One common vice has to do with judging and being judged. This was as common back in the day of Jesus as it is today. But judging can’t be all bad—normal thinking, moral people evaluate the behavior of others and it is considered wise to learn from others’ “mistakes.” In fact, even Jesus affirmed Peter’s “judging correctly” (Luke 7:43). The church is called to maturity in judging the behavior of its members, specifically that which is clearly immoral and blatant (1 Cor 6). Paul implies judging is required when he challenges “those who are spiritual” to “restore” a person “caught in a trespass” (Gal 6:1).

We all know, however, that at some point a line is crossed, most apparently when we are being wrongly “judged” by others. Jesus lays down a pithy statement in our passage, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged,” but He does not at all mean that we are not to make moral evaluation of others’ behavior. He in fact lays down the criterion for judging properly. “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” The problem has to do with dealing with others’ sin in a double standard and self-righteous sort of way.  To the observer, the fault in another is like a log, but Jesus says that fault is very small (a speck) in comparison with the fault in the life of the observer (which is rightly called a log). That should be the perspective of a follower of Christ, one who anticipates the kingdom of God. In other words, be concerned more with your own faults than the faults of others.

Comparing this with other Scripture, the principle is affirmed. Romans 14 warns against judging one another based on subjective applications of biblical truth. John 7:24 cautions against judging based on external appearances. James 2:4 speaks of judging with evil motives. If I truly love my brother, I will want to live in holiness, removing the faults in my life, so that I can see clearly to help him when he falls.