Avoiding Condemnation
A Clear Warning from Christ of the Dangers of Judgement
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.” (NAB) Matt 7:1-5
Certainly, part of our thinking process involves making judgments. It is a good and natural attribute of our intellect that precedes reasoning. But what the Gospel is talking about here is “judgmentalism” by which one forms a disposition of condemnation against another. Christ, thus, issues a warning here.
Self-righteousness, and self-awareness was a problem then and a problem today, for it is a blinding pride often that causes us to become so judgmental against others as if we are sure of their condemnation. Yes, sin is sin and that is never good, but perfectionism in oneself is a blindness that is often used against others when we are blind ourselves. This is dangerous ground because ultimately, it is the prerogative of God on the day of judgment—and we would be better off not taking that role ourselves as humans. The warning is clear, “For as you judge, so will you be judged,
and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.”
Let us then use discernment via the Holy Spirit to first look at our shortcomings and then, in charity, after any self-issues are exposed, we can better offer correction or help to others. The rigid law back then needed Christ’s compassionate heart to temper its true meaning, and all true meaning is found in Christ. This is a very important gospel message because it addresses the pride found in judgmentalism instead of Christ’s message of humility and focus on one’s internal self by which the Father’s providence and loving thy neighbor properly are encompassed. For as Christ said, there may only be a splinter in your brother’s eye, but a beam in yours indicates that the risk of blind, prideful judgment is actually worse than what you are judging your neighbor for. So, it’s probably best to stay out of the judgment business and leave it to our all-knowing, loving and perfect God or risk one’s own condemnation.
