How often do we point out and judge others’ sins – adultery, theft, murder, gossip etc… and think we’re not doing so bad. We’re good people. We generally try to do good. But Matthew 5:28 says, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” That is why we are told to take our thoughts captive because, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23) 

Let me ask you, when was the last time you got angry driving and called someone an idiot? Have you ever gone to a store and forgotten to put something on the belt to be scanned and realized it when you got back to the car? Did you go back in and pay for it? How about in Bible Study when you asked for a prayer request for someone and then proceeded to dump all their dirty laundry on the table? You see, according to the verses above, these are as bad as the “Big” sins. We can sit in our comfy homes, nice cars, and good jobs, and look down our noses at those who aren’t as “good” as us. According to Paul, we condemn ourselves when we do that. We fail to see the log in our own eye while trying to pluck the speck out of someone else’s.  

If you think I’m pointing fingers, please think again. You see the examples above were easy to think of because I’ve done them all. Slander, theft, gossip all done while being a “good” person. The person driving wasn’t an idiot they just inconvenienced me and so I got mad. I didn’t have time to go back in the store, and it was just a bottle of water. And while I wanted to pray for someone, what I really wanted was to show everyone that I had all the details of what was happening in this person’s life.  

I’m thankful that I have matured in my walk since the above examples. I have seen how self-centered and me-focused all of that was. But in order for me to keep from slipping into that finger-pointing judging, I MUST keep my focus on Jesus. My sinful flesh nature leans toward the trap of slander and gossip, but when I’m focused on my Savior and listening for His prompting, I can avoid the pitfalls of judging. And while self-reflection is one of my least favorite things to do, when I wrap it in prayer and focus it toward Jesus, He shows me where I’m slipping and gets me back on track.  

I encourage you to take some time right now to ask Jesus to show you where you have been quick to judge others and ask Him how to move forward.