2 Kgs 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18 Ps 60:3, 4-5, 12-13 Matt 7:1-5

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

The verses found at the beginning of Matthew 7 are some that have always been, and will always be, applicable in my life. The truth laid out within the first five verses alone provides a greater challenge than any school or work assignment ever has for me. It is so easy to notice other peoples’ mistakes and problems…so easy to condemn another’s actions or words…so easy to mentally view ourselves as more righteous or “better” than those we encounter each day.

For me, this kind of thinking tends to occur more sub-consciously than overtly. But notice that Jesus didn’t mention anything about degree or level or anything like that. Rather, he stated quite clearly, “Stop judging.”  This isn’t a grey area in scripture, and it shouldn’t be a grey area in my life.

I’ve found that, ironically, the traits I disdain/despise in other people (and often judge them for) are more often than not the same traits/sins that I myself struggle with.  For example, recently I found myself becoming disgusted at the level of gossip that was occurring around me one day at lunch. Without skipping a beat, my thought process went straight to judging the participants and drawing conclusions regarding how they must just be trying to stir up trouble and must not be very caring individuals. Thinking about it later that afternoon however, I realized that the thing I was judging these individuals for---gossiping---is one of my greatest sin tendencies.  Thinking about all of this…I am so thankful for the Lord’s grace and patience with me as I learn, and relearn, the truth and importance of Matt 7:1-5. My prayer would be that I would choose to use each day as an opportunity to consciously practice Jesus’ commandant to “Stop judging.”

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Stop judging, that you may not be judged.
For as you judge, so will you be judged,
and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?
How can you say to your brother,
'Let me remove that splinter from your eye,'
while the wooden beam is in your eye?
You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter from your brother's eye."
-Matthew 7:1-5