Judge

Jesus famously said, "Judge not, lest you be judged" (Matt 7:1). I would contend that interpreting that as "Don't judge" violates the rest of what He said, but I want to focus the attention somewhere else. Jesus did say to judge.

"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (Matt 7:3)

Ouch! When Jesus warned against judging others, it was on this basis ... judge yourself first. As it turns out, it is a common theme in Scripture. Paul told the Corinthians, "Examine yourselves" (2 Cor 13:5) and the Galatian Christians to "Let each one test his own work" (Gal 6:3-4). Jeremiah urged his readers to "test and examine our ways" (Lam 3:40). Paul told the Roman Christians, "Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand" (Rom 14:4). David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way" (Psa 139:23-24). Paul wrote that we're supposed to restore "in the spirit of gentleness" a brother caught in a trespass with specific instructions to be "looking to yourself so that you too will not be tempted" (Gal 6:1).

It turns out we are supposed to judge ... but we're supposed to judge ourselves first. In His parable about the unforgiving servant (Matt 18:21-35), a servant is forgiven by the master for a large sum and then fails to forgive his fellow servant for a pittance. Jesus didn't consider that a good idea (Matt 18:34-35). Conversely, Jesus assured us that the one who is forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47). Maybe ... if we are careful ... we can judge ourselves first. We judge our own errors and see our own forgiven sins. We can then 1) correct our own errors (which are undoubtedly numerous) and 2) approach others with more love than judgmentalism.