JUDGING OTHERS

Passage: Luke 6:37-42

Key verse: 37

NIV

Judging Others(A)

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.(B) Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.(C) 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.(D) For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”(E)

39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?(F) 40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.(G)

41 “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? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

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ESV

Judging Others

37 (A)(B)“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; (C)forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 (D)give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put (E)into your lap. For (F)with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

39 He also told them a parable: (G)“Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 (H)A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is (I)fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 (J)Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but (K)do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Forgive (37-38)

A self-centered person tends to protect himself by judging others. But we who have tasted God's mercy must not judge others. We must not condemn others. We must forgive, for we have been forgiven. We must be strict with ourselves and gracious toward others. Furthermore, we must overcome our selfishness by giving generously to others. When we live in this way, God will bless us. God treats us as we treat others.

2. Don't be blind (39-42)

Judging others comes from spiritual blindness. One who is spiritually blind can't help anyone. The plank in my eye that makes me blind can be removed by repentance and by training. God trains us--sometimes through his servants and sometimes through events. When I repent, God forgives me and heals my blindness. When the plank is removed, I can see. I can come close to God and discern his way; I can be freed of my selfishness and judgmental spirit and help someone else.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your forgiving mercy. Heal my blindness and use me.

One Word: First remove the plank