Blind Judges

Matt. 7:1-5

Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, 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.

• On an "Are you a perfectionist?" scale of 1-10, with 10 as the top, how do you rate?
  
• What standard do you use when you judge others?
• By what standard will you be judged?
  
• How do you express your judgment of others?
• What image comes to mind when you read v. 4-5?
• Who do you find easiest to judge?
• What is your motivation when you judge others?

Harold's Musings:
I read a quote many years ago from an unknown author.

We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions.

This seems to be what Jesus is talking about. We tend to have our "I'm OK checklist" that we use to judge ourselves and others, but ignore the standard that God is going to use for everyone. Some of us hold ourselves to high, almost impossible standards and in turn hold others to the same standards. Some of us seem to bob through life tolerating everything, right or wrong. Jesus' warning here is about the standard that will be the key to the final exam. Oh and if you are betting on the grace standard, God expects you and me to use the same measure with others. Watch who you are judging out there today.