Day 20: Do Not Judge, or You Will Be Judged

📅 Date: March 24, 2025

📖 Scripture Reading:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." – Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)

📖 Reflection on Matthew 7:1-5:
In this passage, Jesus speaks directly about the danger of judging others. It's easy to notice the faults in others while overlooking our own shortcomings. Jesus uses the imagery of a plank and a speck to remind us of the hypocrisy that can arise when we judge others without first examining our own hearts. He calls us to self-reflection and humility, urging us to remove our own "plank" before pointing out the "speck" in someone else's life.

As we reflect on these words, let us remember that judgment is ultimately God’s role, and He will judge us with the same measure that we use toward others. This Lenten season offers us a perfect opportunity to examine our hearts and practice grace, forgiveness, and humility in our interactions with others.

💭 Reflect:

• Are there areas in your life where you find yourself judging others?
• How does the image of the plank and the speck challenge your own perspective on judgment?
• How can you practice humility and grace when dealing with others' shortcomings?

Self-Examination and Humility in Judgment
💔 The Danger of Hypocrisy: Jesus warns us against the hypocrisy of judging others while ignoring our own flaws. It’s easy to be critical of others, but it requires humility to recognize our own need for God’s grace and mercy.
🌟 Self-Reflection Over Judgment: Jesus calls us to focus on removing the "plank" from our own eye. This involves honest self-reflection, repentance, and a willingness to grow.
❤️ The Measure We Use: Jesus reminds us that the way we judge others will be the same way we are judged. We are encouraged to use mercy, kindness, and understanding in our judgments, as these are the qualities we would hope to receive from others. This measure is not about legalistic retribution, but about the natural consequences of our attitudes and actions.

Application:
1️⃣ Examine Your Heart: Take time today to reflect on areas where you may be quick to judge others. Ask God for clarity in recognizing your own faults before criticizing someone else.
2️⃣ Practice Grace and Mercy: Instead of being quick to criticize, practice extending grace to others. When you are tempted to judge, remind yourself that God is merciful and slow to anger.
3️⃣ Encourage Growth, Not Criticism: Rather than pointing out others' flaws, seek to encourage and support them in their growth. Focus on building others up rather than tearing them down.

🔍 Heart Check:

• Are there specific people or situations where you have been overly critical or judgmental? How can you shift your perspective and respond with more grace?
• Do you find it difficult to extend mercy to those who have hurt or disappointed you? Spend time in prayer, asking God to help you see others through His eyes.

📖 Scripture Meditation:
Read James 2:13 – "Mercy triumphs over judgment." Reflect on how God’s mercy has triumphed over your own failures and how you can extend that same mercy to others.

💡 Action Steps:

• Examine Your Actions: Today, take note of moments when you feel tempted to judge others. Instead, pause and reflect on your own actions and seek to respond with grace.
• Extend Grace: Find someone in your life, especially someone who has wronged you, who may be struggling and offer them words of encouragement, kindness, or a simple gesture of support.
• Pray for Humility: Ask God to help you approach others with humility, seeing their struggles through the lens of love and understanding, rather than criticism.

Prayer:
Let us humbly come before our judge and Father in prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the mercy You have shown me. I confess that I often judge others harshly, forgetting the grace that You have extended to me. Help me to see others through Your eyes, and give me the humility to reflect on my own shortcomings before I judge others. Teach me to extend mercy and grace in all my interactions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

🌟 Call to Action:
Take a moment today to reach out to someone you may have judged harshly in the past. Offer them encouragement, grace, and understanding, and seek to build a bridge of reconciliation.