Do You Want Justice?

Matthew 7:1-6

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1

If we take Matthew 7:1 out of context, we will think we are never to judge anyone else. But when we read the rest of this passage of Scripture, we find that Jesus was saying for us not to judge other people until we have first judged ourselves. And Jesus warned us that we will be judged in the same way and by the same standards with which we judge others.

We want justice for other people. We think they should be given what they deserve. But we want mercy for ourselves. We are very lenient about our own sins. Jesus likened them to having a plank in our eye. That’s huge. We ignore the plank but point out a speck in someone else’s eye. Most people are far-sighted when it comes to sin. They see the sins of other people but not their own.

We can’t see clearly to help other people if we are blind to our own sins. We tend to approach others with a haughty, self-righteous attitude like that of the Pharisees. But if we have faced up to our sins and confessed them, we will come to others in humility with a sincere desire to help them rather than gleefully pointing out their shortcomings. We need to be very careful about criticizing others because only God knows the hearts and the circumstances of other people. 

Sometimes we are called upon by God to offer criticisms or suggestions to others. If so, we should have their good and their growth as Christians as our purpose. The goal of correcting others should be to leave a person better than he was before. Warren Wiersbe said, “The Pharisees judged and criticized others to make themselves look good. [Gossip fits into this category.] But Christians should judge themselves so they can help others look good.”

You know how it feels when you have something in your eye. It is irritating and painful. You want it removed as gently and painlessly as possible. You don’t want it to scratch or otherwise harm the eyeball, and you don’t want the process of removing it to hurt.

If we need to confront another person, we need to do it as gently and lovingly as possible so we don’t do more harm than good. Just as “a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down”, if we mix praise with advice it makes the correction easier for others to take. 

A good rule of thumb is to sandwich criticisms between two sections of praise, like putting a piece of bologna between two pieces of bread. Praise, then criticize, then praise again. But your praise should not be empty flattery. People don’t appreciate that. We can find truely praiseworthy attributes in almost anyone. Our praise should be recognition of positive valid characteristics of a person. When we affirm someone for their good traits, we leave them encouraged as well as corrected.

The reason for exercising discernment when looking at specks in the eyes of others is not to condemn them but to know the best way to minister to them. Think in terms of exhorting people to live up to their potential. That’s what parents do as they teach their children and help them mature. “Brush your teeth”; “take a bath”; “don’t chew with your mouth open”; et al. If exhortation is given with love and gentleness, it is more likely to be received than rejected, and a person becomes better for it.

Father, may I confess my sins and approach others with a sincere desire to help rather than a “holier than thou” attitude. And, may I be open to the helpful criticisms and suggestions of others. Amen.