To judge or not to judge, that is the question?

Here’s what Jesus says in Luke 6:41-49, “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thorn bushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

Jesus makes it clear that we’re not to be hypocrites as we consider the lives of those around us. We’re never to be critical, condemning, or come from a holier-than-thou perspective whenever we’re tempted to point fingers at the shortcomings of others. After dealing with ‘the log in our own eye,’ then ‘we’ll see well enough to deal with the speck in our friend’s eye.’ Which won’t come from a critical, condemning, or holier-than-thou, mean spirited attitude.

Also, Jesus doesn’t mince words as it relates to identifying who truly are His followers. And I think it’s a good reminder for all of us who claim the name of Christ to be our Lord and Savior to first look inward. We would be wise to pay attention to the things we say and do, for “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

Jesus’ words bring a strong sense of conviction to me (even right now as I’m reading it!), to avoid thinking out loud. Rather than saying the first thought that may come to my mind, like a negative opinion I may have about someone else.

James 1:19-20 says, “You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”

Based on my personal life-experiences thus far, almost every time I think out loud … I regret it, and wish I would have simply taken it to the Lord and trusted Him with what to do with my thoughts.