Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged
“Judge not, lest ye be judged” is a well-known saying, often misinterpreted as a blanket prohibition against all judgment. However, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:1-5), Jesus uses this saying to warn against condemning others, especially when one has similar flaws.
The Greek word translated as “judge” can mean both “to discern” and “to condemn.” Jesus’s teaching emphasizes humility, self-awareness, and compassion, urging followers to focus on their own shortcomings before criticizing others.
The phrase is often taken as a universal ban on any form of judgment, but Jesus is specifically addressing condemning others, particularly those who are quick to point out flaws in others while ignoring their own.
In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus uses the analogy of a “speck” in someone else’s eye versus a “plank” in your own to illustrate hypocrisy. He’s saying that before you try to remove a small flaw in someone else, you should address the larger, more obvious flaw in yourself.
The intention is not to eliminate all judgment but to promote self-reflection and humility. Jesus encourages people to be discerning and to make righteous judgments, but not with a spirit of condemnation or hypocrisy.
The saying also serves as a warning. When you judge others harshly, you will be judged by the same standard. The measure you use to judge others will be the measure used against you.
This teaching encourages compassion and empathy in our interactions with others. It calls for recognizing our own imperfections and approaching others with love and understanding, rather than condemnation.”
JOY LIFTS ME UP
JOY LIFTS EVERYONE
JOY MAKES ME SMILE
JOY NOURISHES MY SOUL
JOY BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS
JOY SOFTENS THE IMPENETRABLE
JOY
NO JUDGMENT | J O Y
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