Judging Others
Let’s explore judging others from a Christian perspective and discover what Jesus teaches us about compassion, forgiveness, and righteous discernment.
Big Picture Overview
Watch the Teaching
The teaching of Jesus on judging others is far deeper and more challenging than the simple phrase “do not judge” suggests.
While judgment is a natural part of human life, Jesus calls for a radical shift from condemnation to compassion. He does not abolish moral standards but insists they be applied with a focus on restoration and mercy, especially toward those marginalized by society.
The apparent contradiction in the Bible—between not judging and using discernment—resolves when we examine the posture of our hearts: are we condemning to feel superior, or discerning with love and humility?
Jesus’ famous teaching about removing the plank from our own eye before addressing the speck in another’s highlights the importance of self-examination and empathy. Practically, this means checking our motivations, approaching others with love and privacy, and always offering grace.
Living out these principles transforms relationships and communities, shifting our goal from winning arguments to building bridges, and ultimately, choosing grace over harsh judgment as a revolutionary act of love.
Outline
0:00 — Introduction: The Challenge of “Do Not Judge”
0:45 — The Nature of Judgment: Why We Judge
1:06 — The Danger of Labels: Building Walls
1:33 — Jesus’ Revolutionary Approach: Compassion Over Condemnation
1:52 — Not Abolishing Standards: Restoration, Not Rejection
2:13 — The Paradox: Compassion vs. Righteous Judgment
2:31 — The Heart of the Matter: Posture and Motivation
2:49 — The Mic Drop: The Plank and the Speck
3:08 — The Golden Rule: How We Want to Be Treated
3:28 — From Theory to Practice: Living Out the Teaching
4:08 — Three Action Steps: Self-Examination, Gentle Approach, Grace
4:48 — Building Bridges: Listening, Wisdom, and Humility
5:07 — The Final Challenge: Transforming Ourselves and Our Communities
5:30 — The Takeaway: Choosing Grace Over Judgment