Matthew 7:1-12
7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL
VERSION ®. NIV®. COPYRIGHT © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by
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In this passage, Jesus teaches about our tendency to be judgmental and condemn others in a manner that shows a lack of awareness of our own sinfulness. Rather than being judgmental, we are to acknowledge our own brokenness and recognize that, like Paul, we are the chief of sinners. Then, with the help of our heavenly Father, we can move towards others with tenderness and empathy as we seek to love them as ourselves.
Discussion Questions
- In what situation(s), are you prone to be judgmental?
- How does our tendency to be judgmental reflect a heart unchanged by the grace of God?
- How does this tendency damage our witness?
- How does regularly confessing and acknowledging your own sins lead to greater empathy for others?
- Where do you need to ask the Lord for help and guidance in this area?
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