Read On

1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "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? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. 6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. “Read On” “Do not judge or you too will be judged.” These words of Jesus are often taken out of this context and used by folks to live how they want without any accountability. Like any verse in the Bible they should not be plucked out of the context. The media today loves to take sound bites out of the context in which they were shared and spin them into a sensational story. To be fair one should listen to the rest of the story. Read on. Jesus tells us that however we judge people, we will be judged the same way. He is encouraging us to treat one another fair. He doesn’t say that we’ll never judge anyone, because there is a purpose in judging fairly. He’s like, “you’ve got your own issues, don’t be wagging your finger at them in some haughty way.” At least be honest that you’re not perfect when you are trying to help a brother or sister out. We all do crazy stuff and get off track from time to time. So we do need a friend to stand in the gap. We need a friend that is wise or has a discerning spirit to intervene; and this takes some judging the situation. Jesus wants to make sure that we do so with pure motives. It is best to get prayed up and cleaned up with your own stuff as you approach the one you are trying to help in humility (and help is the key word, we’re not slamming someone). These are sensitive situations and very hard to deal with in the first place. You come keenly aware that you are one forgiven and saved by the grace of God. Do your best in love.---However, you may find that the person is not open for godly counsel, and it could be like you are throwing “pearls to pigs.” You are not obligated to stay and be trampled or you might get “torn to pieces.” ---Do we give up on people? I don’t think so. We may move out of their way, because they still have some learning in the “school of hard-knocks.” Yet, I believe we keep praying in hope that they turn around. Jesus does not tell us to leave our brain at the door. Use common sense of discernment. Deal with such situations with utmost humility. Pray with all your heart, and be ready for a comeback.