“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
- Matthew 7:1

We judge often, and we don’t want to 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 7:2

Jesus has the right to judge us but offers patience and a fresh start instead.

3 “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? 4 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? 5 You hypocrite…
- Matthew 7:3-5
2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said.“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
- John 8:2-11
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
- 2 Peter 3:9

Jesus is the Righteous Judge, and He teaches us a righteous way to judge.

1. We judge well by judging ourselves first.

5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye.
- Matthew 7:5

2. We judge others well with God’s love and by God’s standard.

...and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
- Matthew 7:5
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
- Matthew 7:15-17
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
- Matthew 7:12