The Parables of Jesus

DON'T JUDGE, LEST YOU BE JUDGED

Luke 6:37-42  [37] "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  [38] Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  [39] He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?  [40] A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.  [41] "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?  [42] How can you say to your brother, `Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

"What points does the Parable Don't Judge, Lest You Be Judged make?"

We should not be so busy criticizing others that we fail to see our own faults.

We should be kind and forgiving, not harsh and judgmental.

If we are generous with others, others will be generous with us.  Also, God will be generous with us.

"As you sow, so shall you reap."

"What goes around comes around."

"... forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us ..."  If we forgive others, God will forgive us.  If we refuse to forgive others, God will refuse to forgive us.

"Does 'Don't Judge Lest You Be Judged' mean we shouldn't serve on juries, send people to prison, and so on?"

No.  This is not talking about criminal activities that are a threat to society.  Nor is it talking about spiritual activities that are a threat to the church and society at large, such as teaching false doctrines.  Paul clearly condemned specific people for false teachings.  He rebuked Peter for Peter's refusal to eat with Gentiles when the "head honchos" from Jerusalem visited.  This is saying don't judge a person's eternal destiny, don't nitpick, be kind, don't be a hypocrite, and don't hold grudges.  Indeed, people who do those kinds of things hurt themselves in the long run because they develop a critical, divisive spirit that poisons their own relationships with others.