Recently, I heard a podcast on which someone was asked what the first verse of the Bible was that they memorized. The answer was “do not judge.” He said he had learned that verse before he was even a Christian and used it to combat Christians who judged his life at the time. This represents a common misunderstanding of this passage. Most people think it’s about not judging others in general. However, it states that you should not judge since you also will be judged in the same way. The problem is not helping others see the “speck” in their eye; the problem is we never deal with the “log” in our own eye. As a matter of fact, Jesus says in verse five that you should first remove the log from your eye. Then you can help with the speck.

Throughout this sermon, Jesus has been teaching about the difference between outward religion and acceptance by others vs. inward righteousness and focus on our Father. With his statement about judging, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter. When we judge others, we are focused on what is happening externally. We’re focused on what others are doing or not doing and how that compares to what we are doing or not doing. God wants us to look at ourselves from the inside out: To be righteous internally and to seek and trust God, to love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and, in so doing, to love others.

Jesus does not want his followers just to be more religious people, following laws and trying to look good before others. He is not asking for legalism, but too often this is where following him can lead. Jesus wants each of us to look inward, grow in his love and grace and then extend that love to others. Our outward work then does not become something for show or a standard to judge others by. It becomes a reflection of the unconditional love and grace Jesus has shown us.