“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged. For with the judgment you use, you will be judged; and the measure you use will be used to measure you.” (Matthew 7:1–2). Jesus spoke these words in the context of the following verse: “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3).

Here He reveals the human tendency to criticize others’ actions and character, rather than seeing the “log”—the large piece of wood—in one’s own eye. He opposed such judgment. Jesus Himself testified: “I do not judge anyone.” (John 8:15).

The Bible shows just how incapable we humans are of judging others fairly: “Therefore, whoever you are, O man, who judges another, you have no excuse; for by judging another, you condemn yourself; since you, who judge another, do the very same things” (Romans 2:1). It can be tempting for us to think that we are better than others. But if we believe such things, we are deceiving ourselves. The same sinful tendencies dwell within our human nature, and if we judge others, those very same sins will have power over our lives.

Paul explains how we can be set free from our sinful nature, which has bound the entire human race ever since Adam’s fall. “If we were to judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:31–32). If we choose to stop judging others and start judging ourselves, a whole new life begins!

When we begin to examine our thoughts, words, and actions before God, then His Spirit will shed light on the hidden thoughts and motives that are not pure in His eyes. We will realize that what we think, say, or do is far from perfect, and we need serious help to be saved from our own sin!

When we receive this light, we can arm ourselves with the Word of God, which we can use as weapons to fight against the sin that dwells in our human nature. This is what it means to “walk in the light”: “But if we walk in the light, just as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another; and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.” In this way, we will escape God’s judgment, which is coming upon the world because of sin. Our sin can be judged and condemned now, and we can be completely set free from it! (1 John 1:7).

When we focus on judging ourselves and on being set free from our own sin, then there is no longer any room to judge others, and we are willing to help them. We may still be tempted to have critical thoughts, but we must be ready to reject them immediately.

The truth is that we cannot help anyone by judging them or pointing out their mistakes, but we can help them by judging ourselves and seeking to bring light into their lives: “Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching you give to others; persevere in these things, for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you” (1 Timothy 4:16).

Once we are freed from our own sin, we become better able to love and care for those around us. Then we can fulfill the Lord Jesus’ exhortation: “First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5) Once we have dealt with and put an end to our own sin, we can help others by using the same words that have helped us and by bringing light into their lives. May God help us to spread His light around us through our personal example. Amen!