Here Comes the Judge
Matthew 7:1-12
How do you judge people?
Photo taken from the bus
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye. “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you. “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. - Matthew 7:1-12
What lens or filter do you use when judging?
Over the past several months, while traveling the world on a cruise ship, I learned a great deal about the people and cultures of the twenty-nine countries and numerous ports we visited.
I always believed that seeing something with my own eyes reveals the truth. If I could just see it myself, I thought, I could be the judge.
In a way, I was like Thomas when he said he wanted to put his fingers in the holes in Jesus’s hands and his hand in his side.
Show me. Then I will believe.
But before we left the ship in each port, we had a port talk, a preview of what we would see and do in each place. The talks were helpful for us to understand how difficult or easy each excursion would be, and what we would experience when we left the ship.
The port talks included a brief history of the country or region, and some facts about the city and the people. We were warned that we would see severe poverty in some places, and we were told how important tourism is for the country and the people. In other words, we were presented with a lens or filter for our experience.
In addition to the port talks, there were lectures about the history, culture, religion, politics, and everything important to a world traveler.
But we were all visiting from a luxury cruise ship. We had paid a good deal of money for this trip. We were coming from a much different place than the people we were about to meet. So, we already had expectations planted in our minds.
We saw what we were told we would see.
What we are primed to see, we see. Our judgment can become tainted. Now, there will be some who read this and want to challenge me for making it sound like our perspective about what we saw was tainted. They will point out that we did see severe poverty in some places, a lot of places, actually, and we can agree on that.
What I saw, though, was the hope and resilience of some of the people living in that poverty. It made me want to support their businesses and provide opportunities for them to grow and prosper. I saw potential everywhere.
Sp, what I think Jesus is warning us about when he says to check the log in our own eye, is not just about our flaws and sins, but about our perceptions and prejudices.
We need to check those at the door before entering, and that is not easy. We cannot stop ourselves from feeling emotions. What we can recognize is how and when someone uses our emotions to get us to act. The choice and method need to be ours, not pressured by others.
More to come...
The stories we tell ourselves ... about self and others! During my clinical psychology practice days and now when coaching and consulting the frequent culprit is judging. Judging self or SDS (self-directed shoulds), e.g., I SHOULD BE a better parent, friends, employee, etc. OR more likely judging others or ODS (other directed shoulds, e.g., they SHOULD do what I want them to do, they SHOULD appreciate me more, etc.). I wkld on USA (unconditionals self-acceptance) and acceptance of otheres daily. This does not mean that I have to like or approve actions, behaviors, etc. (damning the deed and not the doer), but it does me "judging not" self and others. We have all sinned and fallen short!