The Measure of Grace
At first glance, it’s easy to misinterpret Matthew 7:1 as a pass to disregard accountability for sinful actions, a license to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing. But when we take a closer look, Jesus' words in this parable aren't an endorsement of moral indifference.
The Greek word "κρίνετε" (krinete), translated as "judge," means “to form a condemning opinion about someone without knowledge.”
Jesus isn't advocating against fair and righteous judgment (John 7:24). We know this because, in this same chapter of Matthew 7, Jesus tells His followers to judge (Matthew 7:16).
So, are we to judge, or are we not to judge?
Jesus cautions against judging others unfairly, we should instead lean on the Holy Spirit to practice good judgment.
This verse isn't a call for us to abandon discernment, though; rather, it's an invitation to wield it with compassion and understanding. It should compel Christ’s followers, even today, to reflect on the measure we use:
Are we quick to condemn or eager to discern with grace? Are our judgments tempered with empathy?
Think for a moment: Where have you been quick to condemn others without full understanding or accurate knowledge? How can you lead with compassion instead of a judgmental attitude?
Your Battle is Won
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your circumstances or wondered why you keep fighting the same struggle?
Jesus taught us that life as a Christ-follower will be difficult. Our world is filled with broken people—ourselves included—who do broken things. There will be trials and challenges.
When Adam and Eve decided to pursue something “good” apart from God, their decision allowed evil to enter the world. This means there is a spiritual battle that we cannot see, and it impacts our everyday lives.
When we give our lives to Jesus, we join His team—but this also means we become a target of the devil, our enemy. Every bad thing that happens to us is not necessarily a direct attack from Satan—sometimes it’s just a result of living in a fallen, broken world. But there is a spiritual element to every situation because the devil is always trying to draw the world away from God, and he is looking for people to destroy.
When struggles happen, the devil will try to get you to ...