Don’t judge me!
The full video of this teaching is available at the bottom of this post and this link.
BUFFETS AND JUDGMENT
We've all navigated the buffet line, filling our plates, before heading back to the table to toss out one of these comments;
"There are so many choices; I didn't know where to start!"
"My eyes are bigger than my stomach."
"Did you see the fried chicken? It looks incredible. I’ll go back up and get some!"
As everyone else trickles back to the table over the next few minutes, there's this unspoken moment where we look at each other's plates. And sure enough, you'll start hearing things like;
"My diet starts Monday. So, I am going to enjoy this."
"You have to try a little bit of everything, right? That's the whole point of a buffet."
"I’ve worked out extra hard this week; I deserve this."
We know what they are really saying. “Don’t judge me!” It's a collective acknowledgment that being at a buffet is a special occasion—an opportunity to celebrate, indulge, and not take one's food choices too seriously. We all want buffets to be the Planet Fitness of the restaurant world - a judgment-free zone. We want to enjoy our meals without feeling self-conscious about our choices or quantities. So, let's raise our forks in solidarity and dive into that pile of mashed potatoes, followed by cobbler and ice cream!
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.”
DON’T JUDGE ME
We all resonate with this verse because nobody likes feeling judged. You know that moment when someone's judgmental glance hits your buffet plate? It's like being caught in the harsh beam of a police helicopter spotlight, exposing our vulnerability. That feeling puts us on the defensive, and depending on who we are, we might either shrink back or snap back in response. “I see you admiring my plate. When I return to the buffet, would you like me to grab you a scoop of none-ya-business?”
Even the most unchurched atheist will quote Jesus on one thing: "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged." It's their way of saying that Christians shouldn't be making any moral judgments about anyone’s behavior.
Over the years, I've heard many atheists put it like this: You Christians talk a big game about love and acceptance, but often, your actions tell a different story. You’re quick to lay down the law on right and wrong, yet don't seem to notice the judgment and hypocrisy cluttering up your own backyard.
Are the atheists making a strong point? Or is their application of Jesus’ words out of context?
Then you've got some Christians who pull out Jesus' words, "Do not judge," like a free pass against any accountability or correction. They argue that everyone sins, so nobody's in a position to call out or confront someone else's actions.
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged” taken out of context is laced with subtext:
You’re not my moral authority.
Don’t think less of me for what I am doing.
You’re not better than me.
It’s not your place to criticize my choices or behavior.
Jesus’ words have been misused by many as a “shield” for destructive behavior and attitudes.
THOSE PHARISEES YET AGAIN
In the Gospels, Jesus frequently calls out the Pharisees for their glaring hypocrisy and the unattainable standards they set. Known for harshly judging those who fell short of their expectations, they simultaneously neglected the standards set by God - a clear case of legalism. Essentially, the harshest judgment falls upon those who deliberately ignore their own significant misdeeds while zeroing in on the minor transgressions of others.
Imagine a Pharisee as he strides through the marketplace with an air of superiority. His eyes, sharp and scrutinizing, fall upon a man struggling to carry a heavy load on the Sabbath—a clear violation of their strict interpretation of the law that prohibits work on this holy day.
The Pharisee, seizing the opportunity to affirm his own righteousness, publicly berates the man. "How dare you desecrate the Sabbath with your labor?" he exclaims, drawing a crowd. "You show blatant disregard for the commandments, a sinner in the eyes of God and man!"
Yet, this very Pharisee, so quick to condemn the man for his minor infraction, is guilty of a far greater neglect of God's commandments. In his zeal to enforce the letter of the law, he overlooks the spirit of the law—love, mercy, and compassion. He tithes meticulously from his wealth yet passes by the poor and needy without a second glance. He prays loudly on street corners for all to see yet harbors pride and contempt in his heart.
To these kinds of people, Jesus says in Luke 6:41-42, “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
The absurdity of someone trying to remove a speck of sawdust from another's eye while oblivious to a log in their own eye is meant to be absurd and funny. It was obviously hyperbole to embed this truth so deep into the hearts of listeners that it couldn't be easily forgotten.
Jesus’ teaching cuts to the heart of a common human dilemma: our tendency to judge others more harshly than ourselves. It's a natural inclination to scrutinize the actions of others while giving ourselves a pass. But Jesus flips this on its head, calling His followers to a higher standard of introspection, humility, and grace.
REMOVING THE LOG FROM OUR EYE
The call to first remove the log from our own eye is not just about seeing more clearly to help others; it's a radical invitation to transformation. It's about acknowledging our brokenness before God, recognizing our need for His grace, and extending grace to others from that place of humility. This doesn't mean ignoring sin or wrongdoing but approaching one another with the understanding and compassion we ourselves need.
Do you want to grow rapidly in your response to Jesus’ challenge in Luke 6:41-42? By weaving reflective questions into your prayer time, God can shed light on the deeper motives driving your inclination to judge. This practice creates space in your week for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the needs in your own life while at the same time giving you a more compassionate and understanding approach toward others. Here are several questions you might consider asking God during your prayer time. Pause and reflect with a listening heart for guidance from God on this matter.
"Lord, what insecurities or fears within me are leading me to judge others?"
"Father, how have my past experiences influenced my judgments about people?"
"God, where is my heart not aligned with Your love and compassion?"
"Jesus, help me understand—am I projecting my faults onto others?"
"Holy Spirit, reveal to me the source of my critical spirit. Is it pride, jealousy, or something else?"
"Lord, in what ways have I failed to see others as You see them?"
"Jesus, show me how to replace my judgmental thoughts with prayers of intercession for those I judge."
"God, teach me to find my identity and security in You rather than comparing myself to others."
As you ask these questions, approach them with an open heart, ready to receive whatever insights the Holy Spirit may provide. Remember, the goal of these questions in your prayer time is not to induce guilt but to foster growth, understanding, and a deeper capacity to love as Jesus loves. Let's do so to remove the logs from our own eyes.
A CLOSING DISCLAIMER
Removing the log from our eye isn't about ignoring the importance of helping our fellow followers of Jesus confront their sins; it's actually about getting ourselves ready to offer real, effective support down the line. By dealing with our own issues, we ensure our spiritual coaching is genuine and free from any hint of hypocrisy or self-righteousness. Our journey today sets the stage for future teachings, where we explore how to lovingly and effectively help our brothers and sisters in Christ on their journeys toward spiritual growth.
©2024 Greg McNichols, All rights reserved.
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