Matthew 7:1 in Context

Matthew 7:1 Out of Context: In the society we live in, people disagree over minor inconsistencies and then pull out this Scripture to note that they can do whatever they want when they desire, and no one should judge them. But shouting "Only God can judge me" is not holy, nor should it be used as a cop-out excuse to justify a misconstrued biblical theology. "Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1) In Context: In Matthew 7, Matthew writes a summary statement asking people to refrain from judging others around them without grave error or cause. Here, Biblical insights from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount deals with a call for righteousness over the Pharisees' intellectual decisions. While the Pharisees were preoccupied with the Law, they missed the Law standing in front of them, asking them to place away trivial affairs, and focus on what matters eternally (a relationship with Jesus!). With these commands, Jesus wanted to get to the heart of an individual. He wanted them to see that making oneself more righteous isn't only an irrevocable disgrace of grace but a way of living that brings turmoil, heartache, and despair. Application: Although many who quote this verse don't understand the context surrounding it, Jesus tells us that if we judge others without taking a close look at ourselves, nothing fruitful will be produced for them or us. When Mathew 7:1 says, "Judge not," the Scriptures are not proclaiming a free-all for ill-made intentions or sporadic decisions, but a grace with which we must choose to walk in daily. The Christian call is not to judge others but to show them love, and that starts with dealing with our sins and errors before we go pointing out the specks in others' hearts that sin differently than we do. I've heard it said, "Don't judge someone just because they sin differently than you." While that quote can also be taken out of context, I find it crucial to understand that while Scripture does not prohibit examining others' lives for helpful rebuke and teaching, that does not give us an excuse to do so with a severed and impure conscience. While the Great Commission calls us to make disciples and help others wage war against sin, Matthew 7 warns against these actions in self-righteousness or hypocrisy. Correcting someone else comes at the price of being judged ourselves, and though we strive to strengthen one another in our weaknesses, don't forget that to remove their speck, you have to be willing to pull out your log as well.