Plank Out, Then Judge

One of the most common and trite quotations of the Bible is “Judge not, lest you be judged” (Matt. 7:1). Even people who can write “damnation” in the dust covering their Bible (HT: LG)  seem to have this verse memorized. It’s employed whenever someone wants to stop someone else from making an ethical judgment, and in doing so they make a judgment–“Don’t do that, I’m telling you it’s wrong.” So it’s contradictory, but still incorrect.

Jesus isn’t teaching us to refrain from ethical judgments. In Matthew 7 he says whatever standard of judgment you use for others, the same will be applied to you (7:2). He forbids hypocrisy. The solution to hypocritical judgment isn’t to remove judgment altogether anymore than the antidote for stealing is to stop convicting thieves. What’s needed is a just police force and unbribeable judges. In the plank-speck analogy, Jesus says to get the plank out your own eye so that you can help get the speck out of your brother’s eye (7:5). Repent yourself, then you will be qualified to help someone else.

We are in dire need of wise and true judgment, which means we are in dire need of repentance. Sound judgment and integrity necessarily follow true repentance. Just a few verses later Jesus talks about identifying (judging) wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15-20). Why do churches tolerate wolves masquerading as sheep? Why is the US Treasury run by someone who won’t pay his own taxes? It’s hard to see with eyes full of wood. But for those with integrity, de-planked and walking in the light, judgment is a must. It must be wise and charitable, governed by the golden rule (7:12), but then players are obvious: “You will know them by their fruits” (7:20).

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