The Boomerang Verdict

“Judge not, that ye be not judged” may be the most quoted verse in the Bible, usually by someone who wants to be left alone. But Jesus didn’t just say it. He gave reasons.

The first is that judgment comes back around. “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” The measuring cup you use on other people is the one God holds up to you.

The second is that we can’t see clearly. “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” We see the splinter in someone else and miss the board in our own face.

Paul adds a third: “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth.” They answer to God, not to you. That frees you to deal with your own beam, and to pray for them instead of ruling on them.