What did Jesus say?
Do Not Judge
- Matthew 7:1-3 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 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?”
In Other Text:
- Psalm 75:6-7 “For not from the east or from the west, and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.”
- James 4:12 “There is only one lawgiver and judge, He who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?”
Challenge:
Quick question: Is a servant required to obey the orders of another man’s servant, or is he required to obey His Master? Spoiler alert: The answer can be found in Romans 14:4, “…To their own master, servants stand or fall.”
This seems like a fairly simple concept, but one that is rarely applied when living in community together as brothers and sisters in Christ. We are so quick to get annoyed when someone isn’t saying or doing the things we think they should be doing. If we’re honest, we often use our own thoughts, words, and actions as the standard that others should match. But James asks, “Who are you to judge your neighbor?”
One effective way to keep a judgmental spirit at bay is to realize there is only one Master to whom we must all give account. This week, let’s choose to take ownership of our own choices, and allow others to do the same, knowing that we are all subject to the only One who is perfect and holy – Jesus Himself.
*Click Here For Meeting Outline: a simple guide to use with each weekly discussion.