“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
This passage is well known and is often used in ways it was not intended. By that I mean, non-believers would use this passage to dissuade believers from pointing out their rebellion against God and His word. Still, many believers might use this as an excuse to not actively identify things that are offensive to God.
Where a closer look at this passage might help both camps when it is applied within the context and purpose it was spoken. These 3 simple steps could help.
- Take a look in the mirror: The purpose of “looking in the mirror” is to make sure we are examining our own hearts before we attempt to examine others’ behavior. (We cannot see their heart, so we cannot judge their heart). It is for the purpose of bringing a reality check of the consequences for disregarding this step. Measuring others sets us up to be measured equally. That is the impartiality of God’s righteous judgement. After the warning of these “measures”, we are ASKED to take the log out of our own eye so that we can see clearly. The point of step one is to bring about a spirit of humility and self-awareness. The hope would be that if we are aware of our own frailty towards sin we would approach others and their sins with a more compassionate and helpful attitude. Which would likely be received with grace rather than seen as a “holier than thou” judgement.
- Don’t be blind: This passage does not encourage us to disregard our brother’s sin. It does not tell us to ignore God’s requirements (if you see your brother in sin…) but instead this passage is about helping the brother in sin with the correct motive and attitude. If your brother is in sin, he needs our help, do not ignore it, but be sure to do step 1 before attempting step 2.
- Seek the proper results: All three of these steps are important, but the third tends to be the hardest. The selfishness that is in each of us tends to influence our motives and actions. This passage tells us the goal is to help our brother. The goal is not to make ourselves look better or wiser or more spiritual. Nor should it be to show them how wrong they are or how much less they are. Again, the goal is to help them. Help them see clearly so they can honor God. Help them understand God’s love for them so they will desire Him above all things. Help them because you love them.