… I reconsidered.”
...“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
(John 8.7b)
“For he who lacks these things [kindness, brotherly love] is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”
(2 Pet. 1.9)

Step 2. “Remove the speck from your brother’s eye”
In the Jesus Culture, we are responsible to seek our brother’s restoration.
“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. ”
(Mt 18.15-17)

Two Warnings

1. Know When to Quit
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine...”
(Matthew 7.6)
“And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. ”
(Mt 18.17)

2. Be Gentle
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
(Gal 6.1)

If you seek revival, seek it first in your own heart.