Judgment - Remembering The Plank In Our Own Eyes

Elon Musk recently suspended Ye’s Twitter account over remarks he made that were considered to incite violence, breaking Twitter’s rule about such content. Musk previously tweeted to Ye, encouraging him not to respond critically to others and pointing him to Jesus's teachings in the New Testament. "Jesus taught love, kindness and forgiveness," Musk said on Wednesday. "I used to think that turning the other cheek was weak & foolish, but I was the fool for not appreciating its profound wisdom."

Oftentimes I hear people quoting the Bible to make a point about not judging others. They’ll say something like, “Judge not others”. But in almost every instance I get the feeling they’re pulling scripture out of context and missing a critical point - that is, pointing the finger at others without first remembering their own need for forgiveness. 

Here’s the full text of what Jesus said about it. Pay close attention to the latter part of the passage and consider what’s in your own eye (Note: Rest assured, I’m not just pointing the finger at others, I fully understand I’m just as in need of forgiveness as the next person). Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. (Here it is) 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? 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? 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 (Matthew 7:1-5).

When we call for forgiveness, let’s always remember that forgiveness starts with us - that is, our need for forgiveness. Let’s be careful not to simply point the finger at others to forgive, and not remember our own need for forgiveness from God.

It all starts with remembering our own sin and need for forgiveness, along with God’s unwavering mercy…

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive (Colossians 3:13).

One of Jesus’s many parables addresses this and provides a striking illustration for us to remember. It is The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant. Here is the full parable (Matthew 18:23-35):

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he could pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Let’s never forget the plank in our own eye, our need for God’s forgiveness, and God’s unfailing love and great compassion. In our calls for non-judgment and forgiveness, let’s always remember that we receive mercy and forgiveness to the extent we offer it.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy (Matthew 5:7).

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven (Luke 6:36-37).