The Kingdom ManifestoSample

Judging (Without Judging)

How often have we seen a well-known minister removed from their position due to a moral failing—the same sort of failing the same minister used to rail against from the pulpit?

It’s easy to get frustrated with this hypocrisy, and certainly we hold ministers to a higher standard (James 3:1)—but Jesus’ teaching doesn’t allow us to let ourselves off the hook here.

With the measure you judge others, you will be judged. Those who are harsh with others’ sins will have their own sins dealt with harshly.

Today’s passage is one of Jesus's best-known sayings. Even people far from God may not know much about the Bible, but they know Jesus tells us not to judge others.

Usually, this comes up when Christians start calling sin “sin.” And since Jesus has no problem confronting sin, He can’t mean we should stop doing so out of fear of “not judging.”

We can and should judge right from wrong, holy from unholy, biblical from unbiblical. This is right and consistent with Scripture.

Men of the Kingdom should know what is good, but because it is an Upside-Down Kingdom, they should also judge rightly, unlike the rest of the world.

The broader context of the passage gives us some clarity.

First, we judge, but remember mercy. If we want mercy measured to us when our sin is judged, we should extend the same to others (Matthew 7:12). By all means, let us be clear on right and wrong—and let us mercifully and patiently work with others towards holiness, remembering that we too are sinners and may fall into the same things (Galatians 6:1).

Second, don’t focus on others’ sins until you have dealt with your own (Matthew 7:3-5; James 2:12-13). It’s easy to obsess over others’ failures and become self-righteous about how they are falling short.

But we rarely get so irritated with our sins.

This is a double standard, making us the very definition of hypocrites.

Jesus tells us our top priority is dealing with our own stuff. Before you go fishing for the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, you'd better make sure you’ve pulled the plank out of your own eye first.

Then—and only then—is your vision clear enough to help someone out of their sin.

Men of the Kingdom do judge right from wrong—beginning with themselves, then calling out others’ sins with mercy, and gently restoring the sinner.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for focusing on others’ sins instead of my own. Help me make my own sin my top priority to work on. As I work on myself, grant me the grace to gently and mercifully help others find freedom from their sin. Amen.

Reflection: What is the #1 sin in your life that needs attention right now? Take some time to bring it before the Lord today in repentance and seek a path towards freedom.