The Mirror Before the Window

"Judge not, that you be not judged." 
Matthew 7:1 (ESV)

How often have quick judgments led to misunderstandings in your life? 

A young woman dialed her boyfriend Mike's number but hit one wrong digit. When another woman answered, she asked for Mike and was told he was in the shower. 'Tell him his girlfriend called!' she said and abruptly hung up. 

An hour later, she called back. When a man answered 'This is Mike,' she exclaimed 'You're not my boyfriend!' He responded, 'I know–that's what I've been trying to tell my wife for the last hour!' 

In today’s verse, Jesus cautions you about judging others. But does He mean you should never make a judgment about anything? The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:15, “The spiritual person judges all things…” In other words, the spiritual person has learned how to judge correctly. 

Jesus says, before you look out the window look in the mirror. Later in this passage, Jesus asks a probing question: “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?” (Matthew 7:3, NIV) 

The word “plank” would be the equivalent of a 2x4. Here is a man staring down a speck of sawdust (you might say a splinter) sticking out of one person’s eye when he’s got a 2x4 sticking out of his own. 

Do you know what a splinter is? It is just a piece of a plank. Sometimes you criticize a fault in someone that you have in your own life. In other words, the next time you see a splinter in someone else's life, look for the log that may be in your own.

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:2, NIV) Simply put–the standard you use to judge others is the same standard that will be used to judge you.

This is why Jesus tells you to judge cautiously. And never judge motives–only God knows hearts. Be careful not to judge by appearances–don’t judge a book by its cover, but you should judge a book by its contents. 

Next, judge conscientiously. Check yourself first. Instead of highlighting someone else’s faults, come to God and ask Him to search your own heart. The Holy Spirit will gently highlight your blind spots and help you look at others with greater compassion. 

You need God’s help to keep an appropriate perspective on yourself and others. When others are late, we assume they're disorganized. But when we're late, it's because of traffic. We judge others by their actions, but ourselves by our circumstances.  

We are called to live differently. God has freedom in mind for you, and it starts by learning to judge cautiously and conscientiously. 

Consider these actionable takeaways:

1. Start each day with self-reflection before critiquing others. 
2. Ask yourself: "Would I want to be judged the way I'm judging others?"
3. Practice the "first then" principle–deal with your own issues before addressing others’.

Jesus, who had no speck in His own eye, took your plank upon Himself at the cross. And He gives you the grace to walk in his discernment and compassion.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for judging justly. Lord, see what is in my heart. Forgive me for the times I criticize others for the splinter in their lives and have a plank in my own. Teach me to discern and make correct judgements. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.