Jesus

September 22

Matthew 7:1-6

“Do not judge!”

Jesus and the disciples were spending some time alone on a hillside. As the disciples sat there listening, Jesus taught them truths about God’s kingdom. “Do not judge others, or you will be judged,” Jesus said. “For God will judge you in the same way that you judge others.

“Why do you get upset about the tiny speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, when you have a plank in your own eye? First take the plank out of your own eye, then you will be able to see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Should we correct someone who has a bad habit?

Jesus said that we should not judge others, because in God’s eyes, we are all sinners and do not have the right to judge. So how can we keep our friends from doing things that are wrong if we never say anything to them about their faults? Sometimes, we need to make someone aware of a bad habit, but we should always be careful how we do it.

Pointing out faults:

• is discouraging

• causes relationships to break down

• focuses only on failure and weaknesses.

Pointing out good ways to do things:

• makes the person aware of a problem in a sensitive way

• offers understanding and support

• gives hope for the future.

Pray for friends who have a bad habit. Show them what the Bible says about the right and wrong way to live, and set a good example for them to follow. Remember, you don’t need to judge someone—the Lord will take care of that.

Verse for today

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. 1 Corinthians 4:5a