The Log–Speck Syndrome Part 2
The Real Meaning of Judgment
Matthew 7:4-5 (CSB) How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the splinter out of your eye,” and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.
Jesus says the “log” in your eye is blocking your vision. What is that log? It’s your judgments.
Matthew 7:1-2 (CSB) Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.
The Greek word here (krinō)—means to condemn motives, to assume you know the “why” behind someone’s actions.
But Paul uses a different word:
1 Corinthians 2:15 (KJV) He that is spiritual judges all things.
The Greek word here (anakrinō)—means to examine, discern, investigate carefully.
• Godly judgment = discernment.
• Sinful judgment = assumption of motives.
• It’s right to examine, test, and discern.
• It’s wrong to assume you know why.
Romans 2:1 (CSB) When you judge another, you condemn yourself.
• I didn’t get invited → I don’t matter.
You judged yourself insignificant before you ever judged them.
• They didn’t text back → They don’t care.
You judged yourself unworthy before you ever judged them.
• My boss walks past me → I’m not good enough.
You judged yourself a failure before you ever judged him.
Every judgment I make on you is really a verdict I’ve already written on myself. I think I’m judging you—but I’m actually judging me.
1 Corinthians 13:7 (AMPC) Love... is ever ready to believe the best of every person.
• I didn’t get invited → Maybe they just forgot.
• They didn’t text back → They must have been busy.
• My boss didn’t talk to me → He’s got a lot on his plate.
That’s the difference between judging motives and godly discernment.
If I truly think something may be wrong, I don’t assume—I communicate.
Matthew 18:15 (CSB) If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone.
We don’t judge, we communicate.
Wrong Judgment Blinds You
• When I judge motives (krinō), I can’t see people as they are.
• I see them through the fog of my own insecurity.
• Instead of drawing near, I pull away.
The log isn’t in them. The log is in me.
• My judgments reinforce my fears and insecurities.
• By judging you, I step into the pain of that judgment.
• The measure I use is the measure of pain I experience.
Godly Judgment Brings Discernment
• It looks at reality with the Spirit’s eyes, not with my insecurity.
• It doesn’t assume motives, it investigates in love.
• Instead of pulling away, it draws near in communication.
Judgment isolates. Communication restores.
Imagine a courtroom where the verdict is written before the trial. That’s what we do—we sentence people before we know the facts.
God’s Cure: Kindness and Communication
Romans 2:4 (CSB) Do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
God doesn’t heal me by condemning me—He heals me by affirming my identity.
Look at Adam:
Genesis 3:8-11, 21 (CSB) Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” ... 21 The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.
• God drew near in love.
• God gave Adam the benefit of the doubt.
• God covered his shame.
God didn’t condemn Adam—He came to him, He called for him, and He covered him.
Ask yourself:
• Where have I been assuming motives instead of discerning truth?
• Who have I condemned in my heart without ever talking to them?
Homework:
Write down one false judgment you’ve made this week.
• “They didn’t call me because they don’t care.”
Rewrite it with truth:
• “I am loved by God. Maybe they were overwhelmed. I will come closer, I will call with love, and I will cover with grace.”
It’s not God. It’s not the devil. It’s not my neighbor.
The Real Meaning of Judgment
Matthew 7:4-5 (CSB) How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the splinter out of your eye,” and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.
Jesus says the “log” in your eye is blocking your vision. What is that log? It’s your judgments.
Matthew 7:1-2 (CSB) Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.
The Greek word here (krinō)—means to condemn motives, to assume you know the “why” behind someone’s actions.
But Paul uses a different word:
1 Corinthians 2:15 (KJV) He that is spiritual judges all things.
The Greek word here (anakrinō)—means to examine, discern, investigate carefully.
• Godly judgment = discernment.
• Sinful judgment = assumption of motives.
• It’s right to examine, test, and discern.
• It’s wrong to assume you know why.
Romans 2:1 (CSB) When you judge another, you condemn yourself.
• I didn’t get invited → I don’t matter.
You judged yourself insignificant before you ever judged them.
• They didn’t text back → They don’t care.
You judged yourself unworthy before you ever judged them.
• My boss walks past me → I’m not good enough.
You judged yourself a failure before you ever judged him.
Every judgment I make on you is really a verdict I’ve already written on myself. I think I’m judging you—but I’m actually judging me.
1 Corinthians 13:7 (AMPC) Love... is ever ready to believe the best of every person.
• I didn’t get invited → Maybe they just forgot.
• They didn’t text back → They must have been busy.
• My boss didn’t talk to me → He’s got a lot on his plate.
That’s the difference between judging motives and godly discernment.
If I truly think something may be wrong, I don’t assume—I communicate.
Matthew 18:15 (CSB) If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone.
We don’t judge, we communicate.
Wrong Judgment Blinds You
• When I judge motives (krinō), I can’t see people as they are.
• I see them through the fog of my own insecurity.
• Instead of drawing near, I pull away.
The log isn’t in them. The log is in me.
• My judgments reinforce my fears and insecurities.
• By judging you, I step into the pain of that judgment.
• The measure I use is the measure of pain I experience.
Godly Judgment Brings Discernment
• It looks at reality with the Spirit’s eyes, not with my insecurity.
• It doesn’t assume motives, it investigates in love.
• Instead of pulling away, it draws near in communication.
Judgment isolates. Communication restores.
Imagine a courtroom where the verdict is written before the trial. That’s what we do—we sentence people before we know the facts.
God’s Cure: Kindness and Communication
Romans 2:4 (CSB) Do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
God doesn’t heal me by condemning me—He heals me by affirming my identity.
Look at Adam:
Genesis 3:8-11, 21 (CSB) Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” ... 21 The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.
• God drew near in love.
• God gave Adam the benefit of the doubt.
• God covered his shame.
God didn’t condemn Adam—He came to him, He called for him, and He covered him.
Ask yourself:
• Where have I been assuming motives instead of discerning truth?
• Who have I condemned in my heart without ever talking to them?
Homework:
Write down one false judgment you’ve made this week.
• “They didn’t call me because they don’t care.”
Rewrite it with truth:
• “I am loved by God. Maybe they were overwhelmed. I will come closer, I will call with love, and I will cover with grace.”
It’s not God. It’s not the devil. It’s not my neighbor.
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