“Judge not,
that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged;
and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you
look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your
own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me remove the speck from your
eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank
from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your
brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5 NKJ)
that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged;
and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you
look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your
own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, `Let me remove the speck from your
eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank
from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your
brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5 NKJ)
We call it judging,
dogmatism, legalism, Pharisaism, and even “holier-than-thou,” but
Jesus called it hypocrisy. It seems harsh to cut to the chase that way, but
truth is not always easy to swallow. He started his discipleship class so good
and then turned to meddling.
dogmatism, legalism, Pharisaism, and even “holier-than-thou,” but
Jesus called it hypocrisy. It seems harsh to cut to the chase that way, but
truth is not always easy to swallow. He started his discipleship class so good
and then turned to meddling.
That’s what
preachers are accused of doing — meddling — when we talk about a subject no
one wants to hear or practice. Yet, we must remember that Jesus talked directly
to individuals, not just a group. He wanted each person in the crowd to know
his message was personal and must be applied in a personal way.
preachers are accused of doing — meddling — when we talk about a subject no
one wants to hear or practice. Yet, we must remember that Jesus talked directly
to individuals, not just a group. He wanted each person in the crowd to know
his message was personal and must be applied in a personal way.
We are believers
encouraging believers along the gospel path of grace. And we don’t want to
judge anyone because we all agree that each of us have our own faults, needing
personal attention. And we want to encourage — not discourage — those who are
pressing toward the goal.
encouraging believers along the gospel path of grace. And we don’t want to
judge anyone because we all agree that each of us have our own faults, needing
personal attention. And we want to encourage — not discourage — those who are
pressing toward the goal.
Humility. Jesus
clearly teaches the importance of humility. We need to humbly assess our own
faults before addressing those around us. In the Scriptures, God has given
clear reasons to humbly consider ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:12
and 1 Timothy 3:6-7).
The Word is not only to be heard but to be personally applied in our lives.
clearly teaches the importance of humility. We need to humbly assess our own
faults before addressing those around us. In the Scriptures, God has given
clear reasons to humbly consider ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:12
and 1 Timothy 3:6-7).
The Word is not only to be heard but to be personally applied in our lives.
Jesus warned that
those who practices his teaching will be preserved and those who don’t will be
destroyed (Matthew
7:24-29). No matter how insignificant we may judge ourselves to be,
obedience is essential. Despite what we think of ourselves, confidence in God
is crucial.
those who practices his teaching will be preserved and those who don’t will be
destroyed (Matthew
7:24-29). No matter how insignificant we may judge ourselves to be,
obedience is essential. Despite what we think of ourselves, confidence in God
is crucial.
What is the
importance of humility in my life? I honor my Lord and Savior by following his
example. Humbly hearing and obeying
Christ shows that I trust him with my life. Humility in Christ shines his light
on the lives of others. Humbly serving Christ impacts the lives of those around
me. And that is what I truly want to do with my life . . . impact others for
Christ.
importance of humility in my life? I honor my Lord and Savior by following his
example. Humbly hearing and obeying
Christ shows that I trust him with my life. Humility in Christ shines his light
on the lives of others. Humbly serving Christ impacts the lives of those around
me. And that is what I truly want to do with my life . . . impact others for
Christ.
Dear Father, thank
you for Christ who humbly gave himself for us. Empower me to humbly live my
life for him. I pray this in his precious name. AMEN
you for Christ who humbly gave himself for us. Empower me to humbly live my
life for him. I pray this in his precious name. AMEN
Refuse to judge
others, reject arrogance and pursue humility today.
others, reject arrogance and pursue humility today.