Judging Others

Sometimes it seems easy to judge others.   We judge people by looking at them from the outside, but only the Lord knows the heart of the person.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:1-5

"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?

How can you say to your brother,
"Let me take the speck out of your eye,"
when all the time there is a plank in your own
eye?

You hypocrite,  first take the plank out of your
own eye, and then you will see clearly
to remove the speck for your brother's
eye."

We need to examine ourselves first and make sure we are not being over critical.

I remember one time several years ago seeing a man in the grocery store where I work.  He was a big man and he had a tattoo on his neck.  I remember thinking, "Wow, this guy is creepy."

A few days later I driving to church when I drove past another church in town and there he was walking on the side walk.  It was the same man with the tattoo on his neck.  He was leading a small by into the church building.  I noticed this man was carrying a bible in his other hand.

I felt very small and foolish.  I had a plank in my eye that needed to be removed.  The Lord convicted me.   We must be careful of how we judge others.

Lord,
Help us not to judge harshly.
Help us to love others as You love us.
Forgive us for judgmental attitudes.
Help us extend the Grace You show us to others.
In Jesus name
Amen,