Recognition Through Guilt

The Narrow Path
Sep 15, 2023
2 min read

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 (Matthew 7:1-2, NIV).

I was recently driving home one evening when I saw a car in the distance slightly cross the centerline, and then immediately correct back to their lane. Instantly, I knew it was because they were on their phone. As our vehicles approached, I was correct–the driver was glancing back and forth between the road and their phone.

Recognition through guilt. I knew the cause, because I have done the exact same thing before.

I know we can all do a better job of being safe drivers, but I’m not here to condemn. My gut response could have been to judge, but this moment was a reminder from the Lord for me to do quite the opposite, actually.

Matthew 7: 1-2 says: “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.”

So much of the time we are able to recognize sin in others because we are, or have been, guilty of the very same thing.

Ugh. Put your phone down! That’s dangerous. I can’t believe someone would say something like that. Can you believe what he/she just did? I would never.

But truthfully, yes we would. And we probably have.

Though the example I spoke of may not specifically be considered sinful, it led me to pause and consider how I respond to the actions of others. Rather than judge, may I instead use it as an opportunity to reflect upon my own habits in a way that will stir my heart to change.

How many of us have quoted Matthew 7 when we feel like we are being judged? Yet, we forget these words of truth when we are the ones casting judgment upon others.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to walk a path of growth and healing that leads us to becoming more like Him in the way we talk, in the way we carry ourselves, and most importantly, in the way we treat others. The greatest commandment is to love God, and love your neighbor as yourself. Can we do that if we’re spending all our time judging others?

Take a few moments today and examine the world. It is blanketed with sin.

Now take a few moments to examine your own life. Is it blanketed with sin and judgment?

Going into this week, let us spend some time thinking about these questions.